Lock Unlock Aadhaar Biometric Data

Locking/unlocking biometrics is a very simple and easy process. You have to follow these steps to lock biometrics online:

Step 1: Visit UIDAI’s portal and select the “Lock/Unlock Biometrics” from the Aadhaar Services section
Step 2: Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number, security code and click on the Send OTP option
Step 3: An OTP will be sent to your mobile number registered with Aadhaar
Step 4: Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number and click on the Login button that will allow you to lock your biometrics
Step 5: Enter the 4-digit security code mentioned on the screen and click on the “Enable” button
Step 6: Your biometrics will be locked and you will have to unlock them in case you want to access them again

How to Unlock Aadhaar Biometrics Online

You can unlock the biometrics as well. To unlock your biometrics, click on the “Login” button
Step 1: Enter your Aadhaar number and the security code in the space provided
Step 2: Now click on the “Send OTP” button to send the OTP to the registered mobile number
Step 3: Enter this OTP in the space provided and click on the “Login” button
Step 4: In case you want to temporarily unlock the biometrics, enter the security code and click on the “Unlock” button
Your biometrics will be unlocked temporarily for 10 minutes. The locking date and time is mentioned on the screen after which biometrics will be automatically locked.

How to Disable Aadhaar Biometrics Online

When you do not want to have a lock on your biometrics, you can disable the lock permanently. Biometric lock disabling is available only through the online portal. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: To disable the lock, login to the UIDAI portal using your Aadhaar card
Step 2: Enter your Aadhaar number and the security code to login into your account
Step 3: Enter the security code and click on the “Disable” button

Your Aadhaar biometrics will be disabled permanently till you lock it again.

Another method to lock/unlock biometrics is through the mAadhaar app which is the official app managed by UIDAI. You have to follow these steps to unlock biometric details in Aadhar through the mAadhaar app:

Step 1: Login to your mAadhaar app
Step 2: On the top right corner of the app, click on the hamburger icon (three vertical dots)
Step 3: Select the Biometric Settings option and tick the Enable Biometric Locking option
Step 4: An OTP will be requested from your mobile number and is fed automatically in the application (There is no option to enter the OTP manually)
Step 5: Your biometric is locked after you approve it. However, it may take up to 6 hours to activate the lock

How to Unlock Aadhaar Biometrics through mAadhaar

When you have to verify Aadhaar using your biometrics, you can unlock your biometric details through the mAadhaar app. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Login to your mAadhaar app and open your profile in the app
Step 2: On the top right corner of the app, click on the three vertical dots and select the Biometric Settings option
Step 3: Unselect the Enable Biometric Locking option and click on the tick mark to complete the process
Step 4: An OTP will be sent and fed automatically in the app
Step 5: You will have to approve the process after which your biometrics will be unlocked temporarily for 10 minutes.

During this period, you can authenticate using your biometric details. Your biometrics will be locked automatically after 10 minutes. There is no provision to disable biometric lock through the mAadhaar app. In case you want to disable your biometric lock, you will have to visit UIDAI’s portal.

• Banks, telecom service providers and other such agencies ask users to verify their identity using Aadhaar authentication.
• Under this service, the user’s fingerprints and iris scan is locked.
• The biometric lock can be unlocked temporarily for authentication.
• You do not have to unlock your biometrics once you have disabled the lock.
• In order to protect your details again, you have to lock your biometrics.
• You will have to login to UIDAI’s portal to either lock, unlock Aadhaar biometrics or disable the lock
• Your mobile number should be registered with Aadhaar to avail this facility
• An OTP is sent to your mobile number registered with Aadhaar
• In case your mobile number is not registered with UIDAI, you will not be able to avail this service
• You will have to first link your mobile number with Aadhaar to avail this facility

Q. What is Aadhaar lock and unlock?
A. To prevent misuse of biometric authentication, UIDAI has made provisions through which users can lock their biometrics from being used for authentication. This means that until and unless the biometrics is unlocked or disabled, authentication will not be possible through the biometric method.

Q. For how long does the Aadhaar biometrics remain unlocked?
A. When unlocked, the user gets a window of 10 minutes during which he can authenticate his biometric details. The biometric authentication will not be possible after 10 minutes as the data is locked automatically.

Q. What is the fee for Aadhaar Biometric lock?
A. You do not have to pay a fee to lock, unlock or disable the biometric lock.

Q. What if I do not want to keep my Aadhaar biometric locked?
A. In case you do not want to keep your biometrics locked, you can disable the biometric lock.

Q. Can I send OTP on a different mobile number while using mAadhaar?
A. You don’t have to enter the OTP to login to mAadhaar. It is fed directly in the mAadhaar app.