- 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.
Carrying your ID card on your mobile phone is no longer a futuristic idea. The Spanish government recently launched MiDNI , the official app developed by the National Police that allows you to use a digital version of your National Identity Document. While it doesn't yet completely replace the physical document, its functionality is designed to integrate seamlessly into many everyday tasks.
This new app, following in the footsteps of other initiatives like miDGT and Mi Carpeta Ciudadana , represents another step in the digitization of public services in Spain. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about how to register, how to activate it, its features, 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 that allows you to carry your National Identity Document (DNI) in digital format on your mobile phone. This app is primarily designed for in-person identification with law enforcement officers or in establishments such as hotels. For legal purposes, it serves as a complement to the physical DNI and is legally valid in certain contexts within Spain.
It's not intended to completely replace the physical ID card , at least not yet. It can't be used as a travel document to leave the country or for electronic signatures, but it is a valid form of identification within Spain. If you'd like to learn more about digital identity, you can consult 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
Using MiDNI requires meeting a series of basic requirements that have been previously established.
1. Have a valid physical ID card . It is essential that the document is not expired and that the digital certificates are active.
2. Registration is mandatory . You cannot use the app without prior registration. This registration process links your mobile phone number to your official identity.
3. Compatible mobile device . It can be installed on both Android phones and iPhones, by downloading it from the Google Play Store or 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's important to note that registration links your mobile phone number to your identity . If you change your number, you'll need to repeat the entire process from the beginning. This whole process reflects how the MiDNI app aims to simplify procedures related to digital identity.
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 ability to choose how your data is displayed depending on the context. This represents a huge step forward 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 display only what is strictly necessary when booking a hotel room or accessing a venue, protecting your 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 important limitations that you should be aware of:
It does not replace the physical ID card . Although it is valid for identification in many contexts, it does not replace the original document. It is advisable to continue carrying it with you in key situations such as trips abroad or important administrative procedures.
It cannot be used outside of Spain . It is not valid as a passport, for crossing borders, or for identification on online services in other countries.
It is not yet compatible with electronic signatures . Although it handles digital certificates, it does not currently allow procedures that require a digital signature using Cl@ve or similar systems.
It doesn't work without an internet connection . You'll need access to mobile data or Wi-Fi to verify your identity, as it doesn't permanently store the data on your device. These types of restrictions are common in digital identity apps 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:
miDGT : Launched by the Directorate General of Traffic, it allows you to carry your digital driving 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, Tax Agency or universities.
MiDNI focuses exclusively on official identification via mobile phone and has adopted many best practices from other similar apps, such as the use of temporary QR codes and the ability to selectively display information. The MiDNI app represents a significant step forward in the digitization of administrative procedures.
Important: Fake apps and confusion with other platforms
Due to the rise of digital identity, unofficial applications mimicking MiDNI have appeared. Some even offer similar functions, such as reading the DNI chip via NFC, but they have no legal validity or connection to 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 requesting an appointment or reading the chip of the DNIe, is not an official app and is expressly discouraged by the authorities.
Remember that 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 verify 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 ID card, but its use will expand over time, especially from 2026 onwards, when its acceptance will be mandatory for public and private services. Digitizing our documents is not only convenient, but also a growing necessity in an increasingly connected world.