Masked Aadhaar Card: How to Create Masked Aadhaar Card Using Different Methods

The usage of a masked Aadhaar card will prevent your card from being misused. Here is how you can download the same.

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The Aadhaar card is one of the most used ID proof documents in India for KYC/e-KYC, address proof, name proof, and Date of Birth. All the Indian citizens will have an Aadhaar card, which will have a unique 12 digit printed on it along with the name, DoB, Gender, card number, and address. With multiple use cases for Aadhaar card, it is always good to have a soft copy of the Aadhaar card handy on phone as well as a computer.

While the Aadhaar card can be downloaded with full details easily from the Aadhaar website or with the help of the app, recently the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) issued a statement when it advised people to use a masked Aadhaar card which displays only the last 4 digits of Aadhaar number to be used as the full 12 digits can be misused by other parties. In some cases, instead of sharing the Aadhaar card copy via mail or WhatsApp with the full 12 digits, you can alternatively use the masked Aadhaar copy.

In this article, we will take a look at what a masked Aadhaar card is and how to download the same in multiple ways using the app as well as the official website.

Also Read: New Aadhaar Card Registration: How to Apply for Aadhaar Card Online, List of Documents Required, More

What is a Masked Aadhaar Card and Why Should You Use it?

A masked Aadhaar card option allows you to mask the first eight-digit and replaces it with “X”. Only the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar will be visible. Mask Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded Aadhaar. Apart from the first eight digits of your Aadhaar card, everything else like name, DoB, address, and gender will be visible on the masked e-Aadhaar copy.

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card Using MyAadhaar Website

  1. Visit the myAadhaar websitemyAadhar login
  2. Click on “Login”
  3. Enter your Aadhaar Number
  4. Enter the Captcha
  5. Click on “Send OTP”
  6. Enter the OTP that will be sent to your registered phone number
  7. Once you have entered the OTP and it is verified, you will be taken to the myAadhaar Dashboard
  8. Select the “Download Aadhaar” option
  9. In the preview, select “Do you want a masked Aadhaar?”
  10. Click on “Download”
  11. Your Masked Aadhaar card will be downloaded Masked Aadhar Card Download

To open the Masked Aadhaar card pdf file, you will have to enter an 8 character password. This will be a combination of the first four letters of your name (as in Aadhaar) in UPPER/CAPITAL letters and Year of Birth in YYYY format.

Also Read: Aadhaar Update: How to Link Your Aadhaar Card with Mobile Number – Online and Offline

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card Using mAadhaar App

  1. Download and install the mAadhaar app
  2. Open the app
  3. Under “All Services”, tap on “Download Aadhaar”
  4. Select “Masked Aadhaar” as your preference
  5. Choose Aadhaar Number, VID Number, or Enrolment ID depending on what you have handy
  6. Enter the Number/ID on the next screen
  7. Enter security Captcha
  8. Tap on Request OTP, enter the OTP and click on “Verify”
  9. Once the OTP is verified, your Aadhaar card will be downloaded
  10. Tap on Open

You have to enter the 8 character password to open the pdf, which will be a combination of the first four letters of your name (as in Aadhaar). If you want to use it anytime later, you can check the download folder to get the Masked Aadhaar card.

Also Read:

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Using EID (Enrollment ID)

Enrollment ID will be provided once to have applied for an Aadhaar card or given new details to be updated on your existing Aadhaar card. This will be provided after you have successfully completed the new enrollment or update process.
The EID will be on the top of your enrolment/acknowledgement slip. It is a 28 digit number with 14 digit enrolment number (Eg: 1234/12345/12345) and the 14 digit date and time (yyyy/mm/dd hh:mm:ss) of enrolment. These 28 digits together form your EID. Here is how you can download a masked Aadhaar card using EID.

This facility is currently available only through the app.

  1. Download and install the mAadhaar app
  2. Open the app
  3. Under “All Services”, tap on “Download Aadhaar”
  4. Select “Masked Aadhaar” as your preference
  5. Choose Enrollment ID
  6. Enter the EID on the next screen
  7. Enter security Captcha
  8. Tap on Request OTP, enter the OTP and click on “Verify”
  9. Once the OTP is verified, your Aadhaar card will be downloaded
  10. Tap on Open

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Using VID

In case you do not have an Aadhaar number or EID, you can use the Virtual ID or VID. This is a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped with the Aadhaar number. You can generate a VID by heading to this link. There is no expiry period defined for VID. It will be valid till the time a new VID is generated by the Aadhaar number holder.

This facility is currently available only through the app.

  1. Open the app
  2. Under “All Services”, tap on “Download Aadhaar”
  3. Select “Masked Aadhaar” as your preference
  4. Choose Virtual ID
  5. Enter the VID on the next screen
  6. Enter security Captcha
  7. Tap on Request OTP, enter the OTP and click on “Verify”
  8. Once the OTP is verified, your Aadhaar card will be downloaded
  9. Tap on Open

FAQs

How many times can I download my e-Aadhaar or masked Aadhaar?

There is no limit on how many times you can download the regular or masked Aadhaar card, but it is always best to have a copy available for quick usage as sometimes, there might be some server issues.

What is the password for masked Aadhaar?

Once you have downloaded the masked Aadhaar card file, you will have to enter an 8 character password. This password will be a combination of the first four letters of your name (as in Aadhaar) in UPPER/CAPITAL letters and Year of Birth in YYYY format.

For example, if your name is Aakash Sharma and your date of birth is 21/10/1997, your password will be “AAKA1997”.

What is the difference between a masked Aadhaar and a regular Aadhaar card?

The only major difference between a masked and a regular Aadhaar card is that on the masked Aadhaar, the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number will be masked out, while on the regular Aadhaar card, all 12 digits will be visible. On a masked Aadhaar card, the first 8 digits will be masked as “XXXX XXXX ” followed by the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar card.

Is masked Aadhaar valid?

Yes, the masked Aadhaar card is valid for multiple use cases, where the part on the other side wants just your name, Date of Birth, or address proof. Since this information won’t be masked even on a masked Aadhaar card, this Masked Aadhaar card is pretty much valid.

Is masked Aadhaar valid for address proof?

Yes, as mentioned in the above statement, a Masked Aadhaar card is valid for name verification, address proof, and even age proof.

Is aadhar masking mandatory?

No, having a masked Aadhaar card is not mandatory, but it is good to have considering there might be some privacy issues or your Aadhaar card might be misused with a full 12 digit number on it.

Can masked aadhar be used for KYC?

Yes, the masked Aadhaar can be used for e-KYC at places where sharing of Aadhaar card number is not necessary.

Also Read: Aadhaar: How to Download e-Aadhaar Card Online, What is the PDF File Password?