mAadhaar App: Features & How to Use It (Biometric Lock, VID)

Jump to section

Last verified: June 2026, against official UIDAI, Income Tax Department and PAN service-provider procedures. Fees and steps can change — confirm on the official portals. General information, not legal advice.

The mAadhaar app is UIDAI’s official way to carry your Aadhaar on your phone — and do far more than just show the card. Here is what it does and how to use it.

What mAadhaar does

• Carry your Aadhaar digitally (valid as proof) and download the e-Aadhaar PDF.
• Lock/unlock biometrics to prevent misuse of fingerprints/iris.
• Generate a Virtual ID (VID) to share instead of your Aadhaar number.
• Share QR/e-KYC securely for verification.
• Check update status and locate enrolment centres.

How to set it up

1. Install the official mAadhaar app (by UIDAI) from your phone’s app store.
2. Register with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify by OTP.
3. Set an app password and add your profile by entering your Aadhaar number.

The safety feature worth using: biometric lock

Locking your biometrics in mAadhaar means no one can use your fingerprints/iris for Aadhaar authentication until you temporarily unlock them — a strong protection against biometric fraud. Combine this with sharing a VID instead of your actual Aadhaar number, and keep Aadhaar linked to your bank for subsidies.

FAQs

What is the mAadhaar app?

UIDAI’s official app to carry your Aadhaar digitally, lock biometrics, generate a VID and share e-KYC securely.

Is mAadhaar valid as ID?

Yes — the digital Aadhaar in the official app is accepted as valid proof.

How do I stop misuse of my Aadhaar biometrics?

Use the biometric-lock feature in mAadhaar and share a Virtual ID instead of your Aadhaar number.