Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is the key to almost every digital service in India. Without an active linked number, you cannot download your e-Aadhaar, receive OTPs for Income Tax filing, access DigiLocker, complete bank KYC, or verify your identity on government portals like EPFO, Passport Seva, or the Election Commission.
If you have lost your old SIM card, changed your phone number, or never linked a mobile number to your Aadhaar, you cannot do this online. Because the mobile number controls OTP access to your entire digital identity, the UIDAI requires you to verify your biometrics (fingerprints or iris) in person before making changes.
Here is the step-by-step process to get it done efficiently.
Why This Cannot Be Done Online
Many people search for "update Aadhaar mobile number online" and land on fake websites that charge money and steal personal data. Here is why UIDAI made this strictly offline:
- If mobile updates were allowed online, a hacker who obtained your Aadhaar number could change the linked mobile to their own phone and then use OTPs to access your bank accounts, file fake tax returns, or withdraw your PF.
- By requiring physical biometric verification (fingerprint + iris), UIDAI ensures that only YOU can change the number.
WARNING
Beware of scam websites. Any website or app that claims to update your Aadhaar mobile number online is a scam. The only legitimate way is to visit an authorized center in person. Report fake websites to UIDAI at [email protected].
Step 1: Locate an Aadhaar Seva Kendra
You can update your mobile number at any authorized Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK). These are located at specific post offices, banks (SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, etc.), and standalone UIDAI centers.
- Visit the UIDAI locator: Locate an Enrolment Center.
- Search by your State/District, PIN code, or use the search box.
- Check the box that says "Show only permanent centers" to filter out temporary camps that may not be operating on the day you visit.
- Note down the address, working hours, and contact number of the nearest center.
TIP
Government-run Aadhaar Seva Kendras at post offices are generally less crowded than the ones at bank branches. If your local post office offers Aadhaar services, try that first.
Step 2: Book an Appointment (Optional but Recommended)
Walk-ins are allowed at most centers, but booking an appointment saves you from standing in long queues, especially in metro cities.
- Go to the UIDAI Appointment Portal.
- Select your City/Location from the dropdown (this lists the large, UIDAI-run mega centers). If your city is not listed, click "Proceed to Book Appointment" for registrar-run centers at banks and post offices.
- Select the Aadhaar Update option.
- Enter your current active mobile number (the new one you want to link) and verify it with an OTP.
- Fill in your Aadhaar number and name. Select Mobile Number as the field to update.
- Choose a time slot and date.
- Pay the Rs 50 fee online, or choose to pay at the center.
- Download and print the appointment slip. Show it at the center to skip the walk-in queue.
Step 3: Visit the Aadhaar Centre
On your appointment date (or as a walk-in):
- Go to the centre and collect an Aadhaar Correction Form from the help desk.
- Fill in your 12-digit Aadhaar number, your name, and the new mobile number you want to link.
- Submit the form to the operator at the counter.
- No ID or address proof documents are needed for a mobile number update. This is UIDAI policy. If any operator asks for Aadhaar card, PAN, or address proof, politely inform them that demographic-only updates (mobile/email) do not require supporting documents.
- Biometric Verification: The operator will ask you to place your fingers on the biometric scanner and look into the iris camera. This authenticates your identity against the UIDAI database.
- The operator will generate an Update Request Number (URN) and give you a printed slip. Keep this slip safely.
WARNING
Do not pay more than Rs 50. Some unauthorized agents or operators may demand Rs 200-500. Insist on a printed system-generated receipt showing the Rs 50 fee. If the center demands extra money, file a complaint on the UIDAI portal or by calling the UIDAI helpline at 1947.
Step 4: Track the Update Status
The new mobile number does not activate instantly. It takes between a few days and 30 days to process.
- Go to Check Aadhaar Update Status.
- Enter the 14-digit URN from your acknowledgement slip (format: 1234/12345/12345).
- Enter the CAPTCHA and click Check Status.
- If it shows "Completed", your new number is now active in the UIDAI database.
To verify the active number: Go to the Verify Email/Mobile Number section on the myAadhaar portal. Enter your Aadhaar number and the new mobile number. If it matches the records, the system will show a success message.
Alternative: India Post Doorstep Service
If you are unable to visit a center (elderly, disabled, or no nearby center), the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) offers a doorstep service:
- Download the Postinfo app from the Play Store or App Store.
- Go to Service Request.
- Fill in your name, address, and the new mobile number.
- Under Service, select IPPB-Aadhaar Service.
- Under Sub-Category, select Mobile/Email to Aadhaar linking/update.
- A local postman carrying a portable biometric device will visit your home within a few days.
- The postman will capture your biometrics and process the update on the spot.
- Fee: Rs 50 + a nominal convenience fee (usually Rs 25-50 extra).
NOTE
This service depends on the availability of biometric devices at your local post office. It is more reliable in urban areas. In rural areas, availability can be inconsistent.
Common Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| URN status says "Rejected" | Your biometric authentication likely failed due to worn-out fingerprints (common in manual laborers and elderly). Visit the center again and request iris-based authentication instead of fingerprint. |
| Status "Under Process" for more than 30 days | Call the UIDAI helpline at 1947 and provide your URN. They can escalate stuck requests to the regional UIDAI office. |
| I do not get OTPs even after update is complete | The update may have been processed by UIDAI but not yet propagated to the specific service (bank, EPFO, etc.). Wait 24-48 hours. If OTPs still do not arrive, follow our Aadhaar OTP troubleshooting guide. |
| Centre asks for address proof documents | Politely refuse. Mobile number updates do not require POI (Proof of Identity) or POA (Proof of Address) documents per UIDAI Regulation 2016 Schedule 2. Only biometrics are needed. |
| The biometric scanner keeps failing | Ask the operator to clean the scanner surface with a cloth. If your fingers are dry, moisturize them slightly. If fingerprints still fail, insist on iris-based authentication. |
Common Mistakes
- Going to an unauthorized agent: Only visit centers listed on the official UIDAI locator. Private "Aadhaar centers" operating out of shops are often unauthorized and may steal your biometric data.
- Losing the URN slip: Without the URN, you cannot track your update status. Take a photo of the slip immediately after receiving it.
- Giving the old mobile number instead of the new one: The form asks for the number you want to link, not the one currently registered. Double-check before submitting.
Related Guides
- Aadhaar OTP Not Received: How to Fix It
- How to Lock or Unlock Aadhaar Biometrics
- How to Download e-Aadhaar Online
- How to Change Address in Aadhaar Online
Need more help?
For more information, open the Aadhaar Help hub, browse Identity & KYC guides, or try our calculators.