Are you trying to withdraw your PF but can’t access your account? You may need to activate your UAN first.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to activate your UAN to manage your EPF account, track contributions, and enable PF withdrawals online all in a few simple steps
Why Activate Your UAN?
Your Universal Account Number (UAN) is the key to managing your Provident Fund (PF). Without it, you can’t:
- Track EPF contributions from your current or previous employers
- Withdraw PF online or submit claims like Form 19/10C
- Transfer PF to your new employer
- Download passbook or check PF balance
- Complete KYC for PF withdrawal
Benefits of UAN Activation
- One-stop EPF access: A single UAN links all your PF accounts — across different jobs — into one consolidated profile.
- Claim & withdraw online: Submit PF withdrawal claims directly on the EPFO Member Portal — no more paperwork.
- Seamless KYC: Link Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account to your UAN in a few clicks for smooth claim processing.
What Changed in July 2026
EPFO's unified member portal underwent a scheduled upgrade and database consolidation from 26 June to 3 July 2026. As part of that migration, UAN activation and new UAN generation were removed from the web portal entirely. Both are now handled exclusively through the UMANG app using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FAT). If a guide, including an older version of this one, tells you to click "Activate UAN" on the portal and enter an OTP, that instruction is now out of date.
Prerequisites Before You Activate UAN
- Your UAN or Member ID, from your employer or your salary slip.
- Aadhaar, PAN, and date of birth that match your EPFO records exactly.
- A mobile number linked to Aadhaar, since your OTP and face authentication both depend on it.
- The UMANG app and the Aadhaar FaceRD app installed on your phone. FaceRD runs in the background and performs the actual face match
How to Activate Your UAN Online (Current Process)
Step 1: Install UMANG and Aadhaar FaceRD
Both apps are required, download them from the Play Store or App Store.
Step 2: Open EPFO Services in UMANG
Launch UMANG, sign in with your mobile number, and search for "EPFO" in the services list.
Step 3: Choose "UAN Activation"
Under "UAN Services Through Face Authentication," select "UAN Activation" (this option is for an existing UAN that hasn't been activated yet, as opposed to generating a brand-new one).
Step 4: Enter Your Details
Enter your UAN or Member ID, name (as per Aadhaar or PF records), date of birth, and your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Step 5: Verify via OTP
You'll receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter it to proceed.
Step 6: Complete the Face Scan
Follow the prompts to scan your face using the Aadhaar FaceRD app. Use a well-lit space and hold your phone steady; most failures here come from poor lighting or a mismatch between your Aadhaar details and EPFO's records.
Step 7: Receive Your Password
Once verified, your UAN is activated and a temporary password is sent to your registered mobile number. Use this to log in and set a new password.
- Log in using your UAN and password at the EPFO portal
- Navigate to Manage → KYC
- Link your:Aadhaar
- PAN
- Bank Account
- Submit and wait for employer and UIDAI verification
Once approved, your KYC status will show as “Verified”, a crucial step to enable online PF withdrawal.
A Few Related Updates Worth Knowing
- Bulk UAN generation without Aadhaar does exist, but only for specific cases: employees of exempted PF trusts that surrendered or lost their exemption, or accounts undergoing recovery or quasi-judicial proceedings. It is not a general option for employers to skip Aadhaar for new hires; UANs created this way stay frozen until Aadhaar is seeded.
- Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme: EPFO had extended the deadline for UAN activation and Aadhaar-bank linking to qualify for ELI benefits to 30 June 2025. That deadline has since passed. The scheme's benefit window covers jobs created between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2027, so if you or your employer haven't confirmed enrollment, check current status directly with your employer or EPFO rather than relying on the earlier deadline.
Conclusion
Activation is the gate between having a UAN number and actually being able to use it. With the process now running entirely through UMANG's Face Authentication, it takes about ten minutes once your apps are installed and your Aadhaar details are in order.
Stuck on activation, or want someone to check your KYC status before you file a claim?
Book a Free Consultation with our EPF experts.
Have questions or want to stay updated on EPF changes? Join the conversation on Reddit, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube.