Sanchar Saathi Helps Recover Record 75,000 Lost and Stolen Mobile Phones in a Single Month

The Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi platform has helped recover more than 75,000 lost and stolen mobile handsets across India in a single month, marking the highest monthly recovery since the initiative was launched.

Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia hailed the milestone, highlighting the coordinated efforts of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), telecom service providers and police departments across States and Union Territories.

The achievement reflects a sharp improvement in the effectiveness of the system. According to DoT, monthly handset recoveries increased by 201% between April 2025 and July 2026, supported by closer coordination between its Digital Intelligence Unit, field-level Licensed Service Areas and police authorities.

Several improvements have been introduced to accelerate recovery. Citizens now receive details of the police station handling the traceability process through SMS, email and the Sanchar Saathi portal and app. Police authorities are also provided information relating to SIM cards inserted into reported devices, including alternate contact numbers wherever available.

DoT has additionally advised users to perform a factory reset on recovered handsets as a precaution against possible malware or unauthorised software installed while the device was missing.

Sanchar Saathi uses an indigenous digital platform with automated workflows and real-time device traceability. Citizens can report a lost or stolen handset through the Sanchar Saathi portal or mobile application. Once reported, the handset can be blocked from accessing Indian telecom networks, reducing the possibility of misuse.

If someone subsequently attempts to use the blocked device with another SIM card, the telecom network can detect the activity and generate alerts that assist both the citizen and police authorities in tracing and recovering the handset.

The initiative forms part of the Government’s broader effort to strengthen digital security and protect citizens from mobile-related fraud and misuse while providing a technology-driven mechanism for recovering lost digital assets.

For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dot.app.sancharsaathi

For iOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/sanchar-saathi/id6739700695

Source: PIB: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2304336&reg=48&lang=1