Last updated: February 1st, 2019 1:45 AM

Lock Unlock Aadhaar Biometric Data

Aadhaar card is the most used government documents for identity and address proof. This has prompted UIDAI to provide facility to lock and unlock Aadhaar biometric data online. This assists the Aadhaar card users to protect biometric details from being misused. This article takes a closer look at how to lock and unlock Aadhaar Biometric data.

Features of Aadhaar Biometric Locking

The following are the features of Aadhaar Biometric Locking facility.

• Banks, telecom service providers and other similar agencies demand users verify their identity using the Aadhaar authentication.
• In order to safeguard the biometric authentication, UIDAI has taken measures by which the users can lock their biometrics from using against authentication.
• This signifies that until the biometrics is unlocked or disabled, authentication will not be possible via the biometric method.
• This facility locks the user's fingerprints and iris scan.
• The biometric lock can be unlocked temporarily for authentication.
• When it is unlocked, the user gets a period of ten minutes during which the biometric details can be authenticated.
• This biometric authentication will not be possible after ten minutes since the data locks automatically.
• If the user does not want to keep the biometrics locked, then the biometric lock can be disabled.
• Once the lock is disabled, there is no requirement to unlock the biometrics.
• To safeguard the details, the user has to lock the biometrics.
• The user has to login to UIDAI's portal to either lock or unlock Aadhaar biometrics or disable the lock.
• The user's mobile number has to be registered with Aadhaar to avail this facility.
• There is no fee required to lock, unlock or disable the biometric lock.

Online Procedure

Here are the steps to lock, unlock or disable biometric online. Step 1: Log in to the UIDAI's online portal to lock or unlock the biometrics. Step 2: Click 'Lock/ Unlock Biometrics' from the Aadhaar services section. Step 3: Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number along with the security code. Step 4: Click on 'Send OTP' option. Step 5: An OTP is sent to the registered mobile number. Step 6: Enter the OTP and then click on the Login button. Step 7: This enables the user to lock the biometrics. Step 8: Enter the four-digit security code that is mentioned on the screen and click on the 'Enable' button. Step 9: On doing this, the biometrics is locked, and it has to be unlocked if the user wants to reaccess it. Step 10: To unlock the biometrics, click on 'Login' button. Step 11: The user has to enter the Aadhaar number and security code in the respective space. Step 12: Now, click 'Send OTP' option. Step 13: An OTP is sent to the registered mobile number. Step 14: The user has to enter this OTP and click on the 'Login' button. Step 15: Enter the security code to temporarily unlock the biometrics and click on the 'Unlock' button. Step 16: The biometrics will be unlocked temporarily for ten minutes. Step 17: The locking date and time will be specified on the screen after which biometrics will be locked automatically. Step 18: If the user does not want to lock the biometrics, it can be locked permanently. Step 19: This biometric lock disabling is available only through the online portal. Step 20: To disable the lock, login to the UIDAI portal using the Aadhaar card. Step 21: Enter the Aadhaar number and security code. Step 22: Enter the security code and then click on 'Disable' button. Step 23: On locking it again, the Aadhaar biometrics will be disabled permanently.

mAadhaar Procedure

An alternate method to lock/ unlock biometrics is by using the mAadhaar app, which is the official app managed by UIDAI. Here are the steps to unlock biometric details in Aadhaar using the mAadhaar app. Step 1: The user has to download and install the mAadhaar app. Step 2: The user has to add the profile to the app. Step 3: Following this, the user has to open the Aadhaar profile in the app that is installed in the mobile. Step 4: The user has to click the three vertical dots that are on the top right corner of the app. Step 5: The user has to select the Biometric Settings option. Step 6: Once that is done, the user has to check for the OTP. Step 7: An OTP will be sent by UIDAI to the registered mobile number. Step 8: The OTP is automatically entered in the application, as there is no option to enter it manually. Step 9: The biometric is automatically locked after the approval of the task. It may take six hours to activate the lock.

 Verification of Aadhaar

A user can unlock the biometric details via the mAadhaar app by following the below-given steps. Step 1: The user has to login to the mAadhaar app. Step 2: The user has to add the profile to the app. Step 3: Following this, the user has to open the Aadhaar profile in the app that is installed in the mobile. Step 4: The user has to click the three vertical dots that are on the top right corner of the app. Step 5: The user has to select the Biometric Settings option. Step 6: The user has to unselect the Enable Biometric Locking option. Step 7: The user has to check to complete the process. Step 8: The user receives an OTP and is automatically entered in the app. Step 9: On approving the process, the biometrics will be unlocked temporarily for ten minutes. Step 10: The user can now authenticate using the biometric details. Step 11: The biometrics will be locked automatically after ten minutes. However, there is no provision to disable the biometric lock via the mAadhaar app. If a user wants to disable the biometric lock, he/ she has to visit the UIDAI Portal.