mAadhaar app to be discontinued soon: New app brings face auth, QR sharing, biometric lock

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has officially announced the discontinuation of the mAadhaar app, encouraging users to transition to a newly launched Aadhaar application that reimagines digital identity verification on mobile devices. The announcement was made via the UIDAI's official account on social media platform X, stating, "mAadhaar will discontinue soon. Download the new Aadhaar App for faster access, smarter features, and services at your fingertips. It is designed to simplify and enhance your Aadhaar experience like never before." The new app introduces significant changes to how Aadhaar verification operates. Unlike the previous mAadhaar platform, which displayed complete Aadhaar details during authentication, the new application employs a selective sharing mechanism. This means that only the necessary information for a specific service will be shared, safeguarding users' complete profiles. A standout feature of the new Aadhaar app is the implementation of secure QR-based Aadhaar sharing, tailored for in-person verifications at various locations, including hotels, hospitals, government offices, and service counters. Authentication procedures have also been enhanced; while the old app primarily relied on OTP verification, the new system integrates face authentication and QR verification, depending on the nature of the service being accessed. This approach significantly mitigates the risk of misuse and increases control over users' identity data. Moreover, users will now have direct management of their biometric information. The app allows individuals to lock or manage their fingerprint, face, and iris authentication data, a feature designed to reduce unauthorized access, especially on public or shared devices. The onboarding process for the new app is more comprehensive than that of the mAadhaar, reflecting its improved security features. Users are guided through the following steps: Download the official Aadhaar app from a verified app store, select a preferred language, enter the mobile number linked to their Aadhaar, and verify it with an OTP. Some users may also need to complete face authentication at this stage. Once verified, users must create a PIN or enable biometric unlock, add their Aadhaar number, and finalize the process with another OTP verification. This multi-step approach ensures robust identity confirmation at several points, rather than relying on a single login method. In addition to the app transition, UIDAI has announced an extension of its free online Aadhaar document update service. Users will be able to continue updating and verifying their identity and address documents at no cost through the myAadhaar portal until June 14, 2027, extending the previous deadline by a full year.