e-Aadhaar Download 2026: Know the Easy Online Process

Aadhaar has become the single most-used identity document in India, required for everything from opening a bank account to filing an income tax return. Whether it is misplaced, damaged, or simply not on hand when needed, UIDAI allows every Aadhaar holder to download a digitally signed, legally valid copy called the e-Aadhaar in a matter of minutes.

What is e-Aadhaar?

e-Aadhaar is the electronic version of the Aadhaar card, issued as a password-protected PDF that is digitally signed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It carries the same legal standing as the physical Aadhaar letter or the PVC Aadhaar card and is accepted across banks, telecom operators, government departments, and private institutions as valid proof of identity and address.

2026 Update

UIDAI now requires Aadhaar holders whose Aadhaar was issued or last updated more than 10 years ago to upload fresh Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) documents to keep the record current. This can be done through the login-based option on the myAadhaar portal and does not affect the ability to download the existing e-Aadhaar in the interim.

Download Aadhaar Using Enrolment ID or Aadhaar Number

This is the most direct and commonly used method, done entirely through the official myAadhaar portal.

• Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and select Download Aadhaar under the "Get Aadhaar" section.
• Choose the identifier: Aadhaar Number (UID) - the 12-digit number, or Enrolment ID (EID) - the 28-digit number (14-digit enrolment number plus 14-digit date and time of enrolment) printed on the enrolment/update acknowledgement slip.
• Enter the number along with the security captcha shown on screen, and click Send OTP.
• Enter the 6-digit OTP received on the mobile number registered with UIDAI.
• Tick the "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?" box if a masked copy is preferred, then click Verify & Download.
• The e-Aadhaar PDF downloads automatically. It is password protected (see the password format below).

Download Aadhaar Using Name and Date of Birth (For Forgotten EID/UID)

If both the Aadhaar number and the EID have been forgotten, UIDAI provides a separate service to retrieve them before proceeding to download.

• On the myAadhaar portal, go to My Aadhaar and select Retrieve Lost or Forgotten EID/UID.
• Choose whether to retrieve the Aadhaar Number (UID) or the Enrolment ID (EID).
• Enter the full name exactly as it appears on the Aadhaar record, along with the registered mobile number or email ID and the captcha.
• Click Send OTP and enter the OTP received.
• Once verified, the UID or EID is sent to the registered mobile number/email. This number can then be used to download the e-Aadhaar through Method 1 above.

If the registered mobile number itself is lost or was never linked, this online route will not work. In that case, the resident must visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Permanent Enrolment Centre with biometric verification, or call the UIDAI toll-free helpline 1947 for demographic-based retrieval assistance.

Download Aadhaar Using Virtual ID (VID)

A Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number that can be used in place of the Aadhaar number for authentication and download, without revealing the actual Aadhaar number to the service provider.

• If a VID has not already been generated, go to Generate VID on the myAadhaar portal, enter the Aadhaar number, verify via OTP, and generate a fresh VID.
• Return to the Download Aadhaar section and select Virtual ID (VID) as the identifier.
• Enter the 16-digit VID and the captcha, then click Send OTP.
• Enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number and click Verify & Download.

The VID is useful for anyone who prefers not to share the actual Aadhaar number with a third party while still completing OTP-based verification and download.

Download Aadhaar Using the mAadhaar App

UIDAI's mobile application allows the Aadhaar profile to be stored on the phone itself, which is particularly useful for offline verification at airports, hotels, or banks where internet access may not be reliable.

Note: In early 2026, UIDAI began phasing out the older mAadhaar app in favour of a newer "Aadhaar" app, which adds face authentication at login and allows management of up to five family member profiles from a single device. The download workflow below applies to both versions; readers should confirm which app is live on the Play Store/App Store at the time of installation.

• Install the official UIDAI Aadhaar/mAadhaar app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
• Register using the mobile number linked to Aadhaar and verify via OTP (or face authentication, where available).
• Select Register Aadhaar / Download Aadhaar, enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number, and verify with OTP.
• Once verified, the Aadhaar profile and e-Aadhaar PDF are saved within the app and can be viewed offline or shared as needed.

Download Aadhaar Through DigiLocker

DigiLocker is the Government of India's cloud-based document wallet, and Aadhaar is one of the documents that can be linked and issued directly within it.

• Visit digilocker.gov.in or open the DigiLocker mobile app and sign in (registration is free using a mobile number).
• Go to Search Documents and select UIDAI – Aadhaar Card from the list of issued documents.
• Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number and verify using the OTP sent to the registered mobile number.
• Once linked, the Aadhaar card is available under Issued Documents for download or direct sharing with any DigiLocker-enabled service, without needing to repeat the process each time.

A document issued through DigiLocker carries the same UIDAI digital signature and is treated as equivalent to a physical copy under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Download Aadhaar Through the UMANG App

UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is a single app that bundles hundreds of central and state government services, including Aadhaar download.

• Install the UMANG app and register/log in using a mobile number verified through OTP.
• Go to All Services and select Aadhaar Card, then choose Download Aadhaar.
• Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number (or EID) along with the captcha, and click Login with OTP.
• Enter the OTP received and confirm. Once verified, the Aadhaar details appear on screen.
• Tap the download icon to save the e-Aadhaar PDF; a masked Aadhaar option is also available within the app.

What is a Masked Aadhaar?

Masked Aadhaar is a privacy-friendly version of the e-Aadhaar in which the first eight digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number are replaced with "xxxx-xxxx", leaving only the last four digits visible. All other details on the document, including name, address, photograph, and QR code, remain unchanged, and the document carries the same legal validity as an unmasked e-Aadhaar.

Masked Aadhaar can be selected at the time of download on the myAadhaar portal, the mAadhaar app, DigiLocker, or UMANG, and is widely recommended for situations such as hotel check-in, courier KYC, or any purpose where only address/identity confirmation is needed rather than the full Aadhaar number.

What is the Password to Open the e-Aadhaar PDF?

The downloaded e-Aadhaar PDF is password protected by default, and the password format is fixed by UIDAI and cannot be changed by the user. It is:

Example

If the name on Aadhaar has fewer than four letters, or includes an initial and a period, the exact characters as printed (including the period, where applicable) are used, followed directly by the year of birth. Masked Aadhaar PDFs also require the same password to open.

FAQs

Can I download Aadhaar without a registered mobile number?

No. OTP-based download on the myAadhaar portal, mAadhaar app, UMANG, or DigiLocker requires a mobile number registered with UIDAI. If it is not registered, the mobile number must first be updated at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra through biometric verification.

Is the e-Aadhaar as valid as the physical Aadhaar card?

Yes, the e-Aadhaar is digitally signed by UIDAI and is legally equivalent to the physical Aadhaar letter or PVC card for identity and address proof.

How many digits does the Enrolment ID (EID) have?

The EID is a 28-digit number: a 14-digit enrolment number followed by a 14-digit date and time stamp of enrolment, both printed on the enrolment or update acknowledgement slip.

What if the e-Aadhaar PDF still doesn't open with the correct password format?

Confirm Caps Lock is on, check for typos in the name or year of birth as recorded with UIDAI, and try opening the file with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If it still fails, the file may be corrupted and should be downloaded afresh from the official portal.