Aadhaar masker
Hide the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number, or anything else, before you share a copy. It all happens on your device; nothing is uploaded.
What is masked Aadhaar?
- UIDAI, which issues Aadhaar, defines masked Aadhaar as a copy where the first 8 digits of the number are replaced and only the last 4 stay visible. A hotel, a landlord or a bank can still tell which Aadhaar it is, but whoever gets hold of the copy doesn't have your full number. If you have an e-Aadhaar, you can also download a masked one from myAadhaar.
- Nothing is uploaded. Your file is opened, read and masked in your browser, and the text recognition that finds the number runs on your device too.
- A PDF comes back as pictures of its pages. Drawing a black box over a PDF in most editors only adds a shape on top: the number is still in the file as text, and copying it gets it back. Here every page becomes a picture with the box burned in, put back together at its original size, so there is no text left to copy.
- It works on any ID: PAN, passport, voter ID, driving licence or a bank statement. Automatic detection only looks for Aadhaar numbers, so on anything else, drag over what you want hidden.
Questions
What is a masked Aadhaar?
A copy of your Aadhaar where the first 8 digits of the number are replaced, for example with X, and only the last 4 digits can be read. UIDAI offers it as an option when you download your e-Aadhaar.
Is a masked Aadhaar valid for KYC?
UIDAI issues masked e-Aadhaar itself, but whether a masked copy is enough is up to the organisation asking. Some services need your full number to verify it. If you are not sure, ask them before you send a copy.
Is my Aadhaar uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is opened, read and masked in your browser, and never leaves your device. The text recognition that finds the number also runs on your device.
Can I mask a PAN card or other ID too?
Yes. Drag over anything you want hidden on a PAN card, passport, voter ID, driving licence or bank statement. Only Aadhaar numbers are found automatically.
Why does my PDF come back as images?
A black box drawn on top of a PDF leaves the text underneath, where anyone can copy it out. Turning each page into an image with the box burned in removes the hidden text for good.