How to Lock and Unlock Aadhaar Biometric Online?

1. Agencies can access Aadhar holder’s biometric information if Aadhar information is shared with them.
2. UIDAI offers the option to lock your Aadhaar biometrics online to prevent misuse, thereby ensuring data privacy and security.
3. Aadhar cardholders can lock or unlock their biometrics either through the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app.
4. Aadhaar cannot be used for authentication through UID, OTP, or biometrics once locked.
5. Authentication of Aadhar can still be done using the 16-digit Virtual ID (VID).
6. Full authentication options can be allowed with VID remaining as an alternative by locking UID through the application or website.

Is it Always Necessary to Unlock Aadhaar Biometrics?

Make sure your Aadhaar biometric is unlocked before using it. If your card is locked, you are unable to use your Aadhaar biometric to access any services.

The Function and Significance of Biometric Locking

By locking your Aadhaar biometric, you can prevent hackers and criminals from abusing it. They cannot use your Aadhaar biometric to harm you, even if they know all the information about it.

What are the Ways to Lock Aadhaar Card Biometric?

The following are the ways to lock and unlock Aadhar Biometric:

UIDAI portal:

Lock:

Step 1 - Visit the official website of UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

Step 2 - Navigate to 'My Aadhaar' and select 'Aadhaar Services' option

Step 3 - Click on 'Lock or Unlock Biometrics’

Step 4 - Tick the box

Step 5 - Select 'Lock/Unlock Biometrics’

Step 6 - Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number

Step 7 - Enter the captcha code

Step 8 - Enter the OTP received on registered mobile number

Step 9 - Turn on the locking feature

Step 10 - After completing the process, the Aadhar data will be encrypted

Unlock:

Step 1 - Visit UIDAI's official website

Step 2 - From the 'My Aadhaar' option, select ‘'Lock/Unlock Biometrics'

Step 3 - Tick the declaration box

Step 4 - Click on 'Lock/Unlock Biometrics’ option

Step 5 - Enter the Aadhar number and captcha code

Step 6 - Click 'Get OTP' and enter the OTP to unlock the Aadhar biometrics

mAadhaar Application:

Lock:

Step 1 - Download mAadhar application on your mobile device

Step 2 - In the application's upper right corner, click on the three vertical dots

Step 3 - Under Biometric Settings, Check the Enable Biometric Locking box

Step 4 - OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number which will be entered into the required field of the application automatically

Step 5 - Once authorised, biometric gets locked which may take six hours to activate.

Unlock:

Step 1 - Open your mAadhaar app

Step 2 - Navigate to the profile section

Step 3 - Select the Biometric Settings option by clicking on the three dots

Step 4 - Uncheck the Enable Biometric Locking option

Step 5 - Click the tick mark

Step 6 - Enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number

Step 7 - Approve the process before biometrics are unlocked for 10 minutes

SMS:

Lock:

Step 1 - Type GET OTP (space) and the last four digits of your Aadhaar card number

Step 2 - Send this text from registered mobile number to 1947

Step 3 - Send another text message to 1947 by typing LOCKUID (space) the last four digits of your Aadhaar card number (space), and the previously obtained OTP.

Step 4 - A message will be delivered to your registered mobile number that confirms the current status of the Aadhar card number.

Unlock:

Step 1 - Send a text message to 1947 to create VID

Step 2 - Type GVID (space) last four digits of their Aadhaar card number

Step 3 - Candidates will receive the OTP after creating the VID

Step 4 - Type GET OTP (space) Virtual ID to receive the OTP and send this to 1947

Step 5 - Send another text by typing UNLOCK UID (space) last six digits of your Virtual ID (space) six digits of an OTP

Step 6 - An applicant will receive a text message from UIDAI, informing them about the current status of unlocking their Aadhaar card number after the verification is completed.

Features of Aadhaar Biometric Locking

The various features of Aadhaar biometric locking are mentioned below:

• The user's iris scan and fingerprints are locked under this service.
• Users are prompted to utilise Aadhaar authentication to confirm their identity by banks, telecom companies, and other organisations of this type.
• For authentication, the biometric lock may be momentarily unlocked.
• To lock, unlock, or disable the lock on Aadhaar biometrics, you must sign in to the UIDAI portal.
• Your Aadhaar-registered cellphone number receives an OTP.
• You won't be able to use this service if your cell number is not registered with UIDAI.

Aadhaar Biometric Unlock Time Period

The details about Aadhar biometric unlock time period is given below:

1. When unlocked via the myAadhaar website or mAadhaar app, Aadhaar remains unlocked for 10 minutes.
2. It gets locked automatically again after 10 minutes.
3. Before using Aadhaar, unlock the biometrics.
4. Unlock Aadhaar through the myAadhaar portal, mAadhaar app, or SMS to 1947.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Aadhaar Biometric Lock

The following is the list of advantages and disadvantages of Aadhar biometric lock:

1. Aadhaar is a widely accepted document which is a crucial proof of identity.
2. Locking Aadhar biometric prevents unauthorized access, thereby reducing the risk of Aadhar misuse.
3. No one can use the data when biometrics are locked.
4. Unlocking biometrics lasts for 10 minutes, after which it gets auto locked.
5. Locked biometrics cannot be used for authentication.
6. Individuals may face delays in unlocking, even if it is urgent.

Is Unlocking Aadhaar Biometrics Permanently Essential?

No, it is not essential to unlock Aadhar biometric permanently and here are the details about whether unlocking Aadhar biometric permanently is essential or not:

1. If frequent access is needed due to the repeated unlocking process, locking Aadhaar biometrics can be inconvenient.
2. Keeping Aadhaar biometrics unlocked permanently may compromise data security.
3. ‘Disable’ the lock to unlock biometrics permanently.

Aadhaar Holder 330 Biometric Locked

The system will display the "330" error code if you attempt to authenticate your Aadhaar card using your biometrics after locking it. It indicates that because the Aadhaar card is locked, biometric authentication is not possible.

The mAadhaar app, the UIDAI portal, or an SMS to 1947 can all be used to complete the Aadhaar biometric lock. It will be impossible for someone to misuse your Aadhaar card once you have locked it.