How to Update Your Mobile Number in Aadhaar

The mobile number linked to your Aadhaar is quietly one of the most important settings in your digital life. Almost every online service — your bank, your PAN, income tax, gas subsidy, a new SIM, even downloading your own Aadhaar — sends its one-time password (OTP) to that number. If it is an old phone you no longer use, you are half locked out of India’s online world. This guide explains how to update your Aadhaar mobile number properly in 2026, why it cannot be done entirely online no matter what any website claims, and how to avoid the fake “instant update” traps.

The honest truth: it is not a fully online job

Let us be clear from the start, because a lot of websites lie about this. You cannot change the mobile number in your Aadhaar sitting at home. Updating the phone number requires your fingerprint (biometric) verification, and that can only happen in person at an authorised centre. The word “online” in searches like “aadhaar mobile number update online” only refers to booking your appointment online — the actual change happens face to face.

This is deliberate. If mobile numbers could be changed online with just an OTP, a fraudster who tricks you into sharing one OTP could hijack your entire identity. The in-person biometric step is a safety wall protecting you. So when a site promises to change your Aadhaar mobile “instantly, 100% online, no visit needed,” it is either a scam harvesting your details or a middleman who will simply take your money and book the same free-to-book appointment you could book yourself.

What you need before you start

• Your Aadhaar number (or a copy of your Aadhaar letter/card).
• The new mobile number you want to link — carry the phone so you can note it correctly.
• A small amount for the fee (about Rs 50 as of 2026 — confirm the current figure on the official portal).
• No document is required to update only the mobile number.

Step 1 — Book an appointment on the official portal (optional but faster)

Open a browser and go directly to the official UIDAI site, uidai.gov.in, or the appointment portal appointments.uidai.gov.in. Do not click links from SMS or search ads — type the address yourself. On the myAadhaar portal (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in) look for “Book an Appointment,” choose an Aadhaar Seva Kendra near you, pick “Update Aadhaar,” and select the date and time slot. Booking is free.

Booking is optional. Many people simply walk in to a centre. But in busy cities a booked slot saves you a long wait.

Step 2 — Visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra or enrolment centre

Go to the centre at your slot time. Tell the operator you want to update your mobile number. You will fill a short update form (or the operator enters it on screen), give the new number, and place your finger on the scanner so the system confirms it is really you. That biometric step is what makes this secure — and what no website can do remotely.

Step 3 — Pay the fee and collect your slip

Pay the small fixed fee at the counter. You will receive an acknowledgement slip carrying an Update Request Number (URN). Keep this slip. It is how you track whether the update has gone through, exactly like tracking a parcel.

Step 4 — Wait a few days, then test it

The change is usually processed within a few days. Once it shows complete, test it: try any service that sends an Aadhaar OTP and confirm the code arrives on your new phone. You can also confirm the status online — see our companion guide on how to check your Aadhaar update status using the URN.

Fees and facts at a glance

How to spot the fake “mobile update” traps

This is the part that matters most, because Aadhaar mobile updates are a favourite hook for fraudsters. Watch for these red flags:

• “Update your Aadhaar mobile online — click here.” UIDAI never texts or WhatsApps update links. This is phishing. Read our guide on how to spot a phishing email or SMS.
• “Your Aadhaar will be deactivated — update your number now.” A classic fear tactic. It mirrors the fake KYC update scam. Aadhaar is not deactivated for an old mobile number.
• A “helper” who asks for your OTP. No genuine process ever needs you to read out an OTP to another person. Not the centre, not a bank, not UIDAI. See why you must never share an OTP with anyone.
• A shop charging Rs 300–500. The real fee is tiny and fixed. Extra charges mean a middleman is pocketing the difference.

Why keeping this number current is worth the trip

A correct Aadhaar mobile number is the master key for online KYC, bank verification, subsidy (DBT), a new SIM, PAN linking and downloading your own e-Aadhaar. If yours points to a lost or discarded SIM, prioritise the visit. And if you are helping a senior relative, do it with them — many scam calls specifically target older people who are unsure about their Aadhaar. Our guide to scam calls for senior citizens is worth sharing.

A note on trust and safety

CyberKannadig never asks for your Aadhaar, OTP or any personal detail — we only explain the safe steps. This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules, fees and timelines are set by UIDAI and can change, so always confirm the current process on uidai.gov.in before you act. If something goes wrong or your request is stuck, use UIDAI’s official grievance channel rather than a random agent. Update the number, keep it current, and you keep control of your own identity.