"Aarogya Setu" phone app
 

What is the latest status on the "Aarogya Setu" phone app for international visitors to India? Is it mandatory to have the app loaded and working before boarding a flight and upon arrival? What happens if the passenger does not have a valid cell connection or not SIM card that works in India? What happens if the passenger has multiple phones, only one of which has this app loaded? I understand that this question is moot right now since international flights are not operational yet, but I wanted to plan ahead!

the word on the street is that the app has to be installed on your phone before you board the flight....the airports are all connected with wifi so the app can be used even if your sim does not work....

also, if you have multiple phones then its not necessary to have the app on all phones....you just have to have it on one....

My understanding was that the airport authority had take it on itself to announce the app was compulsory for all travellers, only to be slapped down by the civil aviation ministry.

I might be wrong (it happens!) but I thought the ministry finished up offering the alternative of carrying a COVID negative certificate.

the rules are changing some 32 times daily so no one has any clue what's really going on....the last time i spoke to my contact at the civil aviation ministry was last week & at that point he told me that the app was compulsory for anyone taking a flight....

..par for the course I guess :D

The app is useless/pointless when you're in a foreign country. I don't think there's any mandate right now when you're traveling to India.

However you're better of having the app on your phone when you're entering any Indian airport because the CISF won't let you in without it because they will be as confused about the rules as anyone else. They will force you to download and install the app there and then to be allowed entry into the terminal.

The biggest problem is that it only accepts indian mobile numbers to register :rolleyes:

i guess that will change once international travel opens up....

Is this mandatory for people leaving India on an international flight or only for those coming to India ?

its required for both....they won't let you on a flight in india unless you have it on your phone....

For passengers arriving on international flights, Timatic says:

I wonder if this is checked at departure, which might present difficulties for those without an Indian SIM card. Or if not, what happens if you land in India without the app? Would they actually deny entry? :rolleyes:

I flew into India last week and was not able to activate the app ahead of time. The app requires an Indian mobile to activate (one time password sent via SMS).

But I was not asked about the app in any of the Indian airports that I visited.

its pretty random....they are supposed to ask about it but 90% of the time they don't....

My last 3 flights (all in the month of November) - From DEL, CCU and BOM - In none of the cases they checked the app. I think it's practically stopped now.

Hello - I just returned back to the USA from India, where I spent nearly 3 weeks. Here is a summary of the airports that I visited in India:

BOM (International)
BOM (Domestic)
CJB (Domestic)
KOC (Domestic)
BLR (Domestic)
GOI (Domestic)
DEL (Domestic)
DEL (International)

At none of these airports was the Aarogya setu app asked for. So I agree with the poster above, it looks like the government is not making this mandatory at any of the airports any longer, and just a suggestion.

As i just booked the ticket to visit on family emergency , and searching for the answer.
It is very simple or basic thing to keep in mind while creating the app , especially when you say international travelers should have that app .
Hope some one will realize and update the app.
I am planning to tweet the ministry.

Good luck with that. This app is meant for domestic use, so it still doesn't work on firang numbers and stops working outside of India.

if only life were that simple....this government (& governments before it as well) is not known to do things logically....the app still doesn't work on non-india numbers & i don't think they have any plans on fixing it....

having said that, i have taken 4 international trips since september 2020 & have not been asked to show the app even once....

Was asked for this app for a domestic flight out of BOM last week.

Whats the latest on the AS app for domestic travel? I am planning a flight out of IXC and they require the Cova Punjab app. Any recent experiences?

Many thanks!

Was not asked for this arriving in SFO-DOH-BLR last month.

they have stopped asking for the app in general....last month i was checking into a hotel in lucknow & they asked for the app....i told them i didn't have it & they just let me through....

lol! Nothing like that bulletproof checking.

I remember a time riding with a friend in his car and we were going to the mall. This was like the third time we had come to the mall in 3 days and every time they would stop the car and use a mirror under the drivers side undercarriage of the car. On the third time, my friend asked them--"do they only put bombs on the driver's side underside or do they use the passenger side too?" Even though he spoke the language perfect (as a native he knows the lingo), the guys looked confused and waived him through--so much safety and security theater nonsense--it's more important to make people feel safe than actually doing anything to provide safety. :rolleyes: