How to lock your Aadhaar biometrics and check where your Aadhaar was used

AI-generated illustration by CyberShitty. Not a photograph or a document from the organisations named.

Your fingerprint, iris and face can be used to confirm your identity through Aadhaar, including at bank business correspondents under the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), where cash can be withdrawn with a fingerprint. Criminals have used cloned fingerprints to do exactly that.

UIDAI lets you lock your biometrics. While they are locked, UIDAI says no one can use them for Aadhaar authentication by any means. OTP-based authentication keeps working, and you can unlock whenever you need to give a fingerprint.

Use it when

• You rarely need to give your fingerprint or iris for Aadhaar, and want to close that door.
• Money was withdrawn from your account through AePS without your knowledge.
• Your authentication history shows entries you do not recognise.

Not the right tool when

• Money already taken: call 1930 and tell your bank as well. The lock prevents future misuse; it does not recover money.
• Blocking every kind of Aadhaar authentication, including OTP: that is a separate control, Aadhaar (UID) Lock.

Keep this ready

• Your Aadhaar number
• The mobile number registered with Aadhaar, for the OTP. Without one you cannot use these online services; update it at an Aadhaar centre first

Step by step

1. Log in to myAadhaar with your Aadhaar number and the OTP sent to your registered mobile. You can also use UIDAI's Aadhaar app, which offers biometric lock and unlock in one tap.
2. Open Lock / Unlock Biometrics.
3. Read the declaration that you will not be able to use biometric authentication until you unlock, accept it, and lock.
4. The status should show that your biometrics are locked.
5. When you need your fingerprint for a bank, SIM or ration shop, use the temporary unlock (myAadhaar allows 10 minutes; it locks again after that) or unlock permanently.
6. To check use, open Authentication History on myAadhaar, choose a date range and fetch it. It covers the last six months and shows which agency authenticated you and how.

What happens next

• Any biometric authentication tried on a locked Aadhaar fails.
• Biometrics stay locked until you unlock them or switch the lock off.
• If the history shows authentication you did not do, file a complaint with UIDAI on myAadhaar or call 1947, and if money is involved, call 1930 and your bank.

Know the limits

• The lock does not stop OTP-based authentication. Never share an Aadhaar OTP.
• You need a registered mobile number to use these services.
• Share a masked Aadhaar (only the last four digits visible) where the full number is not needed. You can download it from myAadhaar.

Numbers to know

• UIDAI helpline: 1947
• UIDAI email: help@uidai.gov.in
• Money lost through AePS or other fraud: 1930

Related guides

• Aadhaar or PAN leaked in a data breach? How to lock it down and check for misuse
• Lost money in a UPI fraud? What to do in the first hour, and how to complain on 1930