- MiDNI is the only official app to carry your digital ID on your mobile phone.
- Requires prior registration in person or with a card reader
- It does not replace the physical ID, but it works as a legal complement.
- Its download is available on Google Play and the App Store.
Carry your ID on your mobile phone is no longer an idea of the future. Recently, the Spanish Government has launched MyDNI, the official app developed by the National Police that allows you to use a digital version of your National Identity Document. Although it doesn't yet completely replace the physical document, its functionality is designed to be integrated into many everyday tasks.
This new application, following in the footsteps of other initiatives such as myDGT o My Citizen Folderrepresents another step in the digitalization process of public services in Spain. Below, you'll learn everything you need to know about registering, how to activate it, what functions it has, and to what extent it can replace the physical ID card.
What is MiDNI and what is it for?
MiDNI is an official and free application Developed and managed by the National Police, it allows you to carry your ID in digital format on your mobile phone. This app is primarily designed for identify in person before law enforcement officers or in establishments such as hotels. For legal purposes, it functions as a complement to the physical ID and has legal validity in certain contexts within the national territory.
It is not intended to completely replace the physical ID., at least for now. It cannot be used as a travel document to leave the country or to make electronic signatures, but it is useful as a identification method Valid in Spain. If you'd like to learn more about digital identity, you can check out other informative articles.
Some of its main functions include:
- Display basic or complete data about the owner using a QR code.
- Option to identify yourself using biometrics (fingerprint or face).
- Verifier to check the authenticity of other citizens' MiDNI credentials.
Essential requirements for using MiDNI
The use of MiDNI requires compliance with a series of basic requirements previously established.
1. Have a valid physical IDIt is essential that the document is not expired and that the digital certificates are active.
2. Mandatory prior registrationYou cannot use the app without first registering. This registration process links your mobile phone number to your official ID.
3. Compatible mobile deviceIt can be installed on both Android and iPhone devices by downloading it from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
How do I pre-register?
Registration is a crucial part of the process. There are three main ways to do this, depending on your circumstances:
- In the Documentation Units of the National PoliceYou can make an appointment through the official portal to go and register during your ID renewal.
- From home with a card readerIf you have a DNIe reader and the digital certificates are valid, you can access the official website. www.midni.gob.es and start the process.
- At a Documentation Update Point (DUP)They're similar to ATMs located in police stations. You don't need an appointment and they allow you to easily register your device.
It is important to note that the Registration links your mobile phone number to your identityIf you change your number, you'll have to go through the entire process again from the beginning. This entire process reflects how the MiDNI app aims to facilitate digital identity procedures.
Steps to activate MiDNI
Once you've completed the pre-registration, activation is quite intuitive. These are the steps you'll need to follow within the MiDNI app:
- Download the app from Google Play if you have Android or from the App Store if you have an iPhone.
- Open MiDNI and start the process by tapping “Start activation.”
- Accept the privacy policy and terms of service.
- Enter your DNI number (letter) and your support number (located below your date of birth on your physical document).
- Create password of at least eight characters.
- You will receive a confirmation code via SMS to verify your phone number.
After these steps, MiDNI will be activated and ready for use. This process represents a significant step forward in the digitalization of our personal documents.
Data display options
One of the most valued aspects of MiDNI is the possibility of choose how to display your data depending on the context. This represents a huge advance in terms of privacy and control over personal information.
When you submit your identity with the app, you can select from three levels of detail:
- DNI AGE: Show only your photo, name and whether you are of legal age.
- SIMPLE DNI: includes photo, name, surname, gender and validity of the document.
- FULL ID: reflects all the data included in the physical document.
This will allow you, for example, to show only what is strictly necessary when booking a hotel room or entering a venue, protecting your privacy. privacy without sacrificing authentication. For more information on digital security, you can consult related topics.
What can and cannot be done with MiDNI
As with all systems in the implementation phase, there are some major limitations what you should know:
It does not replace the physical IDAlthough it's valid for identification in many contexts, it doesn't replace the original document. It's a good idea to continue carrying it with you in key situations, such as trips abroad or important administrative tasks.
Cannot be used outside of SpainIt is not valid as a passport, nor for crossing borders, nor for identifying yourself on online services in other countries.
It is not yet compatible with electronic signatureAlthough it handles digital certificates, it currently does not support procedures that require a digital signature using Cl@ve or similar.
Doesn't work without internet connectionYou'll need access to mobile data or Wi-Fi to verify your identity, as it doesn't store data permanently on the device. These types of restrictions are common in digital identity applications and should be taken into account.
Differences between MiDNI and other similar applications
In the ecosystem of apps related to electronic identity in Spain, there are already other notable initiatives that have paved the way for MiDNI:
myDGT: Launched by the General Directorate of Traffic, it allows you to carry your digital driver's license and carry out procedures related to vehicles, sanctions, and permits.
My Citizen Folder: Centralizes documents, notifications, and procedures with public administrations, such as Social Security, the Tax Agency, or universities.
MyDNI focuses exclusively on the official identification via mobile, and has inherited many of the best practices of these other apps, such as the use of temporary QR codes or the ability to selectively display information. The MiDNI app represents an important step forward in the digitalization of administrative procedures.
Important: Fake apps and confusion with other platforms
Due to the rise of digital identity, unofficial apps have appeared that mimic MiDNI. Some even offer similar functions, such as reading the DNI chip using NFC, but they have no legal validity nor any connection with the National Police.
One of the most frequent confusions is with an application called "My DNI", which was already available in virtual stores and which, although it can facilitate procedures such as making an appointment or reading the DNIe chip, It is not an official app and is expressly advised against by the authorities.
Remember The legitimate version is called “MiDNI”, without spaces, and you can download it directly from the official links on Google Play or the App Store. Always check that the developer is the General Directorate of Police.
MiDNI opens the door to a reliable, secure, and functional digital identity in Spain. For now, it cannot completely replace the physical DNI, but its use will expand over time, especially starting in 2026, when its acceptance will be mandatory for public and private services. Digitizing our documents is not only convenient, but also a growing need in an increasingly connected environment.
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