Aadhaar holders can lock and unlock their Aadhaar Number via SMS. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a service called “Aadhaar Services on SMS” which enables Aadhaar Number holders, who do not have access to internet/resident portal/m-Aadhaar etc. to use various Aadhaar services like Virtual ID generation/retrieval, Aadhaar lock/unlock etc. through SMS.

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Aadhaar service can be availed by sending SMS from registered mobile to 1947. Resident can perform VID Generation/Retrieval, Lock/Unlock Aadhaar Number etc. by sending an SMS in the given format to 1947 from their registered mobile number, as per the information provided by UIDAI.

 

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It can be noted that the feature to lock and unlock your Aadhaar Number has been introduced by UIDAI to further strengthen your privacy and security. After locking your Aadhaar Number, authentication cannot be performed using Aadhaar Number.

In that case you may use your Virtual ID to perform Authentication. This will prevent the misuse of your Aadhaar Number by anyone else. Unlocking your Aadhaar Number will resume the use of Aadhaar Number for authentication.

How to Lock/Unlock Aadhaar Number with SMS service?

You can follow the below mentioned steps to lock your Aadhaar Number:

1. Send OTP request as -> GETOTPLAST 4 or 8 DIGITs of Aadhaar Number.

2. Then send Locking Request as -> LOCKUIDLast 4 or 8 DIGIT of Aadhaar Number 6 DIGIT OTP.

3. You will get a confirmation message for your request.

4. Once it is locked you will not be able to perform any form of Authentication (Biometric, Demographic or OTP) using your Aadhaar Number. However, you can still use your latest Virtual ID for performing Authentication.

For unlocking Aadhaar Number you must have your latest Virtual ID.

1. Send OTP request with last 6 or 10 DIGITs of Virtual ID number as -> GETOTPLAST 6 or 10 DIGITs Virtual ID.

2. Then send Unlocking Request as -> UNLOCKUIDLAST 6 or 10 DIGIT Virtual ID 6 DIGIT OTP.

It can be noted that OTP authentication is must for Aadhaar lock/unlock and Biometric lock/unlock function. however, no OTP is required for VID generation and retrieval function. To get OTP send SMS -> GETOTPLAST 4 or 8 DIGITs of Aadhaar Number, for example - GETOTP 1234.