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 ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Instant — effective immediately on lock/unlock
- Issuing Authority
- UIDAI
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
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
RequiredIdentifies your Aadhaar record for the biometric lock/unlock request.
12-digit Aadhaar to log in.
digitalAadhaar-linked mobile
RequiredOTP-based authentication confirms you are the legitimate Aadhaar holder performing the lock/unlock.
For OTP verification at every step.
digitalVirtual ID (VID)
OptionalActs as a proxy for Aadhaar number when unlocking biometrics — prevents your full Aadhaar number from being used when biometrics are locked.
16-digit Virtual ID — auto-generated by UIDAI and refreshable. Required to unlock biometrics once locked.
digital
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
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
- Approving Officer
- UIDAI Regional Director
- For Offline Applications
- Nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra (for mobile update if needed)
What happens after applying
- 1
VID generation
Before locking, generate a VID — this is your unlock key. The VID is sent to your registered mobile.
- 2
Biometric lock
Authenticate on myAadhaar with Aadhaar + OTP and select 'Lock Biometrics'. Lock is effective immediately.
- 3
Temporary unlock (when needed)
Authenticate with VID + OTP and select 'Unlock'. A 10-minute window opens for biometric authentication.
- 4
Re-lock
After completing your biometric transaction, immediately re-lock to restore protection.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Locking biometrics without generating a VID first
Why: Once locked, you can only unlock using a VID. If you don't have one, you're locked out of any biometric-only service until you regenerate a VID.
Fix: Always generate and save your VID before locking. The VID is sent to your registered mobile — note it down.
Assuming biometric lock blocks all Aadhaar use
Why: Locking only blocks fingerprint and iris-based authentication. OTP-based and demographic authentication still work normally.
Fix: Use biometric lock alongside other measures (e.g., lock your Aadhaar number too if needed). Don't rely on it to block all services.
Forgetting to re-lock after a temporary unlock
Why: The unlock window is 10 minutes, after which auto-lock may apply. But manual re-locking is more reliable to confirm the lock status.
Fix: Immediately re-lock after completing the biometric transaction. Check the lock status on myAadhaar to confirm.
Regenerating VID unnecessarily
Why: Each new VID replaces the previous one. If you regenerate a VID, the old VID stops working. If you shared the old VID with a service, that link breaks.
Fix: Only regenerate VID when needed. Keep your current VID saved securely.
Trying to unlock biometrics for a bank service that uses OTP KYC
Why: Banks and telcos mostly use OTP-based KYC, not biometric. Unlocking biometrics is unnecessary for these services.
Fix: Check whether the service you need actually requires biometric Aadhaar. If OTP KYC is available, use that without unlocking biometrics.
Special situations
Your registered mobile is deactivated after locking biometrics▾
You cannot receive OTP for unlocking. You need to visit a UIDAI enrolment centre to update the mobile number — biometrics may need to be unlocked via the centre.
A government welfare scheme requires biometric Aadhaar authentication (e.g., PDS ration)▾
You need to temporarily unlock your biometrics before visiting the ration shop or scheme authentication point. Unlock just before the visit and re-lock after.
Banking correspondent (BC) or Common Service Centre requires biometric Aadhaar for transactions▾
Unlock biometrics for the 10-minute window at the time of the transaction. Re-lock immediately after.
New enrolment at a telecom operator requiring biometric KYC▾
Most telcos now use OTP KYC (Video KYC or DigiLocker-based). If biometric is required, unlock temporarily. If OTP KYC is available, choose it without unlocking.
Child under 15 has Aadhaar biometrics — mandatory biometric update at 15▾
When the child turns 15, biometrics must be updated at a UIDAI enrolment centre as part of the mandatory biometric update. Locked biometrics will need to be temporarily unlocked at the centre for this.
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.
How long does the temporary unlock last?▾
The temporary unlock is valid for 10 minutes from the time you unlock. After that, biometrics are automatically re-locked.
Can I lock my Aadhaar number itself, not just biometrics?▾
Yes. UIDAI offers a separate Aadhaar lock feature that blocks authentication entirely (even OTP-based). This is different from the biometric-only lock described in this guide.
Does biometric lock affect my e-Aadhaar download?▾
No. e-Aadhaar download uses OTP, not biometrics. You can download your e-Aadhaar even with biometrics locked.
Is it safe to share my VID with a service?▾
Your VID is a proxy for your Aadhaar number and can be shared with services that require it. If you share a VID and want to revoke it, regenerate a new VID — the old one becomes invalid.
Will biometric lock protect me from SIM swap fraud?▾
Partially. SIM swap attackers use OTP-based methods, which biometric lock doesn't block. For SIM swap protection, monitor your telecom account and report suspicious activity immediately.
Does locking biometrics affect Aadhaar-based EPF or income tax login?▾
No. EPFO and Income Tax use OTP-based Aadhaar authentication. Biometric lock does not affect these services.
Can I lock biometrics via an SMS or IVRS?▾
UIDAI's primary biometric lock interface is online (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in). Check the UIDAI website or call 1947 to know if alternate channels are currently available.
What happens if a bank or agency tries biometric Aadhaar authentication while my biometrics are locked?▾
The authentication fails and the transaction is rejected. The agency will see an error indicating biometrics are locked and should suggest an OTP alternative.
If I lock biometrics and then move to a new phone number, can I still unlock?▾
No — OTP for unlocking goes to the registered Aadhaar mobile. If you've changed your number without updating Aadhaar, you lose OTP access. Always update your Aadhaar mobile number when you change SIMs.
Can a minor lock their Aadhaar biometrics?▾
Yes. Minors' Aadhaar biometrics can be locked by their parents/guardians via the myAadhaar portal, using the mobile number registered with the minor's Aadhaar.
Is there a limit on how many times I can lock and unlock?▾
UIDAI does not publicly specify a limit on lock/unlock cycles. You can lock and unlock as frequently as needed without restriction.
Official sources
- myAadhaar — Lock / Unlock Biometrics ↗
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
Official UIDAI page to lock or unlock Aadhaar biometrics.
- myAadhaar — Generate VID ↗
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
Generate or retrieve your Virtual ID before locking biometrics.
- UIDAI — Official Website ↗
uidai.gov.in
UIDAI's main portal for all Aadhaar services and security features.
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.