Key Points
- Aadhaar App downloaded 3.1 crore times in under five months since launch
- Nearly 40 lakh users have updated mobile numbers through the app
- App enables hotel check-ins, hospital admissions and gig worker verification
The Unique Identification Authority of India’s Aadhaar App has crossed 3.1 crore downloads in less than five months since its launch, with nearly 40 lakh users completing mobile number updates and 8.5 lakh updating their addresses through the smartphone application, according to UIDAI data released on Monday (22 June).
The download figures suggest growing adoption of self-service Aadhaar updates, which previously required visits to Aadhaar Seva Kendras or authorised centres. The app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, allows residents to make changes to their Aadhaar records directly from their smartphones without visiting a physical centre.
What the Aadhaar App offers
The application provides identity verification services designed to reduce the need for physical document carrying. Users can download their e-Aadhaar — an electronic version of the Aadhaar card that is legally equivalent to the physical card — directly through the app.
The app also includes a biometric lock feature that allows residents to disable their biometric authentication with a single tap, adding a layer of protection against unauthorised use of fingerprint or iris data.
Face verification through the app serves as proof of presence, meaning users can confirm their identity remotely without providing fingerprints.
The app maintains an authentication history log, allowing residents to track when and where their Aadhaar was used for verification. A QR-based contact card feature lets users share contact details digitally instead of exchanging physical visiting cards.
Practical applications
The app supports several real-world verification scenarios that previously required physical Aadhaar cards or printed copies. Hotels can verify guest identity by scanning a QR code through the Offline Verification Seeking Entity system — a method that confirms identity without connecting to the central UIDAI database, thereby protecting user privacy. Hospital admissions, visitor management at offices and event entry checks can similarly use the app-based verification.
Gig economy platforms and service aggregators can use the app to verify the identity of delivery personnel, drivers and other service partners. This addresses a long-standing challenge in the platform economy where identity verification of workers has relied on document uploads that are difficult to authenticate in real time.
The app also allows users to book appointments at Aadhaar Seva Kendras for services that still require in-person visits, such as biometric updates or corrections that need physical verification.
Aadhaar App Download
Android users can download the Aadhaar App from the Google Play Store, while iOS users can access it through Apple’s App Store. The app requires users to authenticate using their registered mobile number before accessing services.
By the numbers
- 3.1 crore
- Aadhaar App downloads in under five months
- 40 lakh
- Mobile number updates via the app
- 8.5 lakh
- Address updates completed through the app
The UIDAI has positioned the app as a privacy-first solution, with most verification features designed to work offline or share only the minimum data required for a specific verification request.
The previous mAadhaar app remains available but has not received the feature updates included in the new application.
Your Questions, Answered
How do I update my mobile number on Aadhaar using the app?
Download the Aadhaar App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store, authenticate using your existing registered mobile number, and follow the mobile number update option. The service allows direct updates without visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
Is the Aadhaar App different from mAadhaar?
Yes. The new Aadhaar App launched in early 2026 includes features not available in the older mAadhaar application, including face verification, biometric lock with single-tap control, QR-based contact sharing and offline verification capabilities.
Can I use the Aadhaar App for hotel check-in?
Yes. Hotels registered as Offline Verification Seeking Entities can scan a QR code from your app to verify your identity without connecting to the central UIDAI database. This confirms identity while limiting the data shared with the hotel.
What is the biometric lock feature in the Aadhaar App?
The biometric lock allows you to disable your fingerprint and iris data from being used for authentication. When locked, no one can use your biometrics to authenticate your Aadhaar, even if they have access to your physical biometric data.
