Guide

Masked Aadhaar: what it is, and how to download it

Hidden: First 8 digits, as xxxx-xxxx
Shown: Last 4 digits
Where: myAadhaar, as an e-Aadhaar

Hiding part of an Aadhaar number on a copy in DigiSafe

A masked Aadhaar is your e-Aadhaar with the first 8 digits of the number replaced by xxxx-xxxx. UIDAI treats it as a valid form of Aadhaar, so you can prove who you are without handing over your full number.

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Checked against the official sources on 20 October 2026. DigiSafe is a private app, not connected with these offices.

A real moment

“A hotel desk asks for an ID copy. You want to show you have an Aadhaar, but not leave your full 12-digit number in a stranger's file.”

A masked Aadhaar is an e-Aadhaar where the first 8 digits are replaced with xxxx-xxxx and only the last 4 show. Download it on myAadhaar: enter your Aadhaar number or VID, tick "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?", and verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile.

Masked Aadhaar, regular e-Aadhaar and Virtual ID (VID)

Masked Aadhaar, regular e-Aadhaar and Virtual ID (VID)
	Regular e-Aadhaar	Masked Aadhaar	Virtual ID (VID)
What it shows	All 12 digits	Only the last 4 digits	A 16-digit number in place of Aadhaar
Where to get it	myAadhaar download	myAadhaar download, masked box ticked	myAadhaar, or an SMS to 1947
Can it change?	No	No	Yes, a new VID after at least one day
Can someone work out your number?	It is printed in full	Not from the copy	No, says UIDAI

UIDAI's own definition and steps

Valid like the other forms of Aadhaar

Masked Aadhaar, e-Aadhaar and VID compared

Hidden

First 8 digits, as xxxx-xxxx

Shown

Last 4 digits

Where

myAadhaar, as an e-Aadhaar

Validity

A valid form of Aadhaar, says UIDAI

What UIDAI says a masked Aadhaar is

UIDAI's FAQ: in a masked Aadhaar, the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number are masked and only the last 4 are visible. It also says the masked option exists only in e-Aadhaar, so there is no masked paper letter or PVC card.

How to download it

Open Download Aadhaar on myAadhaar. Choose how to identify yourself: your 12-digit Aadhaar number, 16-digit Virtual ID, 28-digit enrolment ID or SID. Enter it with the captcha, tick "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?", and verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile. UIDAI's Aadhaar app FAQ mentions downloading e-Aadhaar but not a masked copy, so use myAadhaar for this one.

The password

Masked Aadhaar is a form of e-Aadhaar, so UIDAI's e-Aadhaar password rule applies: the first 4 letters of your name in capitals, then your year of birth. SURESH KUMAR, born 1990, opens his with SURE1990.

Is a masked Aadhaar valid?

Yes. A UIDAI circular of September 2020 calls masked e-Aadhaar a valid proof of identity, treated at par with the other forms, and a UIDAI circular of 30 April 2026 again names masked e-Aadhaar among the forms of Aadhaar notified earlier, alongside the Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, the Aadhaar card and m-Aadhaar. UIDAI does not say whether every bank or telecom KYC will take a masked copy, so ask before you send one.

When to use it

Use it when someone only needs to see that you have an Aadhaar. UIDAI's January 2023 guidelines tell entities that verify Aadhaar offline to check the QR code instead of accepting a physical or electronic copy as proof, and to mask the number on any copy they must store. A May 2022 advisory telling people not to share photocopies, and to use a masked copy instead, was withdrawn two days later; the withdrawal advised only normal prudence in using and sharing your Aadhaar number.

The QR code still works

UIDAI says the secure QR code is on every form of Aadhaar, including e-Aadhaar. It holds the last 4 digits, your name, address, gender, date of birth and photo, and only UIDAI's own apps can read it: the Aadhaar app, the Aadhaar QR Scanner app or UIDAI's Windows reader.

A VID hides your number in forms

A Virtual ID is a temporary 16-digit number linked to your Aadhaar, and UIDAI says your Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from it. Generate it on myAadhaar, or send GVID and the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar to 1947 by SMS from your registered mobile. Only one VID is valid at a time.

Mask a copy you already have

Scanned your full Aadhaar card already? DigiSafe can hide the first 8 digits on any copy before it leaves your phone, and stamp a watermark that says what the copy is for. It cannot import a locked PDF yet, so save an unlocked copy of your e-Aadhaar first. DigiSafe is a private app, not connected with UIDAI, and free today, with no ads.

Step by step

1
Open Download Aadhaar on myAadhaar, UIDAI's official site.
2
Choose Aadhaar number, VID, enrolment ID or SID, and enter it with the captcha.
3
Tick "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?"
4
Verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile, and download.
5
Open the PDF with the first 4 letters of your name in capitals plus your birth year.
6
Share the masked copy when only the last 4 digits are needed.

Questions people ask

What is masked Aadhaar?+

An e-Aadhaar where the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number are replaced with xxxx-xxxx, and only the last 4 digits show. UIDAI offers it on myAadhaar.

How do I download a masked Aadhaar?+

On myAadhaar's Download Aadhaar page, enter your Aadhaar number, VID, enrolment ID or SID with the captcha, tick "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?", and verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile.

Is masked Aadhaar valid?+

Yes. A UIDAI circular of 2020 calls masked e-Aadhaar a valid proof of identity, and one of April 2026 names it among the forms of Aadhaar. Some KYC processes may still ask for your full number, so check with them first.

What is the password for masked Aadhaar?+

Masked Aadhaar is a form of e-Aadhaar, so the e-Aadhaar rule applies: the first 4 letters of your name in capitals, then your year of birth, such as SURE1990.

Can I get a masked Aadhaar PVC card?+

No. UIDAI says the masked option is available only in e-Aadhaar. The PVC card shows your full number.

What is the difference between masked Aadhaar and VID?+

A masked Aadhaar is a copy of your e-Aadhaar showing only the last 4 digits. A VID is a separate 16-digit number you can give in place of your Aadhaar number, and you can replace it with a new one.

Can I download a masked Aadhaar without my registered mobile?+

The download needs the OTP sent to the mobile registered with your Aadhaar. If you no longer have it, update the number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra first.

Is DigiSafe connected with UIDAI?+

No. DigiSafe is a private app. Download your masked Aadhaar only from UIDAI's myAadhaar site.

Where this comes from

Official sources, dated.

Every official detail on this page comes from the pages listed here, last checked on 20 October 2026. Fees, rules and links can change after that date. DigiSafe is a private app, not connected with these offices, and cannot guarantee them, so check the official page before you pay or rely on them.