HI FRIENDS,
Sandes is an Indian government option to WhatsApp.
Sandes launch by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The new platform is an upgrade to the existing Government Instant Messaging System (GIMS) that was develope to provide government officials with a WhatsApp-like communication app.
The Sandes app can be use by both government officials and individual users.
It requires a mobile number or government email ID for sign up.
Once you sign up, users can send and receive messages as well as new create groups or send multimedia content such as images and videos.
Sandes says it uses end-to-end encrypted communication.
The app can be use for sending and receiving messages or sharing images and videos between contacts.
It also allows contact sharing and group chats.
Users can also broadcast messages or set certain messages as their favourite.
NOTE : Email IDs are restricted to government IDs only if you try to sign up with a Gmail, Hotmail, or other email account, you’ll see a notice that emails from that domain are not allowed.
Even government-related accounts like @mygov.in accounts are not allow only official @gov.in emails can be used to register with the app.
WhatsApp vs Sandes
Government’s Sandes app carries many similarities with WhatsApp, there are some notable differences.
The first major difference is the option to sign up using your email ID on the Sandes app.
This is restricte to government officials who can use their @gov.in email IDs to sign in as we mention above.
This function isn’t there at all on WhatsApp and everyone needs a mobile number to sign up on the WhatsApp.
The Sandes app also supports verified accounts for government employees.
WhatsApp doesn’t have verified accounts for any individuals.
The other notable change that you’ll see on Sandes is the option to send chat backups to a user-preferred external location, including email.
This isn’t the case with WhatsApp where you can only back up your chats to Google Drive if you’re on Android or iCloud if you use an iPhone.
The Sandes app also doesn’t allow users to change their mobile number or email ID after signed up.
This means that you’ll need to stick to your mobile number or email ID that you used for signing up to continue to use the app.
You can delete your account with the and then create a new one with a different mobile number or email ID.
WhatsApp has a dedicated Change Number feature to let you easily move from an old phone number to a new one without deleting your profile.
There is also an option to sync contacts and add new contacts who are already on the platform.
You can’t invite new users to join, but anyone can just download the app and join.
The government not yet provided any clarity on how it is planning to use Sandes.
The government is already asking its employees to use the Sandes app for their official communication.
It is yet to gain popularity among the public.
Government also planning to Launch its second app, called Samvad.
How to use Sandes App
You firstly need to download the Sandes app on your mobile device.
It is available for download in an APK file for smartphones running on Android 5.0 and above through the government’s GIMS portal.
For iPhone users, App is available for download through App Store and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running on at least iOS 12.0.
When downloaded, you can sign up on the Sandes app using your mobile number or email ID.
The app will send you a six-digit OTP for authentication.
Email IDs are restricted to government IDs only if you try to sign up with a Gmail, Hotmail, or other email account.
You’ll see a notice that emails from that domain are not allow.
Even government-related accounts like @mygov.in accounts are not accepted only official @gov.in emails can be used to register with the app.
Or you have to use your phone number.
You can also edit your profile or select your status upon signing up on the Sandes app.
All this stuff similar to how you can update your profile on WhatsApp.
