How to mask your Aadhaar number in a PDF
Hotels, landlords, employers and SIM shops often ask for a copy of your Aadhaar. In most cases they only need to see your name and photo, not your full number. Masking hides the first 8 digits so only the last 4 show, like XXXX XXXX 1234.
Mask my Aadhaar now Free, works on your phone. The file never leaves your device.Steps
- Open maskyourdocs and choose your e-Aadhaar PDF, a scan, or a photo of the card.
- If it's an e-Aadhaar PDF, enter its password when asked (see below).
- With Draw box, drag over the first 8 digits of the number. Leave the last 4 visible.
- The number is printed more than once on an e-Aadhaar, so check every page and both sides of the card. If the PDF has selectable text, type the first 8 digits into Find text and press Mask all.
- Cover the Virtual ID (VID) and the QR code too, unless the person you're sending it to needs to scan it.
- Press Export, then Generate, and download the masked copy.
The e-Aadhaar PDF password
The PDF you download from UIDAI is locked. The password is the
first four letters of your name in capitals, followed
by your year of birth. Rahul, born in 1990, would
type RAHU1990. maskyourdocs asks for it when the file
opens; it's only used in your browser to unlock the file.
What to hide on an Aadhaar card
- The first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number, everywhere it appears.
- The 16-digit VID, if your copy has one. It can be used in place of the Aadhaar number.
- The QR code. It encodes your name, date of birth, gender, address and photo, and on older cards the full Aadhaar number.
- Your address, if the person asking only needs proof of identity rather than proof of address.
Why a black highlight isn't enough
An e-Aadhaar PDF has a real text layer. If you cover the number with a shape or highlight in a PDF app, the digits are still underneath and can be copied straight back out. maskyourdocs rebuilds the masked page as an image so the hidden digits are gone from the file, then checks the finished PDF to make sure they can't be found.
Masked Aadhaar from UIDAI vs masking it yourself
If you're downloading a fresh e-Aadhaar, the official myAadhaar portal has a "masked Aadhaar" option that does this for you and keeps UIDAI's digital signature. Masking it yourself is for when you already have the file, only have a scan or photo, or want to hide more than the number, such as the address or QR code.
maskyourdocs isn't affiliated with UIDAI. A copy you mask yourself is no longer digitally signed, so use the official masked e-Aadhaar wherever a signed copy is required.
Questions
What is a masked Aadhaar?
A copy of your Aadhaar where the first 8 digits of the 12-digit number are hidden and only the last 4 are visible, for example XXXX XXXX 1234. It's still accepted as proof of identity in most places that only need to see your card.
What is the password for an e-Aadhaar PDF?
The first four letters of your name as printed on the card, in capital letters, followed by your year of birth. For example RAHU1990 for Rahul born in 1990.
Is my Aadhaar uploaded anywhere when I mask it here?
No. maskyourdocs runs entirely in your browser. The PDF or photo is never sent to a server, and the site works with your internet switched off once it has loaded.
Can I mask Aadhaar on my phone?
Yes. Open maskyourdocs in Chrome or Safari on your phone, choose the PDF or photo, and drag one finger to draw a box over the digits.
Is a masked Aadhaar still digitally signed?
No. Any change to an e-Aadhaar PDF, including masking it yourself, means the UIDAI digital signature no longer validates. If someone needs a signed copy, download a masked e-Aadhaar from the official myAadhaar portal instead.