We quote Aadhaar to avail many services nowadays. To prevent any sort of misuse, one can use the Aadhaar lock and unlock feature as per their convenience.
According to the UIDAI website, “UIDAI has introduced a feature to lock and unlock your Aadhaar Number. After locking your Aadhaar Number, Authentication cannot be performed using Aadhaar Number. In that case you may use your Virtual ID to perform Authentication.” This will prevent anyone else from using your Aadhaar number. Also, you can unlock your Aadhaar Number when you need it again.
Here are simple steps to lock and unlock Aadhaar;
What is lock, unlock biometrics in Aadhaar
Aadhaar card holders will be able to lock and unlock their biometrics for a limited time using this feature. This is to protect the residents’ biometric data’s privacy and confidentiality including fingerprint and iris. Aadhaar holders will be unable to use their biometrics for authentication if their biometrics are locked.
How to lock Aadhaar online
For locking UID, residents should have a 16 digit VID number and it’s a pre-requisite for locking. If resident don’t have VID can generate via SMS service or website.
- Visit the Uidai website or visit direct link https://resident.uidai.gov.in/bio-lock
- Click on ‘My Aadhaar’ tab and under the ‘Aadhaar services’, click on ‘Aadhaar lock/unlock’.
- Enter Aadhaar number or VID
- Enter Captcha and click on Send OTP
- Enter OTP received on your registered mobile number
- Click the ‘Enable’ button after entering the four-digit security code displayed on the screen.
Your biometrics information will now be locked, and you will need to unlock it in order to use it again.
After locking Aadhaar holders will be unable to execute biometric, demographic, or OTP-based authentication using their UID, UID Token, or ANCS Token. Residents can use their 16-digit VID Number to authenticate for all types of authentication once their UID has been locked (Demo, Bio & OTP).
How to unlock Aadhaar biometric online
- Visit www.uidai.gov.in
- Click on ‘My Aadhaar’ tab and under the ‘Aadhaar services’, click on ‘Aadhaar lock/unlock’.
- Select ‘Unlock UID’ and enter the virtual ID and security code
- Click on ‘Send OTP’. Enter the ‘OTP and click on submit
- Your Aadhaar number will be unlocked.
How to lock Aadhaar via SMS
For unlocking Aadhaar number you must have your latest Virtual ID. Send OTP request with last 6 or 10 DIGITs of Virtual ID number as
- Send OTP request as -> GETOTPLAST 4 or 8 DIGITs of Aadhaar Number.
- Then send Locking Request as -> LOCKUIDLast 4 or 8 DIGIT of Aadhaar Number
6 DIGIT OTP - You will receive a confirmation on locking your Aadhaar.
How to unlock Aadhaar via SMS
- GETOTPLAST 6 or 10 DIGITs Virtual ID
- Then send Unlocking Request as -> UNLOCKUIDLAST 6 or
10 DIGIT Virtual ID 6 DIGIT OTP - You will receive a confirmation on unlocking your Aadhaar.
