UIDAI Preparing to Retire mAadhaar App as New Aadhaar App Gains Popularity

The Unique Identification Authority of India is preparing to phase out the existing mAadhaar application and has started encouraging users to move to the newer Aadhaar app. The authority recently announced through social media that the older app will soon be retired as part of its effort to provide a faster and more secure digital experience for Aadhaar users.

According to UIDAI, the newly introduced Aadhaar app comes with several upgraded features focused on privacy, convenience and identity verification. One of the biggest additions is the QR based Aadhaar sharing system, which allows users to verify their identity quickly without physically carrying Aadhaar documents.

The new platform also introduces a Selective Share feature that gives users greater control over personal information. Instead of sharing the complete Aadhaar profile, individuals can choose to share only specific details depending on the requirement. Users can selectively provide information such as their name, age, photograph, address, mobile number, gender or Aadhaar status.

UIDAI says the app can generate a QR code that can be scanned through authorized terminals for offline identity verification. This feature is expected to improve both security and ease of access during verification processes at various service centers and institutions.

The authority has also added biometric security controls within the app. Users will be able to lock their fingerprint, iris and facial authentication data directly through the application to prevent unauthorized usage. Whenever required, the biometric lock can also be removed easily using the app itself.

Apart from security upgrades, the app is designed to simplify account management. Users can update their Aadhaar linked mobile number and address digitally without visiting physical service centers in many cases. The application also allows users to add up to five family members through the profile management section, making it easier for households to manage Aadhaar related services from a single device.

Another major advantage of the new Aadhaar app is its support for 13 Indian languages. This multilingual support is expected to improve accessibility for users across different states and regions, especially for those more comfortable using digital services in local languages.

UIDAI has not yet clarified whether existing data from the older mAadhaar app will automatically transfer to the new platform. Because of this, many users may need to manually set up their profiles again after installing the updated app.

The Aadhaar app is already available for both Android and iPhone users through Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The app has also witnessed rapid adoption in a short period of time.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology stated that the new Aadhaar app had crossed more than 21 million downloads within just three months of launch. The ministry noted that the app is helping users access Aadhaar related services more conveniently from home, reducing the need for repeated visits to physical centers.

Officials believe the transition to the newer app marks another important step in India’s growing digital governance ecosystem, where citizens are increasingly relying on mobile based identity and verification services for everyday tasks.