Aadhaar (Aadhar) SMS to 1947: Which Message Locks, Unlocks or Gets a VID?

Which SMS do you send to 1947? Build it here

How to use it: pick a task, type the last digits it asks for, and send SMS 1. When the OTP arrives, type it in to get SMS 2. If you type a full number, the generator keeps only the last digits and asks you to confirm. For a lock, it first asks you to confirm that you have saved a VID.

What must you do before you lock your Aadhaar by SMS?

1. Create a VID and save it

   Send GVID 1987 (your last 4 digits) to 1947. A 16-digit VID comes back by SMS. Already have one? Send RVID 1987 to get it again, because a new VID cancels the old one. A VID also works to download e-Aadhaar.

2. Ask for an OTP

   Send GETOTP 1987 to 1947. A 6-digit OTP arrives by SMS.

3. Send the lock command

   Send LOCKUID 1987 012345: the word, a space, your last 4 digits, a space, then your OTP. This is the format on UIDAI's SMS page.

4. Check the reply

   To check that it worked, read 1947's SMS reply, or see the lock status in UIDAI's lock service or the Aadhaar App. From then on, every Aadhaar check fails until you unlock.

   No reply, or an error? Don't keep sending it. Lock on UIDAI's website or in the Aadhaar App instead, or call 1947. Website steps are in our lock guide.

How do you unlock your Aadhaar by SMS?

Unlocking works only with the VID, not with your Aadhaar number. Use the last 6 digits of your latest VID in both messages. Forgot the VID? Send RVID + last 4 digits of Aadhaar to 1947 first.

Example: for VID 9876-5432-1987-6543, send GETOTP 876543, then UNLOCKUID 876543 012345. The Aadhaar stays unlocked until you lock it again. Website steps are in our unlock guide.

What are all the Aadhaar SMS formats for 1947?

These are the formats on UIDAI's SMS page (read 15 Oct 2026). The examples use Aadhaar 9876-5432-1987 (last 4 = 1987), VID 9876-5432-1987-6543 (last 6 = 876543) and OTP 012345.

• Spaces matter. One space between the word and the digits, and one before the OTP.
• OTP-only SMS (GETOTP) is never a lock or unlock by itself. Always follow it with SMS 2.
• Biometric commands don't work while your Aadhaar number (UID) is locked. Unlock the UID first.
• Spelling of the short-time unlock: UIDAI's SMS page says UNLOCKBIO. Older lists, including our own earlier notes, said UNBLOCKBIO. We use UIDAI's spelling and haven't confirmed it with a test SMS yet.

More about the biometric lock and error 330 is in Lock Aadhaar & biometrics.

What if two family members share one mobile number?

If two Aadhaar numbers registered on the same mobile end in the same 4 digits, 1947 can't tell them apart. UIDAI's SMS page gives longer variants for this case:

• SMS 2 commands (LOCKUID, UNLOCKUID, ENABLEBIOLOCK, DISABLEBIOLOCK, UNLOCKBIO): use the last 8 digits of Aadhaar or the last 10 digits of VID.
• GVID and RVID: UIDAI's lock and VID FAQs say the last 4 or 8 digits of Aadhaar.
• GETOTP never changes. It always takes the last 4 of Aadhaar or the last 6 of VID.

Worked example. Your Aadhaar is 9876-5432-1987, and your mother's Aadhaar on the same mobile also ends in 1987. To lock yours, send GETOTP 1987, then LOCKUID 54321987 012345. With VID 9876-5432-1987-6543, an unlock would be GETOTP 876543, then UNLOCKUID 3219876543 012345. In the generator, tick the family box and it asks for the longer digits.

Should you lock the whole Aadhaar or only your biometrics?

The UID lock is free and can be switched on and off any number of times. Fingerprint fraud and what to do after it are in Aadhaar fraud & scams. Questions you'd rather ask a person? See UIDAI helpline 1947.

When does it make sense to lock your Aadhaar?

UIDAI's lock page lists these situations:

• You get an OTP or authentication alert you didn't expect.
• Your SIM is lost.
• You don't need Aadhaar for any service for now.
• You will stay outside India for a long time.
• Your Aadhaar details have been exposed.

Before you lock, think about what you will need soon. Any benefit or service that needs Aadhaar authentication needs an unlock first. If your card is lost, start with our lost Aadhaar plan.

What if the SMS doesn't work?

Bottom line

Use the generator to build the exact SMS, and send it to 1947 from your registered mobile. Get and save a VID before any lock, because only the latest VID unlocks. For everyday safety, the biometric lock is often enough. If an SMS fails, don't keep retrying: use UIDAI's website, the Aadhaar App, or call 1947.