Aadhaar app update: Here's a stepwise guide on how to change your linked mobile number from home

India's ambitious digital identity program, Aadhaar, continues its evolution, striving for greater accessibility and enhanced security for its over 1.3 billion cardholders. In a significant stride towards digital empowerment and convenience, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has rolled out crucial updates to its official Aadhaar app. These enhancements are set to redefine how citizens interact with their digital identity, particularly by simplifying the process of updating essential personal information and fortifying data protection protocols for entities that utilize Aadhaar for verification.

A Game-Changer for Digital Identity: Updating Your Mobile Number from Home

For years, the process of updating a mobile number linked to an Aadhaar card often necessitated a physical visit to an Aadhaar enrolment centre. This requirement, while ensuring security, presented considerable logistical challenges for millions across the country. Long queues, travel time, and the sheer effort involved were significant deterrents, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The latest update to the Aadhaar app, available on both Android (Google Play Store) and iOS (Apple App Store), is a monumental step in addressing these hurdles. It introduces a groundbreaking feature that allows users to change their linked mobile phone number from the comfort of their homes. This is a welcome respite, particularly for senior citizens, individuals with mobility issues, and residents in remote areas who previously faced immense difficulties in accessing physical centres.

How to Update Your Aadhaar-Linked Mobile Number: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process is designed to be intuitive and secure, leveraging advanced authentication methods:

• Download the App: Ensure you have the latest version of the official Aadhaar app installed on your smartphone from either the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
• Navigate to 'Mobile Number Update': Once inside the app, locate and select the newly activated 'Mobile Number Update' option. This feature has been made live to facilitate this specific change.
• Enter New Number & Authenticate: Input your updated mobile phone number. The app will then send a One-Time Password (OTP) to this new number for initial verification.
• Face Authentication for Identity Verification: Following the OTP verification, the app will prompt you for face authentication. This biometric step is crucial for verifying your identity securely, ensuring that only the legitimate Aadhaar holder can initiate the change.
• Confirmation: Once the face authentication is successfully completed, your new mobile number will be updated and linked to your Aadhaar records.

This streamlined process not only enhances user convenience but also aligns with the broader vision of digital inclusion, making essential services more accessible to every segment of society.

Beyond Mobile Numbers: Current and Future App Capabilities

While the mobile number update is a significant highlight, the updated Aadhaar app is designed to be a comprehensive portal for various Aadhaar-related services. Users will also find options to update other details such as their address, email, and name. However, it's important to note that while these options are visible within the app interface, they are not yet "live" for self-service updates and may still require alternative procedures or future activation.

Despite these advancements, certain sensitive Aadhaar details continue to necessitate a physical visit to an enrolment centre for updates. These include biometric data such as fingerprint scans, iris scans, and photo updates, as well as changes to the Date of Birth (DoB). The rationale behind this is the inherent security and accuracy requirements associated with these critical identifiers, which often demand direct physical verification and specialized equipment.

Key Features of the Evolving Aadhaar App

The UIDAI app is continuously being refined to offer a robust suite of services. Beyond the update functionalities, the app provides a range of features aimed at empowering users to manage their Aadhaar digitally:

• Download Aadhaar (both regular and masked versions for privacy).
• Order an Aadhaar PVC Card for enhanced durability and portability.
• Utilize Offline KYC (XML File) for secure, paperless verification.
• Aadhaar Lock/Unlock functionality to protect your Aadhaar number from misuse.
• Verify Aadhaar Number and Email/Mobile Number.
• Retrieve Lost UID / EID (Enrolment ID).
• Scan QR Code for quick validation.
• Access a Digital Aadhaar Wallet for convenient storage.
• Biometric Lock/Unlock to control access to your biometric data.
• View Aadhaar Authentication History for transparency.

Bolstering Data Security: New Registration Rules for Entities Using Aadhaar

In parallel with enhancing citizen convenience, the UIDAI is also taking proactive measures to strengthen the security and integrity of Aadhaar data across the ecosystem. Recognizing the widespread use of Aadhaar for identity verification by various public and private entities, the UIDAI has approved a pivotal new rule. As confirmed by CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, this mandate will require all entities utilizing Aadhaar to verify customer identities to officially register with the UIDAI.

This directive is particularly aimed at organizations such as event locations, hotels, and other service providers that frequently collect and store Aadhaar data, often in physical forms. The primary objective is to curb the potential misuse of sensitive personal information and ensure greater accountability among data handlers. By bringing these entities under a formal registration framework, UIDAI aims to establish a clear chain of responsibility and adherence to data protection standards.

How the New Entity Registration System Will Work

The new framework is designed to facilitate secure and efficient Aadhaar verification while minimizing risks:

• Digital Verification Methods: Registered entities will be empowered to verify individuals through secure digital means, such as scanning a QR code present on the Aadhaar card or directly connecting with the new Aadhaar app. This promotes a shift away from physical copies and manual data entry, which are prone to errors and security vulnerabilities.
• Enhanced System Resilience: The new rule is also expected to mitigate delays often caused by outages in intermediate servers that connect to the central Aadhaar database. By streamlining the verification process and potentially offering more direct integration pathways, it aims to ensure smoother and more reliable processing of various services that rely on Aadhaar authentication.
• API Access for Offline Verification: For entities that prefer or require offline verification methods, the UIDAI will provide access to an Application Programming Interface (API). This will allow them to update their existing systems to securely integrate Aadhaar verification capabilities, ensuring compliance while maintaining operational flexibility.

Aligning with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act)

These comprehensive updates and new regulations underscore UIDAI's commitment to aligning its operations with India's recently enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act). The DPDP Act emphasizes principles of data minimization, consent, and accountability, mandating robust safeguards for personal data. By requiring entities to register and promoting secure digital verification, UIDAI is actively working to enhance the privacy and security framework surrounding Aadhaar data, fostering greater trust among citizens and service providers alike.

The new app functionalities and entity registration rules are expected to be fully operational within the next 18 months, marking a significant phase in the evolution of India's digital identity infrastructure. This continuous innovation reflects UIDAI's dedication to making Aadhaar a cornerstone of secure, accessible, and efficient digital governance in the country.