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mAadhaar App Discontinued: New Aadhaar App Offers Face Auth, QR Sharing, Biometric Lock

· · 3 min read

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is discontinuing the mAadhaar app, urging users to switch to its new Aadhaar app. This updated platform introduces enhanced security features like face authentication, QR-based sharing, and biometric lock controls.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced the discontinuation of its older mAadhaar application, advising all users to migrate to the newly launched official Aadhaar app. The move, confirmed via the official Aadhaar account on X, aims to significantly enhance digital identity verification on smartphones with a suite of new security features and a more streamlined user experience.

Key Changes and New Features

The new Aadhaar app represents a fundamental shift in how digital identity data is managed and shared. Unlike the previous mAadhaar platform, which typically displayed full Aadhaar details during authentication, the new system focuses on selective data sharing. This means only the specific information required for a particular service is revealed, boosting privacy and reducing the risk of oversharing sensitive data.

Enhanced Authentication and Security Controls

  • Secure QR-based Aadhaar Sharing: A major addition is the secure QR code sharing capability, designed for in-person verification at various touchpoints such as hotels, hospitals, government offices, and service counters.
  • Multi-layered Authentication: While the old app primarily relied on One-Time Password (OTP) verification, the new system integrates face authentication and QR verification, depending on the service being accessed. This multi-factor approach significantly reduces the potential for misuse and tightens control over individual identity data.
  • Biometric Lock and Management: Users now have direct control over their biometric information. The app allows individuals to lock or manage their fingerprint, face, and iris authentication data, a feature UIDAI states will minimize the risk of unauthorized access, especially on shared or public devices.

Setting Up the New Aadhaar App

The onboarding process for the new Aadhaar app is designed to be thorough, ensuring robust identity confirmation:

  1. Download the official Aadhaar app from a verified app store (e.g., Google Play Store).
  2. Select your preferred language.
  3. Enter the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.
  4. Verify the mobile number using an OTP. Some users may also be prompted to complete face authentication at this stage.
  5. Once verified, create a PIN or enable biometric unlock.
  6. Add your Aadhaar number and complete a final OTP verification.

This multi-step verification process is intentional, validating a user's identity at several points rather than relying on a single login method, thereby enhancing overall security.

Extended Free Document Update Service

Alongside the app transition, UIDAI has also extended its free online Aadhaar document update service. Users can continue to update and verify identity and address documents at no cost on the myAadhaar portal until June 14, 2027. This extends the previous deadline of June 15, 2026, by a full year, providing ample time for users to ensure their details are current and accurate.

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