Hotels, landlords, gyms, travel agents and many offices routinely ask for "a copy of your Aadhaar". In most of these cases they only need to confirm your identity and address, not your full 12-digit Aadhaar number. UIDAI itself offers a "masked Aadhaar" that hides the first eight digits for exactly this reason. This guide explains how to get a masked Aadhaar, how to mask the number yourself on a PDF or photo, and how to permanently hide other personal details before sharing any document.
What is masked Aadhaar?
A masked Aadhaar is an e-Aadhaar in which the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number are replaced with "XXXX-XXXX", so only the last four digits are visible. It is downloaded from the myAadhaar portal by choosing the masked option during download. Everything else, such as your photo, name, date of birth, address and the QR code, remains. The masked version is especially useful for situations where the full number is not legally required.
Some services, such as certain government schemes or financial KYC, may need the full number. If someone insists on it, it is reasonable to ask why. When in doubt, follow the requirements stated by the organisation or the law.
Option 1: Download masked Aadhaar from UIDAI
- Go to the official myAadhaar portal from uidai.gov.in.
- Choose Download Aadhaar and log in with your Aadhaar number and the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
- Select the option for a masked Aadhaar before downloading.
- Open the PDF with the usual e-Aadhaar password; see the password guide.
This is the best option because the PDF stays digitally signed by UIDAI.
Option 2: Mask the number yourself with Redact PDF
If you only have a full Aadhaar copy, such as a scan of your physical card or an older download, you can black out the first eight digits yourself:
- If the PDF is locked, remove the password with Unlock PDF.
- Open Redact PDF and select the file.
- Draw a box over the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number. If the number appears more than once (for example on the front and in the lower section of an e-Aadhaar), cover every occurrence.
- Apply the redaction and download. The tool permanently removes the content under the black boxes, rather than just drawing a shape on top.
- Open the result and try to select or copy text in the redacted area to confirm nothing remains.
Redaction runs in your browser, so the document is not uploaded.
Why not just draw a black box?
This is the most common mistake. In many PDF editors, a black rectangle is simply an annotation layered over the page. The text beneath it is still in the file and can be revealed by copying, by removing the annotation, or by opening the PDF in another program. Proper redaction deletes the underlying text and image data. For photos (JPG), painting over the digits in an image editor is fine, because an image has no hidden text layer; just make sure the paint is fully opaque.
Don't forget the QR code
Aadhaar cards and e-Aadhaar contain a QR code with your demographic data (and, in newer versions, a photo), which is digitally signed. Verifiers can scan it to check that the card is genuine. When you mask the number, the QR code may still contain your details, depending on the version. If the person receiving the copy only needs a visual identity check, you can redact the QR code as well. If they need to verify the card by scanning it, leave the QR code in place and rely on the masked number and purpose watermark.
Other details worth hiding
Redaction is useful far beyond Aadhaar:
| Document | Consider redacting |
|---|---|
| Bank statement for a visa or rental | Individual transactions, keeping only balances if that is what is required |
| Salary slip | PF number, bank account number, deductions that are not relevant |
| Cancelled cheque | Your signature, if it appears |
| Medical report for insurance or leave | Unrelated test results |
| Passport copy | Passport number for non-official uses |
Only redact information when the recipient does not need it. For official submissions, removing required information can get your application rejected.
Add a purpose watermark too
Masking reduces what can be misused; a watermark limits how the copy can be reused. Add text such as "For hotel check-in at XYZ only – 20/10/2026" across the page with Add Watermark. If someone later tries to use your copy for a SIM card or loan, the stamp makes the misuse obvious. Read our guide to watermarking ID copies.
Sharing both sides on one page
Many offices want the front and back of the card on one page. Mask the number first, then arrange both sides as described in how to put Aadhaar front and back on one page.
Good habits with Aadhaar copies
- Prefer masked Aadhaar for hotels, rentals, gyms and events.
- Use the Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID) where services accept it instead of the number.
- Lock your biometrics in the myAadhaar portal or app when not needed.
- Check the Aadhaar authentication history on the myAadhaar portal occasionally.
- Delete copies from shared phones, printers and computers after use.
Summary
Download a masked Aadhaar when you can. If you cannot, redact the first eight digits permanently with a real redaction tool, check that nothing can be copied, and add a purpose watermark. Small steps like these make a stolen copy far less useful to a fraudster.
Try it now: Redact PDF is free to start and works on mobile and desktop.
Open Redact PDF