The Government of India has made a request for smartphone manufacturers to preload the Aadhaar app on all newly released devices in the country. The Aadhaar program provides biometric identity verification for approximately 1.34 billion registered users. However, major manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, and Google have raised objections to this proposal. This development follows opposition to a similar requirement involving the Sanchar Saathi app just weeks prior.

According to reports, the union government suggested the preloading of the Aadhaar app to smartphone makers in January 2026. The request was initiated by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the authority responsible for overseeing the Aadhaar initiative. UIDAI asked the Ministry of Information Technology to hold discussions with mobile manufacturers, including prominent names like Apple and Samsung, concerning this proposal.

If implemented, this initiative would mean that all smartphones sold in India would come with the Aadhaar app installed by default, similar to other built-in applications like the clock or calculator.

Manufacturers’ Association Raises Issues

Reports indicate that the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), representing various smartphone makers, has opposed the government’s proposal. Apple and Samsung have particularly emphasized concerns related to safety and privacy, citing issues voiced during earlier discussions about the Sanchar Saathi mandate. MAIT has pointed out that preloading the Aadhaar app would necessitate maintaining separate production lines for devices meant for the Indian market compared to those intended for export, potentially leading to logistical challenges. An internal correspondence from MAIT dated January 13 highlighted that this initiative would “not drive greater public good.”

Government’s Rationale for the Aadhaar App

The Aadhaar app was launched by UIDAI in January 2026, enabling users to update personal information, manage family profiles, and secure biometric data against misuse. The government justifies the need for pre-installation by arguing that it would improve accessibility, allowing citizens to utilize Aadhaar features without the requirement of downloading the app separately. Aadhaar serves as a 12-digit unique identity number, primarily linked to biometric information of over 1.34 billion residents, and is extensively used for identity verification in various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and airport access. Concerns over past data leaks from the Aadhaar program, which exposed personal information of millions, have also been noted.

Comparison with Sanchar Saathi Proposal

This recent request for the Aadhaar app follows the government’s retraction of the Sanchar Saathi mandate, indicating similarities between the two situations. However, differences do exist. The Sanchar Saathi initiative initially aimed to enforce the preinstallation of an application, whereas the Aadhaar app’s proposal appears to be more of an appeal than a directive. The Sanchar Saathi app was intended to be pre-installed on even older devices through software updates, with users having no option to uninstall it. In contrast, there has been no indication that similar measures will be applied to the Aadhaar app.

Potential for More State-Sponsored Apps

It has been reported that the Aadhaar app represents just one of several state-sponsored applications that various smartphone manufacturers have contested. Among these is the Sachet app, designed for disaster alerts. MAIT formally opposed the preinstallation of the Sachet app in a communication sent to a senior official in the Indian IT ministry on March 10, 2026. The approach taken by India stands in contrast to that of other democratic nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, which typically do not impose mandatory pre-installation of government applications but instead prioritize regulatory frameworks and voluntary security measures.

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