The mAadhaar app is being phased out as India’s identity ecosystem shifts toward a newer, more tightly controlled digital system. The Unique Identification Authority of India is replacing the older application with a redesigned Aadhaar platform that focuses heavily on selective data sharing and stronger authentication methods. The change is not cosmetic. It effectively replaces a widely used identity wallet and replaces it with a system that behaves quite differently in everyday use. As reported by Fortune India, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has extended the free online Aadhaar document update facility for an additional year, enabling users to update and verify their identity and address documents on the myAadhaar portal without any charges.As per an official memorandum issued by UIDAI, the free document update service will now be available until June 14, 2027. The facility was previously scheduled to remain free only until June 15, 2026.How the new Aadhaar system replaces the old Aadhaar appThe new Aadhaar application is structured differently from the older setup, which often displayed full identity details during verification. The revised version narrows this down significantly.According to the X (formerly Twitter) post by an Aadhaar official, users can now move to the new AadhaarApp for a faster, more secure, and smarter digital experience with features like secure QR-based Aadhaar sharing.How to set up the new mAadhaar app in simple steps The onboarding process is more layered than the previous mAadhaar system. It requires sequential verification rather than a single login.Steps involved:Download the official “Aadhaar” app from verified app stores onlySelect the preferred language from the available optionsEnter the registered mobile number linked to AadhaarVerify the OTP sent to that numberComplete face authentication if promptedSet up a PIN or biometric unlockAdd Aadhaar number and complete another OTP verificationEach step is designed to confirm identity at multiple stages rather than once.New Aadhaar authentication system: Major upgrade in digital identity verificationAuthentication has also been redesigned. The new system now introduces multiple layers instead of relying mainly on SMS-based OTP verification, The updates include:Face-based authenticationQR code verification OTP still exists, but is no longer the only access methodThe QR-based system is particularly aimed at reducing friction during in-person verification at counters, hotels, hospitals, and government services.New Aadhaar app introduces security featuresThe app introduces more direct control over biometric and identity data, which was not previously available in the same form.Notable features include:Ability to lock fingerprint, face, and iris authentication dataControl over when and how biometric verification is allowedReduced risk of unauthorised identity use on shared devices