How to download Masked Aadhaar and share the right copy
Download Masked Aadhaar through UIDAI’s official Aadhaar services when the recipient accepts it. It hides the first eight digits of your Aadhaar number and shows the last four, but the document still contains personal information and a QR code.
Someone asks for your Aadhaar and you have several files with similar names. Before attaching one, find out whether the recipient needs the official electronic document, a permitted reference copy or a different verification method. A Masked Aadhaar is useful because you can obtain it from the issuer instead of editing the number yourself.
Start with the recipient’s request
| What the recipient asks for | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Masked Aadhaar | Obtain the masked version from UIDAI and keep the downloaded file intact |
| An official digital verification process | Follow that process rather than sending an unrelated screenshot |
| A copy with fewer visible details | Confirm which fields may be hidden and whether an edited copy is accepted |
| An unclear request for “ID” | Ask which document and submission channel are required before sending Aadhaar |
Obtain the issuer’s masked version
UIDAI’s My Aadhaar page lists the Masked Aadhaar download service and says a mobile OTP is required. Open the official site yourself; do not use a download link sent by an unknown person.
- Choose the official Aadhaar download service and follow its identification and authentication prompts.
- Select the masked version where the service offers the choice.
- Download the file and open it privately to check the name and version.
- Confirm that only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number are visible.
- Save the original download before making any separate reference copy.
The UIDAI e-Aadhaar questions explain the PDF password and give examples for different name lengths. Follow those examples if the file does not open. Dokus does not bypass PDF passwords or retrieve an OTP for you.
What masking does and does not hide
The number is only one part of the document. Name, photograph and other personal details can remain visible. UIDAI describes the secure QR code as containing identity information too. Masking the printed number should not be treated as anonymising the document.
If a recipient offers verified access through an official service, follow its instructions. If it accepts an edited reference image, you can use the redaction tool on a separate copy to hide information it does not need. Review every page and any repeated information before exporting. Do not cover a QR code that the recipient needs to verify, or claim that an edited image is the issuer’s Masked Aadhaar.
Keep the official PDF and any working copy apart
Use descriptive names such as “Masked Aadhaar, UIDAI download” and “Reference copy, recipient, date”. This is an organisation suggestion, not a UIDAI naming requirement. Avoid putting your full Aadhaar number in a filename.
Converting, redacting or compressing a PDF with the browser tools produces image pages and does not retain its original digital signature or selectable text. Use the unchanged issuer file when those properties matter. A smaller or marked copy is appropriate only when the receiving service accepts it.
Before you send
- The recipient and purpose are clear.
- The requested document really is Masked Aadhaar.
- The file opens and belongs to the correct person.
- You understand which details, including the QR code, remain available.
- You kept the issuer’s original download and checked the actual attachment.
For the difference between an issuer’s electronic document and your own scan, read the DigiLocker document guide. For passport appointments, use the Passport Seva preparation guide.
Questions about Masked Aadhaar
Does Masked Aadhaar hide the whole number?
It hides the first eight digits and leaves the last four visible. Other personal details and the QR code can still contain identity information.
Is drawing a black box over my Aadhaar the same thing?
No. UIDAI’s Masked Aadhaar is a version obtained from the issuer. Editing your own copy does not make it the issuer’s masked electronic document.
Can I keep a reference copy in Dokus?
Yes. Dokus stores personal document copies on your iPhone behind Face ID or Touch ID. It does not issue Aadhaar, authenticate you with UIDAI or replace an official verification process.