mAadhaar App: Why It’s Discontinued, and What Replaces It
If you are looking for information about mAadhaar, here is the short answer. mAadhaar was UIDAI’s official app for carrying a digital copy of your Aadhaar on your phone. However, UIDAI phased out the app on July 1, 2026. It has now been replaced by a new app called Aadhaar. The new app focuses on better privacy and gives users more control over sharing their Aadhaar details.
Your Aadhaar number and details haven’t changed. Only the app has. This guide walks you through what mAadhaar was, why UIDAI retired it, what the new Aadhaar app does differently, and exactly how to move over without any hassle.
Quick Answer: mAadhaar in One Line
mAadhaar was UIDAI’s mobile app that let Aadhaar holders carry a verified digital copy of their Aadhaar demographic details ( name, date of birth, gender, address, and photo ) instead of a physical card. It’s now been succeeded by the new Aadhaar app, which adds face authentication and lets you share only the specific details a service actually needs.
Why Was mAadhaar Discontinued?
Two things pushed UIDAI to retire mAadhaar and build something new.
First, mAadhaar showed your full Aadhaar profile every time you opened it for verification. A hotel receptionist or shopkeeper checking your identity would see your complete address, date of birth, and Aadhaar number, even if all they needed was confirmation that you’re over 18.
Second, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act pushed every government platform handling personal data toward “data minimisation”.Means that collecting and showing only what’s strictly necessary for a task. mAadhaar’s all-or-nothing display didn’t fit that model well, so UIDAI built a replacement around consent-based, selective sharing instead.
UIDAI first opened the new Aadhaar app to early adopters in late November 2025, made it broadly available by January 28, 2026, and by May 2026 began actively nudging mAadhaar users to switch, before formally discontinuing mAadhaar on July 1, 2026.
Related: How To Apply For Aadhaar Card Online
mAadhaar vs the New Aadhaar App: What Changed
| Feature | mAadhaar (old) | Aadhaar App (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued from July 1, 2026 | Current official app |
| Identity check | Shows full Aadhaar details | Face authentication + selective sharing |
| Data shared with verifiers | Complete profile every time | Only what’s needed (e.g., “age above 18”) |
| Offline verification | Limited | Full QR-based offline verification |
| Family profiles on one device | Up to 3 | Up to 5, if linked to the same mobile number |
| OTP recovery if locked out | Available | Being phased in. Some users report needing Face ID first |
| Login PIN | 4-digit | 6-digit |
| Update history log | Not available | Full authentication history log |
| Languages supported | 12 Indian languages + English | 13 Indian languages + English |
| Wallet integration | None | Rolling out on Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet (Apple Wallet under discussion) |
If you’re switching devices as part of this move, a screen protector that keeps your Aadhaar QR code scanning cleanly at hotel counters and bank branches is a cheap way to avoid failed scans, worth adding to your cart alongside your next phone.
What Is the New Aadhaar App, Exactly?
The new Aadhaar app is UIDAI’s digital identity wallet. Instead of just displaying your Aadhaar as mAadhaar did, it lets you generate a verifiable digital credential and choose exactly what part of it to reveal.
Core features of the new Aadhaar app
- Face authentication: Log in and verify your identity using your phone’s camera instead of typing an OTP every time.
- QR-based offline verification: Generate a QR code that a business can scan to confirm your identity without an internet connection or a query to UIDAI’s central database.
- Selective data sharing: Share only what’s asked for ( your name, your photo, or just proof that you’re above a certain age ) instead of your entire Aadhaar profile.
- Authentication history: See a running log of every time your Aadhaar was used to verify your identity, and where.
- Biometric lock/unlock: Lock your fingerprint and iris data so it can’t be used without your explicit unlock, same as mAadhaar offered.
- Multiple family profiles: Add Aadhaar profiles for up to five family members on one device, as long as they share your registered mobile number.
- Free email update: UIDAI is letting users update their email ID on Aadhaar for free through the app until the end of 2026.
- Masked Aadhaar download: Pull a PDF that hides most of your Aadhaar number, useful when you need to submit a copy but don’t want the full number floating around.
Related: How to Link Aadhaar with PAN Online (Step-by-Step + Penalty Guide)
How to Download and Set Up the New Aadhaar App
Setting it up takes about five minutes if your mobile number is already linked to your Aadhaar.
- Download the official app. On Android, search “Aadhaar” on the Play Store (package name
in.gov.uidai.pehchaan) or go directly through the link on uidai.gov.in. On iPhone, search “Aadhaar” on the App Store. - Confirm the developer is UIDAI. Fake Aadhaar apps do exist, so check the publisher name before installing anything.
- Select your language, then enter your Aadhaar number.
- Accept the Terms and Conditions and choose the SIM linked to your Aadhaar-registered number.
- Complete Face Authentication using your phone’s front camera.
- Set a 6-digit PIN to secure app access going forward.
Once that’s done, all UIDAI services ( download, address update, biometric lock, PVC order, and QR sharing) are available from the home screen.
Switching from mAadhaar? Here’s the shortcut
You don’t need to start from scratch. Download the new Aadhaar app, log in using your existing Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and your registration carries over. You can uninstall mAadhaar afterwards. Nothing you had saved in it lives anywhere but UIDAI’s central database anyway, so you lose nothing by removing it.
Will Your Aadhaar Data Be Affected by the Switch?
No. This is the question most people ask, so it’s worth being direct about it. mAadhaar never stored your Aadhaar records on your phone. It only displayed information that lives in UIDAI’s central database. Switching apps doesn’t touch that data at all. Your Aadhaar number, biometric records, and demographic details stay exactly as they were.
Requirements for Using the Aadhaar App
- An Android or iOS smartphone with a working front camera (for face authentication).
- A mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. If it isn’t, you’ll need to visit your nearest Aadhaar Enrolment or Update Centre first.
- Active internet for setup and most updates; QR-based verification itself can work offline once generated.
If your enrolment centre visit is likely to take a while, a compact portable powerbank like Xiaomi Power Bank 4i available on Amazon keeps your phone alive through the queue and the biometric capture, which is genuinely useful if you’re going in during peak hours.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Downloading a lookalike app. Several third-party apps use “Aadhaar” or “mAadhaar” in their name without being from UIDAI. Only trust apps published by “Unique Identification Authority of India.”
- Locking both Aadhaar and biometrics at once. Some users have reported getting stuck when Aadhaar lock and biometric lock are both switched on, since Face Authentication (needed to unlock) can itself require biometrics to be active. If you plan to travel or need the app for verification soon, keep at least one unlock path open.
- Forgetting your mobile number isn’t linked. If your registered number changed or was never linked, face authentication and OTP-based steps will fail. Sort this at an Aadhaar centre before you need the app urgently.
- Assuming mAadhaar still works everywhere. Some offline or cached versions of mAadhaar may still open on certain phones, but UIDAI is no longer supporting it, and verifiers may start rejecting it as the primary Aadhaar app. Don’t rely on it for anything time-sensitive.
Related: How to Link Aadhaar with the BSNL Mobile Number?
Expert Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Update your email ID through the app before the free-update window closes at the end of 2026. After that, standard update charges apply.
- Generate your masked Aadhaar PDF in advance if you regularly submit ID copies for KYC. It saves you from sharing your full Aadhaar number every time.
- Turn on the authentication history log and check it occasionally. It’s the easiest way to spot if your Aadhaar has been used somewhere you didn’t authorise.
- If you manage Aadhaar for elderly parents or young children, set up their profiles under your registered mobile number rather than juggling separate installs.
mAadhaar vs e-Aadhaar vs Aadhaar PVC Card vs the New Aadhaar App
All four are equally valid forms of Aadhaar, but they suit different situations.
- e-Aadhaar is a downloadable PDF, best when you need to print a copy or attach one to an online form.
- Aadhaar PVC card is a laminated, wallet-sized card, best when an office or security desk insists on a physical card.
- mAadhaar (retired) offered a mobile version of your Aadhaar but is no longer the recommended app.
- The new Aadhaar app replaces mAadhaar’s role and adds selective sharing, so it’s the best option for identity checks in person going forward.
Is the New Aadhaar App Safe to Use?
Yes. UIDAI says the new app focuses on three main areas: security, privacy, and offline use. It uses device binding and encrypted data storage to protect your information. You can also use OTP or face-based login. A biometric lock and unlock option adds another layer of protection.
The app can also perform some routine checks offline. It does not need to connect to UIDAI’s central database for every check. This can reduce how often your Aadhaar information is sent over the internet compared with some older verification methods.
That said, treat it like any identity app. Only install it from the official Play Store or App Store listing, keep your phone’s lock screen enabled, and don’t share your app PIN with anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
mAadhaar was UIDAI’s official mobile app that let Aadhaar holders carry their demographic details ( name, date of birth, gender, address, and photo) digitally instead of a physical card. It has been discontinued and replaced by the new Aadhaar app since July 1, 2026.
mAadhaar has been officially phased out. It may still open on some phones for a short period, but UIDAI is no longer updating or supporting it, and you should move to the new Aadhaar app.
UIDAI markets it simply as “Aadhaar.” Its Android package name isin.gov.uidai.pehchaan, and it’s sometimes referred to informally as the Pehchaan app.
No. Log in to the new app with your existing Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and your registration carries over automatically.
No. mAadhaar never stored your Aadhaar records locally. Everything lives in UIDAI’s central database regardless of which app you use.
It’s a feature that lets you share only specific pieces of information with a verifier. For example, confirming you’re above a certain age, instead of revealing your full Aadhaar profile.
It’s a login and identity-verification method that uses your phone’s camera to match your live face against your Aadhaar photo, reducing reliance on OTPs.
Up to five family members, provided their Aadhaar is linked to the same registered mobile number as yours.
QR-based offline verification can work without an active connection once the code is generated. Initial setup, downloads, and most updates still need internet access.
It’s a security setting that disables your fingerprint and iris data from being used for authentication until you manually unlock it, protecting you from unauthorised biometric use.
TOTP is a Time-based One-Time Password generated inside the app instead of over SMS. It was a mAadhaar feature designed for situations with poor mobile network reception, and similar time-based options continue in the new app’s security section.
Open the app, go to the download section, choose Regular or Masked Aadhaar, complete OTP or face verification, and the PDF generates automatically.
e-Aadhaar is a downloadable PDF for printing, the PVC card is a physical wallet-sized card, and mAadhaar (now the Aadhaar app) is the mobile version for showing on your phone. All are equally valid.
Yes, downloading and using the app is free. Standard UIDAI charges still apply for services like PVC card orders or Aadhaar detail updates outside the free promotional window.
Yes. Go to the Update Aadhaar Details section, choose Address Update, upload proof of address, and submit. You’ll get a Service Request Number to track it.
Yes, UIDAI is offering free email ID updates through the app until the end of 2026, after which standard charges are expected to apply.
Some users have reported a recovery loop in this situation, since unlocking one can require the other. If you hit this, contact UIDAI support or visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for manual recovery.
Yes, digital Aadhaar shown through UIDAI’s official app is accepted the same way mAadhaar was, including at airport and railway security checks.
Check that the publisher listed on the Play Store or App Store is “Unique Identification Authority of India,” and only download through the official store links rather than third-party APK sites.
Yes. Hotels, banks, and other service providers can scan a customer’s QR code generated in the app for instant, paperless verification without needing a photocopy.
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