How to Lock and Unlock Your Aadhaar: A Step-by-Step Guide

Locking and unlocking your Aadhaar card is a crucial security feature provided by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This feature allows you to protect your Aadhaar card from unauthorized use in case of loss or theft. While your Aadhaar is locked, it cannot be used for authentication purposes, ensuring your personal information remains secure.

Why Lock Your Aadhaar?

Locking your Aadhaar card prevents any misuse of your biometric and demographic data. It is particularly useful if your Aadhaar card is lost or stolen, providing an additional layer of security until you retrieve or replace it.

Locking Your Aadhaar

Step 1: Generate a Virtual ID (VID)

To lock your Aadhaar, you need a 16-digit Virtual ID (VID). This can be generated in two ways:

Using the UIDAI Website:

1. Visit the UIDAI website.

2. Navigate to the "Generate Virtual ID" service.

3. Follow the instructions to generate your VID.

Using SMS:

1. Send an SMS with the text "GVID [last 4 or 8 digits of UID]" to 1947. For example, "GVID 1234".

2. You will receive your VID via SMS on your registered mobile number.

Step 2: Lock Aadhaar with VID

Once you have your VID, you can lock your Aadhaar:

Using the UIDAI Website:

1. Go to the UIDAI website.

2. Select the "Lock/Unlock Aadhaar" option.

3. Enter your 16-digit VID.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Using the mAadhaar App:

1. Open the mAadhaar app on your smartphone.

2. Select the "Aadhaar Services" section.

3. Choose "Lock/Unlock Aadhaar" and enter your VID.

4. Follow the prompts to lock your Aadhaar.

Once locked, your Aadhaar number cannot be used for biometric, demographic, or OTP-based authentication.

Also Read - What is Blue Aadhaar? How to Apply? Step-by-Step Guide

Unlocking Your Aadhaar

Step 1: Retrieve Your VID

If you need to unlock your Aadhaar and have forgotten your VID, you can retrieve it via SMS:

• Send an SMS with the text "RVID [last 4 or 8 digits of UID]" to 1947. For example, "RVID 1234".
• You will receive your VID via SMS on your registered mobile number.

Step 2: Unlock Aadhaar with VID

With your VID, you can now unlock your Aadhaar:

Using the UIDAI Website:

1. Visit the UIDAI website.

2. Select the "Lock/Unlock Aadhaar" option.

3. Enter your 16-digit VID.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to unlock your Aadhaar.

Using the mAadhaar App:

1. Open the mAadhaar app on your smartphone.

2. Navigate to the "Aadhaar Services" section.

3. Choose "Lock/Unlock Aadhaar" and enter your VID.

4. Follow the prompts to unlock your Aadhaar.

After unlocking, your Aadhaar number can once again be used for all authentication purposes.

Retrieving Your VID After Locking

If you forget your VID after locking your Aadhaar, retrieving it is simple:

1. Send an SMS to 1947 from your registered mobile number.

2. The message should be: "RVID" followed by a space and the last 4 or 8 digits of your UID. For example, "RVID 1234".

3. You will receive your 16-digit VID via SMS on your registered mobile number.

Conclusion

Locking and unlocking your Aadhaar is an essential security measure to protect your personal information from unauthorized access. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your Aadhaar remains secure even if your card is lost or stolen. Always keep your VID handy and secure to manage the locking and unlocking process efficiently.