The new Aadhaar app has recorded over 2.1 crore downloads within just three months of its launch, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT Ministry) announced on Wednesday, 6 May 2025, in New Delhi. The rapid uptake signals strong public trust in the platform, which is designed to bring identity services directly to citizens' smartphones.

Key Usage Milestones

According to the IT Ministry, over 28 lakh people have already updated their mobile numbers through the new app, while nearly 6 lakh users have used it to update their address. The app is available on both Android and Apple iOS platforms, ensuring wide accessibility across device ecosystems.

"So far over 2.8 million (28 lakh) people have updated their mobile numbers using the new Aadhaar App. Similarly, nearly 6,00,000 people have used the App to update their address," the official statement read.

What the New Aadhaar App Offers

Described as a next-generation mobile application, the app is built around a privacy-first framework, allowing Aadhaar Number Holders (ANH) to carry, show, share and verify their identity securely. Advanced features include face verification for proof of presence, biometric lock/unlock in a single click, authentication history, and a QR-based editable contact card for sharing contact details digitally — replacing the need for physical visiting cards.

The app supports a broad range of real-world use cases, including hotel check-ins via Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) QR code scanning, hospital admissions, age gating, visitors' management, event entries, and identity verification of gig workers and service partners.

100 Entities Onboarded for Offline Verification

In a parallel development, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has onboarded at least 100 entities as Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs) within the same three-month window. This milestone marks a significant step toward enabling secure, consent-driven and paperless identity verification using Aadhaar — without requiring real-time access to central databases.

This is notable because offline verification reduces the privacy risks associated with live database queries, a concern that has historically shadowed Aadhaar's implementation. The OVSE framework allows businesses and institutions to verify identity locally, using a digitally signed QR code, making the process both faster and more privacy-compliant.

What the Government Said

"The growing public adoption showcases not only the trust of residents, but also the new App's role in making Aadhaar services more accessible and user-friendly, thus enabling ease of living for Aadhaar number holders," the IT Ministry stated. The ministry positioned the app as a cornerstone of India's broader Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) push, which aims to reduce paperwork and friction in everyday identity-related transactions.

What's Next

With 100 OVSEs already on board and downloads accelerating, UIDAI is expected to expand the offline verification ecosystem to more sectors. As digital identity adoption deepens, the app's role in enabling seamless, privacy-preserving verification across hospitality, healthcare, and the gig economy is likely to grow significantly in the months ahead.