How to Block a Lost or Stolen Phone on Sanchar Saathi (CEIR)

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Last updated: October 2026.

Smartphone lying on the floor

Photo by Tom The Photographer on Unsplash

Losing a phone in India is stressful, but there is an official way to stop anyone else from using it on Indian mobile networks. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) runs the Sanchar Saathi portal and app, which let you block a lost or stolen handset by its IMEI number through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). This guide explains what to keep ready, how to file the block request, how to unblock the phone if you get it back, and two related checks every phone owner should know about.

What blocking actually does

Every phone has a 15-digit IMEI number (dual-SIM phones have two). When you block a handset on Sanchar Saathi, the request goes to all telecom operators, and the phone stops working on Indian mobile networks, whichever SIM is put inside it. According to the official CEIR user manual, if someone tries to use a blocked phone with any SIM, that user's details are shared with the police to help trace the device.

Blocking does not wipe your data or lock the screen. For that, use your phone maker's own tools (covered below) as early as possible.

What you need before you start

The portal will not accept a block request without a few things. Collect these first:

  • Police complaint copy: a copy of the FIR or lost report (LR) filed with the police for the lost or stolen phone. Many states let you file a lost-article report online through the state police website, but the process differs from state to state.
  • Identity proof: a government ID such as Aadhaar, to upload with the request.
  • A working SIM for your number: the OTP is sent to the mobile number you enter, so you will usually need a duplicate SIM from your operator for the number that was in the lost phone. Put it in a spare phone. Note that SMS on a replacement SIM is enabled only 24 hours after activation, so plan for that wait.
  • IMEI number(s): needed to identify the handset. See the next section if you do not have it written down.
  • Purchase invoice (optional): the bill is not mandatory, but it helps if you have it.

How to find the IMEI of a phone you no longer have

While you still have the phone, dial *#06# and the IMEI appears on screen. Save it somewhere other than the phone, such as email. If the phone is already gone, try these:

  • Original box: the barcode sticker on the retail box lists the IMEI. For dual-SIM phones there are usually two.
  • Purchase bill: many store and online invoices print the IMEI.
  • Android phones (Google Find Hub): Google renamed Find My Device to Find Hub in 2025. On a computer or another phone, open android.com/find, sign in with the Google account that was on the lost phone, and select the settings (gear) icon next to the device to see its details, including the IMEI. This only works if the phone was signed in to that Google account.
  • iPhones: sign in at account.apple.com, open the Devices section and select the lost iPhone to see its IMEI. You can also check from another Apple device signed in to the same Apple Account, under Settings > [your name] > device list.

Step-by-step: block a lost or stolen phone

The official portal is sancharsaathi.gov.in. The CEIR blocking service sits under Citizen Centric Services and opens on ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in. The same service is available in the free Sanchar Saathi app on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Beware of look-alike websites and only use the .gov.in address.

  1. File a police complaint (FIR or lost report) for the phone and keep a copy, either a PDF or a clear photo.
  2. Get a duplicate SIM for your lost number from your operator's store and activate it in another phone.
  3. Open sancharsaathi.gov.in, go to Citizen Centric Services and choose Block Your Lost/Stolen Mobile Handset. In the app, pick the option to block a lost or stolen mobile.
  4. Fill in the device details: the mobile number(s) used in the phone, IMEI number(s), brand and model. Upload the invoice if you have it.
  5. Fill in the loss details and police complaint details: where and when the phone was lost, the police station, the complaint number, and upload the complaint copy.
  6. Enter the owner's details and upload your identity proof.
  7. Enter the mobile number that will receive the OTP, fill in the captcha, request the OTP, verify it and submit.
  8. Note down the Request ID shown on screen. The CEIR manual says this is an 18-digit number. You need it to check status and to unblock the phone later.

You can check progress any time with Check Lost/Stolen Mobile Request Status on the same page, using your Request ID. If you lose the Request ID, the Forgot Request ID option lists all your requests after OTP verification on the number you used while blocking.

The block can also be filed through your state police. In that case its status may not show on CEIR, and the police must handle the unblock too.

Do these alongside the block

  • Block your SIM: call your operator's customer care from another number and ask them to suspend the SIM, so nobody can receive your OTPs.
  • Lock or erase the phone remotely: use Google Find Hub (Android) or Find My (iPhone) to lock the phone, show a message on the screen or erase it. Some brands such as Samsung also have their own find-my-phone service.
  • Protect money apps: change your email, UPI and banking passwords from a trusted device, and contact your bank if you suspect misuse. If money has already been taken, call the cyber fraud helpline 1930.

How to unblock the phone if you get it back

If the police recover your phone or you find it, unblock it so it works on networks again.

  1. Open the CEIR section on sancharsaathi.gov.in (or the app) and choose Unblock Found Mobile Handset.
  2. Enter your Request ID from the block request.
  3. Enter your mobile number, select a reason for unblocking and fill in the captcha.
  4. Request the OTP, verify it and submit.

The request is then sent to the telecom operators, who remove the block on their networks. If the original block was registered through the state police, the unblock request also has to go through them.

Two related Sanchar Saathi checks worth doing

See how many mobile numbers are registered in your name

This service was earlier known as TAFCOP. Under the Know Mobile Connections in Your Name option in the app or portal, you log in with your mobile number and an OTP and see all connections issued against your identity. If you spot a number you never took, mark it as Not My Number and it is reported to the operator for action.

It also matters because of the SIM limit. Under current rules an individual can hold up to nine mobile connections across all operators, or six in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East. Connections above this limit can be disconnected, so it's worth removing any you don't use.

Check whether a phone's IMEI is genuine (KYM)

Before buying a second-hand phone, use Know Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset (often called KYM, Know Your Mobile). Enter the IMEI on the portal or app, or send an SMS in the format KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422. You will see the brand and model linked to that IMEI and whether it is blacklisted. If the result does not match the phone in your hand, or it shows as blocked, do not buy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a police complaint really required to block my phone?
Yes. The CEIR process needs a copy of the police FIR or lost report, along with ID proof. The invoice is optional, but the complaint is not.

Can Sanchar Saathi show me where my phone is?
Not to you as a user. The block makes the phone useless on Indian networks, and if someone uses it with a new SIM, the details go to the police for tracing. For live location, use Google Find Hub or Apple Find My.

Does blocking delete my data?
No. IMEI blocking only stops the phone from connecting to mobile networks. To protect your photos, chats and accounts, lock or erase the device through Find Hub or Find My, and change your important passwords.

I don't have a duplicate SIM yet. Can I still block the phone?
The portal sends an OTP to the mobile number you enter, so you need access to a working number to finish the request. Getting a duplicate SIM for the lost number is the recommended route, and you can also ask your state police to file the block for you.

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