The Indian government has announced that it will not require smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, to preload the Aadhaar biometric identification app on their devices. This decision follows a review by the IT ministry, which concluded that mandating the app’s preinstallation was not favorable.
Aadhaar Overview
Aadhaar is a unique 12-digit identification number issued to residents of India, currently assigned to over 1.34 billion individuals. The Aadhaar system links this number to biometric data, including an individual’s image, fingerprints, and iris scans, serving as a proof of identity and residence. It is utilized for various purposes, including accessing government benefits, banking services, tax identification, and mobile connections.
Government’s Proposal and Industry Response
The Unique Identification Authority of India had previously requested the IT ministry to engage in discussions with tech companies regarding the potential mandatory preinstallation of the Aadhaar app. However, after consulting with stakeholders from the electronics industry, the IT ministry decided against pursuing this requirement.
Over the past two years, the Indian government has made several attempts to have smartphone manufacturers preinstall state-owned applications. Reports indicate that Apple has consistently resisted these requests, citing concerns over privacy and security.
Previous Attempts at Preinstallation
In late 2025, the Indian Department of Communications had issued a directive requiring smartphone companies to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi app, which allows users to block stolen devices, report fraudulent calls, and verify second-hand phones. Apple declined to comply with this requirement, leading to the government dropping the issue. The same rationale was applied to the Aadhaar app, with Apple expressing similar security concerns.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
