How to Lock and Unlock Your Aadhaar Biometrics
Lock your Aadhaar biometrics to block unauthorised fingerprint or iris-based authentication — and unlock them temporarily when needed. Step by step on the UIDAI portal.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- uidai.gov.in ↗
Aadhaar biometric lock is UIDAI's defence against fingerprint cloning and SIM-swap-style biometric fraud. When locked, no agency — bank, telco, government department, anyone — can complete a biometric authentication against your Aadhaar.
There's a catch: once locked, you need a Virtual ID (VID) to unlock. Always generate a VID before locking your biometrics. If you ever lose track of your VID, you can regenerate it with just an OTP on the registered mobile.
A common misuse: people lock Aadhaar expecting it'll block all use of their number. It won't. Demographic and OTP-based authentication still work — only fingerprint / iris is blocked.
Eligibility
- You hold an Aadhaar.
- You have an active mobile number registered with Aadhaar for OTP.
- You have generated a Virtual ID (VID) — required after the first lock to unlock or re-lock biometrics.
Required documents
Aadhaar number
12-digit Aadhaar to log in.
Aadhaar-linked mobile
For OTP verification at every step.
Virtual ID (VID)
16-digit Virtual ID — auto-generated by UIDAI and refreshable. Required to unlock biometrics once locked.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Generate your Virtual ID (VID)
Go to the UIDAI VID generation page and request a VID. Save the 16-digit number that comes by SMS.
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in ↗ - 2
Open the Lock / Unlock Biometrics page
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and choose 'Lock / Unlock Biometrics'.
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in ↗ - 3
Log in with Aadhaar + OTP
Enter your Aadhaar number and OTP to authenticate.
- 4
Choose to lock
Confirm the action. Once locked, no agency can authenticate you using fingerprint or iris until you unlock.
- 5
To unlock temporarily — use VID
Visit the same page, choose 'Unlock', and authenticate with your VID + OTP. The unlock is valid for 10 minutes; you must re-lock manually or wait for auto-lock.
- 6
Re-lock for ongoing protection
After completing the biometric authentication you needed, repeat the lock step to keep your biometrics protected.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
uidai.gov.in
Common mistakes
- Locking biometrics without first generating a VID — you'll have no way to unlock without contacting UIDAI support.
- Treating Aadhaar lock as 'card disabled' — your demographic data (name, DOB, address) remains accessible. Only biometric authentication is blocked.
- Forgetting to re-lock after a temporary unlock — auto re-lock isn't instant. Manually re-lock right after.
- Mixing up Aadhaar number and VID — Aadhaar is 12 digits, VID is 16 digits.
Frequently asked questions
What does locking biometrics actually block?▾
It blocks any agency from authenticating you using fingerprint or iris scan against UIDAI. Demographic and OTP-based authentication still work.
Will locking Aadhaar stop me from getting bank or telecom services?▾
No. Banks and telcos primarily use OTP-based KYC, which still works. Only services that strictly need biometric eKYC will fail.
Is locking biometrics free?▾
Yes, the lock / unlock service is free of charge.
I locked my biometrics and forgot my VID. How do I unlock?▾
Regenerate VID on the UIDAI portal — you only need OTP on the registered mobile to get a fresh VID.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.