Anyone with an Aadhaar card can generate 16-digit virtual ID.
Aadhaar Virtual ID or VID is a 16-digit number that can be used for authentication, without having to share your actual details. This keeps your data safe from hackers and phishing attacks. Introduced back in 2018, anyone with an Aadhaar card can generate the virtual ID using the UIDAI website and the mAadhaar app. The VID will be valid until a new one is generated and can be used in lieu of your 12-digit Aadhaar card. So what is this 16-digit virtual Aadhaar ID and how can you generate an Aadhaar 16-digit virtual ID? Here's everything you need to know:
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Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary code consisting of 16 digits that can be used instead of the official 12-digit Aadhaar number for authentication in internet services. A virtual Aadhaar number is generated against the original Aadhaar number. However, you cannot use VID or virtual ID to retrieve the original Aadhaar card. But, you can create as many Aadhaar VIDs as you want. That said, the old one will expire when you create a new Aadhaar VID.
Before you proceed with creating the virtual Aadhaar id, you need to check if your mobile number is linked with your Aadhaar card. This is important since your Aadhar 16-digit virtual id will be sent to your linked number through SMS. If the mobile number is registered, here's what you need to do to generate Aadhaar 16-digit virtual ID:
That's it! You will receive a confirmation that your VID Aadhar 16-digit virtual id has been generated and has been sent to your registered phone number.
You can generate 16 digits virtual id for Aadhaar authentication from the mAadhaar app too. First, you have to download the app from Play Store or App Store and then:
You will be informed that the 16-digit virtual id for your Aadhaar has been generated.
You don't have to worry a lot if you forget the 16-digit virtual id for Aadhaar since you can just recreate a new one following the steps mentioned above. But if you want to retrieve the same 16-digit Aadhaar virtual id before the end of the day, then here's how you can do it:
Here, you can see the Aadhar 16-digit virtual id that you have created.
Scroll down, and you can see your current Virtual ID. You can create a new one if you want, or copy it and paste it where you need it.
VID is a temporary, 16-digit random number generated over the Aadhaar number so that it can be used instead of the original Aadhar number to protect users' data. Whereas, the Aadhaar number is a unique and permanent 12-digit random number issued by the UIDAI to the residents of India.
Yes, the main purpose of VID is to use it in places of Aadhaar numbers during the Authentication API input.
No, you cannot generate the Aadhaar virtual ID without a mobile number.