Old mAadhaar App To Discontinue Soon: Check Key Differences Between Old mAadhaar App and New Aadhaar App
UIDAI has announced that the old mAadhaar app will be discontinued soon and will be replaced by the new Aadhaar app. What are the key differences? Read this article to know.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) recently announced on the social media platform X that the old mAadhaar app will be discontinued soon. The government body also stated that a new Aadhaar app will be rolling out to replace the old mAadhaar app.
In regard to the latest Aadhaar update 2026, the UIDAI said, "The mAadhaar App is retiring soon. Now experience a smarter, faster, and more secure digital journey with the new Aadhaar App." The new Aadhaar is a secure QR-based system to enhance privacy controls and seamless access to Aadhaar services.
The UIDAI stated that "changing technological needs and user expectations have driven the development of a cleaner, faster, and feature-rich platform". The new app will offer faster access, smarter features, and more secure verification, such as selective data sharing and stronger authentication features.
What is the new Aadhaar app?
As per the UIDAI, the new Aadhaar app is a next-generation mobile application designed to provide Aadhaar Number Holders with a secure and private way to carry, show, and verify their digital identity.
The new app has features like face authentication, QR sharing, and biometric locks. The QR-based Aadhaar verification will be useful during hotel check-ins and verification during hospital and government offices visits.
Face and biometric authentication will replace the SMS and OTP processes. Selection sharing on the new Aadhaar app will offer users to select only specific details like name, age, address, mobile number, or photo instead of revealing complete identity.
In the new Aadhaar app, users will also be able to track where and when their Aadhaar authentication was used. This offers a big push in tracking suspicious activities and curbing Aadhaar frauds.
The new Aadhaar app will also offer managing upto five Aadhaar profiles on a single device, along with access to other seamless Aadhaar services.
Key Differences Between Old mAadhaar App and New Aadhaar App
Let us quickly look at the key differences between the old mAadhaar app and the new Aadhaar app. What are the key updated features?
| Feature | Old mAadhaar App | New Aadhaar App |
| Privacy and Security | The old app revealed a user's complete identity details durnig verification. | Secure QR code-enabled and selective sharing feature for sharing only selected details during physical verfication. Also offers masked Aadhaar ID option. |
| Profile Management | Only one profile per device was allowed. | Users can add upto five Aadhaar profiles on one device. (Only if linked to the same registered mobile number). Parents can keep and manage the Aadhaar profiles of their children. |
| Authentication | Traditional SMS-based OTP and PIN systems. | QR code-based Aadhaar sharing, face authentication, biometric locks and unlocks features. Authentication history tracking will also be enabled. |
| Document Updates | Physical Aadhaar centres | Direct in-app updates for phone number and add new address details |
Roopashree Sharma is a seasoned content writing professional with over 5 years of experience in digital journalism, specialising in writing explainers and IQ quizzes across geopolitics and strategic affairs, and international affairs and trade. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has contributed to leading media houses, including Zee, Times, and India TV. Currently serving as Deputy Manager – Editorial at Jagran New Media, she writes and produces videos for the General Knowledge (GK) section of the Jagran Josh (English) portal. For inquiries, contact her at roopashree.sharma@jagrannewmedia.com.
