Lost your Aadhaar card? Download and save it on your phone. Here's how

Keeping e-Aadhaar on your phone is an easy way to keep the document handy in case you lose the card. (File photo)

Losing identification documents such as voter id cards and PAN cards may involve running to police stations and filling application forms, but if you lose your Aadhaar card, here's how you can save it on your phone and use it whenever required.

Step 1: Visit https://uidai.gov.in/

Step 2: Click on Download Aadhaar option under 'Get Aadhaar'.

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number and the security code shown on the page.

Step 4: Click on 'Send OTP'. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 5: Enter the OTP and click on 'Verify and download'

Step 6. Once your details are verified, you'll find the PDF of the Aadhaar card in your Downloads folder.

Step 7:  The PDF will be password protected. To open it, click on the downloaded file and enter the password. It will be of eight characters — a combination of the first four letters of your name (as in the Aadhaar) in capital letters and year of birth in YYYY format.

Step 8: Once unlocked, you can either retain the e-Aadhaar card in the Downloads folder or save it in your email for future use.

In case you face any problem, use Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) hotline number 1947 for any Aadhaar-related questions.

Currently, the UIDAI is prepping to use Aadhaar for more use cases and collaborate with organisations like the United Nations and World Bank, as well as other global economies to make digital identity available in different countries.

Dr Saurabh Garg, CEO of UIDAI said, “We are looking at quantum computing, how we can harness smartphone capabilities for authentication, and maybe how to decentralise our blockchain. We will be happy to collaborate with other nations on how they can use our architecture and our systems.”

The organisation will also look to leverage data analytics through artificial intelligence and machine learning for Aadhaar-based verification of documents.