UAN activation is the one time step that switches on your Universal Account Number so you can sign in, see your passbook and file claims. After a recent upgrade of the member portal, EPFO removed activation and new UAN generation from the portal. Both now happen in UMANG, where Aadhaar face authentication confirms who you are.
Whether you search for PF activation, PF activate, UAN no activate or how to activate UAN number, it is the same process, and PF UAN activation online through UMANG is free. This guide covers both cases: you already have a UAN that was never activated, or you have no UAN at all. Our site has no link with EPFO, and we will not ask you for Aadhaar, OTP or a face scan.
Quick facts
Where
UMANG app, EPFO services, UAN Services Through Face AuthExisting UAN
Choose UAN ActivationNo UAN yet
Choose UAN Allotment and ActivationSecond app needed
Aadhaar Face RD app from UIDAI on the same phoneMobile
Number linked with your Aadhaar, for the OTPMember portal
No longer offers activationCost
FreeOfficial release
pib.gov.in carries EPFO's notes on this service
What UAN activation does and who needs it
An employer can create a UAN for you, but that number stays inactive until you confirm it yourself. Until then you cannot sign in to the EPFO member portal, open the passbook, update KYC or file a claim. Activation proves that the person behind the UAN is you, by matching your live face with your Aadhaar record.
You need it if you just joined your first job, if your employer gave you a UAN you never used, or if you want to create a UAN yourself before joining. Activation is also tied to some government schemes for new employees, such as the Employment Linked Incentive scheme, where benefits depend on an active UAN and Aadhaar seeded bank account. Scheme deadlines have been extended more than once, so check the current date on the EPFO site.
What changed: portal activation ended
Earlier, members could switch on a UAN from the portal using an Aadhaar OTP. EPFO first added face authentication in UMANG as an option, then made it the required method for UAN generation through the app. After an upgrade and database consolidation of the member portal, the Activate UAN and new UAN options on the portal were withdrawn.
| Task | Earlier | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Activate existing UAN | Member portal with Aadhaar OTP | UMANG with face authentication |
| Generate new UAN yourself | Portal, then UMANG option | UMANG with face authentication |
| Employer generated UAN | Employer portal | Kept for exceptional cases such as international workers |
If a website or video still shows the old portal steps, it is out of date.
What you need before you start
- A smartphone with a working front camera.
- The UMANG app and the Aadhaar Face RD app, both installed from the app store that came with your phone. The face app comes from UIDAI and runs in the background when UMANG asks for a scan.
- The mobile number linked with your Aadhaar, switched on and with signal, for the OTP.
- Your 12 digit Aadhaar number.
- Your UAN, if activating an existing one. If you do not know it, see know your UAN.
- Good light on your face, and no cap, mask or dark glasses.
Steps to activate an existing UAN in UMANG
- Open UMANG and go to EPFO services. Use the search box in the app if you do not see it on the home screen.
- Find the group named UAN Services Through Face Auth and choose UAN Activation.
- Enter your UAN, your Aadhaar number and the Aadhaar linked mobile number.
- Tick the consent box for Aadhaar based authentication.
- Enter the OTP sent to that mobile.
- Allow camera access. Hold the phone at eye level and keep still. The outline turns from red to green when the capture is accepted.
- Once your face matches Aadhaar, the app confirms activation. A password for the member portal is sent by SMS.
- Sign in on the portal with your UAN and that password, then set a new password of your own.
The first sign in is explained on our UAN login page.
How to generate UAN number yourself
- In UMANG, open EPFO services and then UAN Services Through Face Auth.
- Choose UAN Allotment and Activation.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the mobile linked with it, give consent, and enter the OTP.
- Complete the live face scan.
- After a match, the UAN is created, activated and sent to you by SMS. Your Aadhaar details fill in the EPFO record, so the record mirrors Aadhaar from the start.
- Download the e UAN card from UMANG or the member portal and share the UAN with your employer.
Check first that no UAN already exists for you. If any employer has deducted PF before, use the existing UAN. A second UAN creates a duplicate record that has to be fixed before a claim.
Face scan problems and fixes
| Problem | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Face app not found | Aadhaar Face RD not installed or outdated | Install or update it, then restart UMANG |
| Outline stays red | Low light, glare or movement | Face a window or lamp, hold still, remove glasses |
| Face does not match | Aadhaar photo is very old | Try again in better light. If it keeps failing, update the photo at an Aadhaar centre |
| No OTP arrives | Aadhaar has no mobile linked, or no signal | Link or update the mobile with UIDAI first |
| Details mismatch | Name or birth date in EPFO differs from Aadhaar | Ask the employer to correct the record, then retry |
| Already activated | UAN was activated earlier | Go straight to sign in, or reset the password |
After UAN activation: what to check
- Sign in and confirm that your name, gender and birth date agree with Aadhaar.
- Check that your bank account and PAN are seeded under KYC, using our KYC update guide.
- Add a nominee through e-nomination.
- Open the passbook after your employer's next monthly return. A brand new account may show no entries at first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still activate my UAN on the EPFO member portal?
No. After the recent portal upgrade, activation and new UAN generation moved to UMANG and need a live face check against Aadhaar. Old guides that show portal steps are out of date.
How long does UAN activation take?
The UMANG steps take a few minutes when the face scan works. The password SMS usually comes soon after, though the portal can take a little longer to accept the first sign in.
Can my employer activate my UAN for me?
Activation needs your own live face and the OTP on your Aadhaar linked mobile, so it has to be done with you present. An employer can guide you but should not do it without you.
My Aadhaar is not linked to any mobile. What now?
Link a mobile number to Aadhaar at an Aadhaar centre first. Without it, the OTP step in UMANG cannot work.
Is UAN activation needed for the EPFO ELI scheme?
Yes, the Employment Linked Incentive scheme requires an active UAN for eligible new employees, along with Aadhaar seeded bank details. Check the current deadline on the EPFO site, as it has changed before.
Does activation cost anything?
No. UMANG and the face app are free. Anyone charging a fee to activate a UAN is not from EPFO.