Brief Overview
- A new Aadhaar App has officially launched and will replace the discontinued mAadhaar.
- It will feature enhanced privacy and security for 140+ crore users.
- Available on the Play Store/App Store as “Aadhaar” with the Pehchaan logo.
After discontinuing the mAadhar app, the Government of India has officially launched a next-generation Aadhar app. This will focus on providing the users with a more privacy-focused platform.
The new Aadhar app was formally announced on January 28, 2026, by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
Let us take a look at the changes that will be available with the new Aadhar app.
Why a New Aadhaar App?
As a move to introduce a smarter, more secure, and privacy-focused platform, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) decided to discontinue the old mAadhaar app.
The new Aadhaar app focuses on user privacy and enhanced security, given that there are over 140 crore Aadhaar holders across India.
Aadhaar App: Features
The new Aadhaar app will include features designed for everyday convenience and security.
Digital Aadhaar Storage: You can store your Aadhaar card on your phone in a digital format.
Multi-Profile Support: You can manage up to 5 Aadhaar profiles with a single phone number.
Biometric Lock: For increased security, you can lock/unlock biometric data within the app.
Selective Data Sharing: You have the liberty to share only specific details (name, photo, address) instead of the full Aadhaar.
QR Code Verification: Verification can be done by scanning encrypted QR codes without any physical documents.
Information Updates: One highlight is that you can update your mobile number and address instantly from the app without visiting centers.
Authentication: With the new app, you can track where, when, and how your Aadhaar was used previously for complete transparency.
Contact Card QR: Share contact details securely without exposing full identity information.
Privacy-First Design
With this new app, the government has made it clear that the only motive behind the change is to provide users with an experience with maximum privacy and minimum data.
This means that now the users have full control over what personal information they share, which will also address the issue of data exposure.
Offline verification via QR codes means you can prove your identity without sharing your 12-digit Aadhaar number or biometrics.
Aadhar App: Where to Download
The new Aadhar App is available on the Apple App Store for iOS users, and for Android users, it is available on the Google Play Store.
The app is simply identified as the Aadhar app with the logo. Users of the old mAadhaar app are being actively directed to migrate to the new version as mAadhaar gets discontinued.
Conclusion
The launch focuses on creating India’s Digital Public Infrastructure vision, which will make identity verification more secure, accessible, and user-friendly for essentials like banking, government welfare schemes, and telecom connections.
Other than that, the app also supports contactless verification use cases, which include hotel check-ins, event registrations, and age-gated access.
FAQs
What is the new Aadhaar app launched by UIDAI?
UIDAI’s new Aadhaar app is a digital Aadhaar app for secure ID storage, sharing, and verification.
Is the mAadhaar app being replaced?
mAadhaar is not fully replaced yet; some reports say the new app is meant to replace it, while others still treat mAadhaar as active.
What are the features of the new Aadhaar app?
Key features: up to five profiles, biometric lock, masked data sharing, QR verification, and offline access.
How can I download the new Aadhaar app?
Download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and set it up with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and OTP.
