Manika 
(C): Unsplash
You are not alone if you have been trying to activate your UAN on the EPFO website and getting stuck. You’re not doing anything wrong if you’re facing a dead end while trying to activate your UAN on the EPFO website. In the aftermath of a significant upgrade in the system, the EPFO UAN activation process has been wrapped up from the primary Unified Member Portal. The process has now been completely moved to the UMANG App, and it is now required to be Face Authenticated with Aadhaar. So what’s new, why it changed and what you need to do to get your PF account going.
Quick Facts
| What changed | The UAN is deactivated from the EPFO portal. |
| How to turn it on now | All of your government services are available in the UMANG app (Google Play Store / Apple App Store). |
| Authentication required | Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FAT) |
| New UAN generation | The following is also moved to UMANG — Not on the website anymore. |
| Death claims | Still available on the EPFO portal |
| Stabilisation period | Claims may take slightly longer, ~2 weeks after the upgrade |
What Exactly Changed on the EPFO Portal?
EPFO has successfully sprung a cleansing exercise on its database and a software modernisation, introducing a new interface for its Unified Member Portal. The upgrade was intended to improve the speed of services and to ensure their security, but it also introduced some changes to how members access key functions.
When you understand why you are having to move, it can help you understand why EPFO UAN activation is not working on the website. Here’s what’s different:
| Service | Before Upgrade | After Upgrade |
| UAN Activation | It is easy to access as you can find it on the EPFO portal. | Moved to the UMANG app |
| New UAN Generation | Available on EPFO Portal | Moved to the UMANG app |
| Authentication method | Standard OTP/login | Aadhaar Face Authentication |
| UAN Retrieval (forgotten UAN) | Complex process | Simplified on the portal |
| Death Claim Filing | Available on the portal | Portal is still available |
| EPF Passbook / Login | Via activated UAN | If UAN is in use, it will not be changed once it is put in place. |
How to Activate Your UAN Now (Step-by-Step)
The entire process of activation of EPFO UAN is now done through the UMANG app. It’s easy to do:
- Install the UMANG app from the Google Play Store/Apple App Store.
- Click “Open EPFO Services” from the home screen.
- Click on “UAN Activation” under UAN Services Through Face Auth
- Face Authentication – Complete.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to activate.
After completion, the EPFO members can log in to their EPFO member portal with their new UAN and password as usual.
How to Generate a New UAN (If You Don’t Have One Yet)
Similar to the EPFO UAN activation process, new employees or employees whose UAN is not available can no longer create it on the EPFO website; instead, it has been moved to the Umang platform. Now the process takes place in the following manner:
- Open the UMANG app
- Go to EPFO Services
- Click on “UAN Allotment and Activation”
- Aadhaar-based Face Authentication
- Follow the instructions to create your UAN and activate it.
Already Have a PF Account But No UAN?
If you already have an EPF account, but have never been allotted a UAN, you can obtain it. Confirm registered mobile number, enter the necessary member information and finish verification. You will then receive a UAN, which will be connected with your existing account.
Forgot your UAN? This has been made easy by the upgraded Portal. Simply provide your registered mobile number, upload an identity proof or address proof and confirm the OTP. Your UAN will be fetched.
FAQ
What is the reason I am no longer able to activate my UAN on the EPFO website?
As per a massive upgrade in EPFO, the UAN activation process has been taken off its portal. The service has been shifted to the UMANG application, where an Aadhaar-based face authentication is now required for additional security.
Is the activation of EPFO UAN on UMANG free of cost?
Yes, the UMANG app is free to download, and there is no charge for the EPFO services available from it.
What is to be done if my EPFO login doesn’t work even if the UAN is active?
EPFO has urged members not to log in to its system multiple times during rush hours, in the first two-week stabilisation period. Don’t make duplicate requests. In case of any problem, please reach out to the EPFO helpdesk.
Is it still possible to access the EPF passbook and check the EPF balance?
Yes — after activation of the UAN, the facility of accessing the passbook of EPF and checking EPF balance is still available in the member portal of EPFO as before.
What documents do I need if filing a death claim on the EPFO portal?
It requires Aadhaar number, linked mobile no, bank account details, death certificate of the member, cancelled cheque/passbook and date of birth proof (if applicable). All documents should be PDF, no more than 2MB, and no spaces in the file names.
Key Takeaways
- EPFO has removed the option of UAN activation from the Unified Member Portal, and now it is available in the UMANG app.
- Both the process of activating UAN and generating new UAN is now required to be done with Aadhaar-based Face Authentication.
- The EPFO portal has been revamped and redesigned without affecting the login and passbook functionality after activation of the UAN.
- The UAN retrieval on the portal is now easy, with the user only having to confirm their mobile number and OTP.
- Allow extra time for claims during the stabilisation period and do not submit claims repeatedly.
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