What UIDAI says
In its FAQ, UIDAI says masked Aadhaar means the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number are replaced with characters like “xxxx-xxxx”, while only the last 4 digits stay visible. It is an option in the e-Aadhaar download (UIDAI: What is Masked Aadhaar?). UIDAI calls e-Aadhaar a password-protected electronic copy of Aadhaar, digitally signed by UIDAI (UIDAI: What is e-Aadhaar?).
Two ways to get a masked Aadhaar
| Official masked e-Aadhaar | Mask your own copy (this page) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | UIDAI’s MyAadhaar portal | This page, in your browser |
| Needs | An OTP on your Aadhaar-registered mobile | A photo, scan or PDF of your card |
| Result | A new, digitally signed e-Aadhaar PDF | Your copy with the digits, VID and QR painted over |
| Good for | When an organisation asks for the official download | Photocopies and phone photos you are about to share |
Mask a copy in three steps
- Choose the photo, scan or PDF above. An e-Aadhaar PDF asks for its password: UIDAI sets it to the first four letters of your name in capitals plus your year of birth (UIDAI FAQ).
- Check the boxes the tool drew over the number, the VID and the QR code. Add a box over anything else you do not want to share.
- Tap Mask and check, then download once it reads 0 numbers readable.
Why the QR code matters
Masking the digits is not the whole story. UIDAI says the Secure QR code on Aadhaar holds the holder’s name, address, gender, date of birth and photograph, plus the last 4 digits of the number (UIDAI QR Code Reader). Anyone can scan it from a clear copy, so this tool covers it by default.
Ready to mask? Go to the Aadhaar masking tool, or use the one at the top of this page.
Sources
- What is Masked Aadhaar?, UIDAI FAQ
- What is e-Aadhaar?, UIDAI FAQ
- What is the password of e-Aadhaar?, UIDAI FAQ
- QR Code Reader, UIDAI
This page explains what the tool does and what official sources say. It is not legal advice; ask whoever wants your ID what they need.
Questions people ask
What is masked Aadhaar?
UIDAI describes it as an Aadhaar where the first 8 digits of the number are replaced with characters like “xxxx-xxxx” and only the last 4 digits are visible. UIDAI offers it as an option when you download e-Aadhaar.
How do I get an official masked Aadhaar?
Download e-Aadhaar from UIDAI’s MyAadhaar portal and choose the masked option. UIDAI sends a one-time password to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar, so you need access to that number.
Can I mask an Aadhaar card I already have?
Yes. Open a photo or scan of the card, or an e-Aadhaar PDF you downloaded without masking, in the tool on this page. It hides the first 8 digits, the VID and the QR code, and checks the result. The original file on your device is not changed.
Is a masked copy from this tool the same as UIDAI’s masked e-Aadhaar?
No. It is your own copy with the digits painted over. It shows the same thing (XXXX XXXX 1234), but it is not an official UIDAI download. If an organisation specifically asks for masked e-Aadhaar from UIDAI, download it there.
Will a hotel, landlord or employer accept a masked Aadhaar?
That depends on what they need it for, and this site cannot say what any organisation must accept. Ask them before you send it. Many only need to see your name, photo and address.
Is my card uploaded?
No. Everything runs in your browser tab. The OCR model is downloaded once from this site and then runs on your device; after that the tool works with the internet switched off.