How to Block a Lost or Stolen Phone in India Using CEIR

If your phone is lost or stolen in India, you can block it on every telecom network through the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal (the CEIR system). You need a police complaint number, a replacement SIM for your lost number to receive the OTP, and an ID proof. Once blocked, the phone cannot be used on any Indian network, and if someone puts a SIM in it, the system flags it so the device can be traced.

The service is run by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). As of 6 November 2026, the Sanchar Saathi home page shows 63.28 lakh phones blocked and 39.12 lakh traced through it.

What CEIR blocking does

CEIR stands for Central Equipment Identity Register. It is a database of IMEI numbers, the unique 15-digit code each phone has (dual SIM phones have two). When you file a block request, your phone’s IMEI is barred on the networks of all telecom operators in India.

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• The phone stops working on Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL, even with a new SIM.
• If anyone tries to use it, a trace is generated for the police.
• Once you get the phone back, you can unblock it from the same portal or the Sanchar Saathi app.

Blocking does not erase your data. For that, use Google’s Find Hub on Android or Find My on iPhone to lock or wipe the phone remotely.

Before you start: keep these ready

The CEIR form lists these requirements:

• Police complaint: the complaint or FIR number and a copy to upload. Many states let you file a lost phone report online through the state police website.
• Replacement SIM: get a duplicate SIM for your lost number from your operator. The OTP for the request goes to this number, so SMS must be working on it.
• ID proof: a valid identity document to upload, such as Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence or passport.
• IMEI numbers: if you have them. They are printed on the phone box and the bill.
• Purchase invoice: optional, but upload it if you have it.

How to block a lost or stolen phone on Sanchar Saathi

1. Go to sancharsaathi.gov.in or open the Sanchar Saathi app.
2. Under Citizen Centric Services, choose Block Your Lost / Stolen Mobile Handset, then Block lost / stolen mobile handset.
3. In Device Information, enter the mobile number used in the phone (and the second number for a dual SIM phone), IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 if you have them, the brand, model and price. Upload the invoice if available.
4. In Lost Information, fill in the place and date of loss, state, district, police station and the police complaint number. Upload the complaint copy.
5. In the owner section, enter your name and address, choose an ID type and upload it. Email is optional.
6. Enter the captcha, then the mobile number for OTP. Type the OTP, tick the declaration and submit.
7. Note the request ID shown on screen. You need it to check the status or unblock the phone later.

The portal only accepts a request when the date of loss is on or after the date the service launched, so very old cases may not qualify.

How to find your phone’s IMEI number

• Dial *#06# on the phone (useful to note down now, while you still have it).
• Check the phone box or the purchase invoice.
• On Android, the IMEI also shows in your Google account’s device list. On iPhone, it shows in Apple ID settings on another Apple device signed in to the same account.

Save both IMEI numbers somewhere safe today, such as a note in your email. It makes a block request much faster.

How to check status or unblock a found phone

On the same Block Your Lost / Stolen Mobile Handset page, there are options to Check lost / stolen mobile handset request status, Unblock found mobile handset and Forgot request ID. To unblock, enter your request ID and verify with OTP. Inform the police station where you filed the complaint once you get the phone back.

Buying a used phone? Check it first

Sanchar Saathi also lets you check whether a phone’s IMEI is genuine, blacklisted or already in use. Send an SMS in the format KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422, or use Know Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset on the portal. Do this before paying for any second-hand phone. If the IMEI shows as blocked, walk away.

Other things to do right away

• Call your operator and block the SIM, so no one can use your number for OTPs.
• Change passwords for email, banking and UPI apps, and ask your bank to block UPI access on the old phone if needed.
• Check how many connections are registered in your name. Our guide on how to check SIM cards in your name explains the steps.
• Watch for scam calls pretending to help recover your phone. Read our guide to stopping spam calls and how to spot fake APK scams on WhatsApp.

Helpdesk

For problems with a request, the Sanchar Saathi helpdesk is at help-sancharsaathi@gov.in and 011-20907480, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, as listed on the portal.