How to Add or Update Mobile Number and Email ID in Aadhaar

Utshab Biswas
2 minutes ago
4 min read

For most Indians, Aadhaar has silently become the unlocker for almost all things. Whether it’s downloading e-Aadhaar, making changes, or doing KYC, the whole process relies on one small but essential piece of information – your registered mobile number.

An email ID is not required, but it’s a lifesaver in situations where OTPs aren’t received or when you’re checking the status of an update request. The issue is that most Aadhaar card holders have either never provided this information during the Aadhaar enrolment process or have changed their phone number several years ago and never updated their Aadhaar card.

If you’re left in a situation like this, here’s what you can do right now, what still needs a visit, and the current status of UIDAI’s online services.

Why adding a mobile number to Aadhaar is non-negotiable

A registered mobile number is no longer optional if you want to use Aadhaar digitally. Every major Aadhaar-related service relies on OTP-based verification.

Without a linked mobile number, you cannot:

Download e-Aadhaar from UIDAI
Make any online update request
Use Aadhaar authentication for services
Access masked Aadhaar or VID services
Track update requests online

From our tracking of UIDAI user complaints and service issues, most failed Aadhaar operations trace back to missing or outdated mobile numbers. The system simply doesn’t move forward without OTP verification.

Why linking an email ID still matters (even though it’s optional)

UIDAI doesn’t force you to add an email ID, but skipping it is a mistake for many users.

Email is where you receive:

Update confirmations
Acknowledgement slips
URN (Update Request Number)
Recovery details if your mobile is unreachable

In real-world usage, this becomes important when:

Your phone is switched off
You’re in low network areas
OTPs are delayed or fail
You’re tracking an update after several days

Email acts as a backup channel, and for many users, it’s the only way to keep a record of Aadhaar updates.

Can mobile number or email be updated fully online?

The short answer: No, not yet.

Currently, UIDAI does not provide the facility to add or modify the mobile number or email ID completely online. You can only check the details that are already connected.

UIDAI has been discussing the online modification facility by integrating Aadhaar with other government records such as PAN, passport, and ration cards. This process is still being implemented in phases and is not available to the public yet. Until then, modifications in contact details still require a visit.

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Aadhaar system. Most people believe that since address modifications are possible online, mobile numbers should also be modified online. However, UIDAI considers contact details to be high-risk information, which is why biometric authentication is required.

What you can do online right now

While you can’t complete the update online, you can at least avoid long queues by booking an appointment in advance.

The online appointment system works reliably and saves time, especially at busy Aadhaar Seva Kendras.

Step-by-step process to book an Aadhaar update appointment

Go to the official UIDAI website
Open the My Aadhaar section
Select Book an Appointment
Choose your city or Aadhaar Seva Kendra
Enter your mobile number and verify via OTP
Select a date and time slot that suits you

This only reserves your slot. The actual update still happens in person.

What happens at the Aadhaar centre

On the appointment day, visit the centre at your scheduled time. Carry your Aadhaar number and a valid ID just in case, though usually Aadhaar alone is enough.

You’ll need to:

Fill out the Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Form
Tick mobile number or email ID under update details
Complete biometric verification (fingerprints and iris scan)
Pay the update fee

Before leaving, make sure you collect the acknowledgement slip. It contains your URN (Update Request Number), which is the only way to track your update online later.

How long does the update take?

In most cases, mobile number and email updates are processed within a few working days. Occasionally, it may take longer due to verification backlogs, especially during peak periods.

Based on recent user reports, updates usually reflect faster when biometrics are captured cleanly and the centre uploads data the same day.

How to check if your mobile number or email is linked

Once the update is complete, you can verify it online.

Visit the UIDAI website
Go to Verify Email/Mobile Number
Enter your Aadhaar number
Enter the mobile number or email ID you want to verify
Confirm using OTP

If verification succeeds, your contact detail is officially linked.

There’s no hack, workaround, or hidden online method to update Aadhaar contact details yet. Anyone claiming otherwise is either mistaken or misleading users.

What does work is:

Booking an appointment online
Visiting the centre once with a clear purpose
Collecting and tracking your URN

Until UIDAI fully enables database-linked online updates, this is the only reliable path. At least now, you know exactly what’s possible and what isn’t before wasting time on broken links or failed OTPs.