Aadhaar Masking: How to Share a Copy of Your Aadhaar Without Showing the Full 12 Digits

Aadhaar is a 12-digit number issued to every person in India by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This is an important document that is required by several organizations to obtain government-issued benefits and welfare programs. Apart from this, Aadhaar can also be used as a proof of identity for services like admissions, banking, driving license, passport and various forms. Due to its increasing importance to financial and personal verification processes, Aadhaar details must be stored securely, and one way to achieve this is through the use of masked Aadhaar.

What is Masked Aadhar?

Masked Aadhaar is a version of Aadhaar card in which the first eight digits of the identity number are hidden and only the last four digits are visible. Hidden numbers are replaced with “xxxx-xxxx”. This prevents applications and organizations from accessing your full Aadhaar details, increasing privacy and reducing the risk of identity theft and fraud.

It can be used as an alternative to the traditional Aadhaar card and is equally valid under the Aadhaar Act, 2016. Masked Aadhaar can be used for most e-KYC purposes such as flight and hotel bookings, job applications, etc., although unmasked Aadhaar may be required in some cases.

You can download masked Aadhaar online in just a few simple steps.

How to download Masked Aadhaar through UIDAI website

1. Navigate to UIDAI website myyaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or click here
2. choose Download Aadhaar Select My Aadhar tab
3. Now, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number/28-digit Enrollment ID (EID)/16-digit Virtual ID (VID).
4. Verify using the verification code and click Send one-time password
5. A one-time password will then be sent to your registered mobile number
6. Now, tick the box “Do you want Masked Aadhaar”?
7. Enter the verification code you received to confirm your identity and select Verify and download
8. Your mask Aadhaar should start downloading as a password-protected PDF document. The password format includes the first four capital letters of your name and your year of birth

How to download Masked Aadhaar via mAadhaar app

1. Install the mAadhaar app via the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android)
2. Select your preferred language, enter your registered mobile number and submit the received OTP for verification
3. Now, go to the dashboard and select Download Aadhaar below Get Adhar
4. Seret Masked Adhar From Aadhaar type option
5. Enter your Aadhaar number, EID or VID and enter the verification code
6. Generate OTP, enter received code and select Verify and download
7. Your masked Aadhaar should now start downloading

How to download Aadhaar via DigiLocker

1. Navigate to the DigiLocker website digilacker.gov.in or click here. You can also access it using the DigiLocker app on the App Store and Play Store
2. Log in using your mobile number, user credentials or Aadhaar number and complete OTP verification
3. search UIDAI In the search bar and select Aadhaar
4. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and verify using the OTP received on your registered mobile number
5. Once completed, your Aadhaar card will appear in issue documents tab and can be downloaded from there.