The arrival of the official MiDNI app has brought about a true revolution in how citizens can carry, present, and manage their National Identity Document (DNI) from their mobile phones in Spain. Following its recent launch, considerable confusion has arisen due to the presence in app stores of other apps with almost identical names, such as "Mi DNI," which promise similar functions but offer no official guarantee or legal backing.
To avoid misunderstandings and help you clearly understand what MiDNI is , how it differs from "Mi DNI," and why choosing the right app is so important, we've prepared this updated guide with all the information you need. Here you'll discover how the digital ID card works, what you can and can't do with it, how to register, the advantages of using it, and the risks of unofficial alternatives.
What is MiDNI and what is it for?
The MiDNI app is the only official application recognized by the National Police for managing and presenting the digital ID card in Spain. Developed within the framework of the Digital Identity Plan, promoted by the Ministry of the Interior and the General Directorate of the Police, it allows any citizen to carry a digital version of their identity card on their mobile phone with the same legal validity as the physical ID card for in-person purposes.
This application does not permanently replace physical documents (at least in the first phase of the project), but it does offer enormous advantages in terms of convenience and privacy, allowing you to verify your identity, age, or the validity of your document in multiple everyday situations, always in a secure and controlled manner.
The MiDNI app is available for free on both Google Play (for Android) and the App Store (for iPhones) and allows you to select your preferred language from Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque, and English. The official logo is easily recognizable: a navy blue background, the letters “MIDNI” in capital letters, light blue and white colors, accompanied by fragments of the Spanish and European flags.
Why are there other apps with similar names like Mi DNI?
Many users, when searching for an app to carry their ID card on their mobile phone, come across several applications called "My ID" or similar . Why do these alternatives exist? Simply put, these third-party applications arrived on the market earlier and took advantage of the gap until the arrival of the official app. Their aim was to offer partial solutions, such as storing a photo of the document or providing links to administrative procedures, but they lack the backing of the Government or the National Police.
These are mostly fraudulent applications, although they do pose a significant privacy risk because personal data is stored on unofficial servers . Furthermore, the documents they display are invalid in any legal process, public administration, or procedure where identification is required.
The real problem is the confusion caused by the coexistence of these apps, especially since some still appear first in Google Play searches due to their age. Therefore, it's crucial to distinguish between official sources and download MiDNI, or the police website , avoiding uploading your document to any other site.
Legal and functional differences between MiDNI and Mi DNI
The most significant difference between MiDNI and any other alternative app like Mi DNI is the legal validity of the generated documents . Only MiDNI, being connected to the official servers of the National Police, can guarantee the authenticity and currency of the data it presents. Other apps, even if they display an image of your ID, are not valid for official procedures, administrative processes, access controls, or with law enforcement.
Some of the most important differences between the two options are:
- Legal validity: MiDNI is the only officially recognized app. Mi DNI and other similar apps are not legally valid.
- Privacy: Only MiDNI guarantees secure data handling, without storing it on third-party servers.
- Functionality: MiDNI allows you to display only the data strictly necessary according to the context (age, basic identity, complete information), while unofficial apps only show the photo or scan of the entire document, without checking or updating it.
- Safety: MiDNI generates temporary QR codes connected in real time to the National Police database, making them impossible to counterfeit. Alternative apps don't offer this layer of security.
Advantages of activating and using your digital ID with MiDNI
The implementation of the digital ID card brings new possibilities for citizens . From not having to constantly carry the physical document, to having a more private and flexible way to prove our identity, MiDNI marks the beginning of a new era in personal identification in Spain.
The main advantages of using MiDNI are:
- Comfort: You can carry your ID on your mobile phone, making it easy to present at any time.
- advanced privacy: Only display the necessary information for the situation. For example, you can only prove age without displaying other personal information.
- Secure and temporary QR code: The app generates a unique QR code for each use that deactivates after a few seconds and cannot be copied or stored outside the device.
- No third-party storage: The data is not stored on the verifier's mobile phone or on servers other than those of the National Police.
- Legal support: The use of the app is fully supported by Spanish legislation and guarantees the authenticity of your identity during in-person transactions.
How to obtain and activate a digital ID in the MiDNI app?
Activating your digital ID card involves three key steps: registration, app download, and final activation. The requirements and step-by-step procedure are detailed below:
- Have a valid physical ID and with active electronic certificates.
- Previous registration: You have to associate the personal mobile phone number to the physical IDThis registration can be done through:
- The official website www.midni.gob.es (if you have a card reader and valid electronic ID keys).
- Any police station, using a Documentation Update Post (PAD).
- During the DNI renewal process itself, at the National Police documentation offices.
- Download the MiDNI app from Google Play or the App Store, depending on your mobile device.
- Enter the activation information: DNI number with letter and the support number (which appears on the physical document, three letters and six digits).
- Set a strong password and configure biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition, if desired).
- Enter the verification code received via SMS to validate your registration.
- Once completed, click 'Go to my ID' and you can start using the app to identify yourself legally and securely.
Remember that each ID can only be linked to one mobile phone, and if you change your number, you'll need to repeat the linking process.
What can (and can't) be done with MiDNI?
In its initial launch phase, MiDNI serves only for in-person identity verification. This means you can use it to physically identify yourself in many everyday situations where you previously needed to show your physical ID card.
Some of the procedures in which you can use MiDNI are:
- In-person identification before any public authority or administration.
- Exercise the right to vote in elections.
- Open bank accounts and carry out financial transactions in person.
- Sign deeds before a notary and establish in-person legal relationships.
- Hotel check-in, car rental, show admission, package pickup, ticket purchases, and more.
- Adjust the level of information shared based on your needs: age only, basic information, or a full document.
For now, the app does NOT allow users to complete online procedures, enter other countries, or use it as an electronic travel document . It also does not completely replace the physical ID card, which remains necessary for certain procedures and travel outside of Spain. The government expects to expand these functions in a second phase, planned for 2026, where the digital ID card will be valid for online procedures, internet authentication, and electronic signatures.
How is data displayed and validated in MiDNI?
When you need to present your identity, MiDNI allows you to choose the level of information you share , respecting your privacy. There are three options:
- DNI AGE: Only show the age of majority and your photo.
- SIMPLE DNI: Displays the full name, photo, date of birth, gender, and document validity.
- FULL ID: Includes all the data from the physical document.
The information is presented as a QR code generated in real time by the National Police servers, valid for only a few seconds. This ensures that the data is always up-to-date and impossible to tamper with. The code can be scanned by any compatible reader or by another mobile phone with the MiDNI app in verification mode, for example, when signing a contract or identifying oneself to another person.
Privacy, security and access control in MiDNI
Security and privacy have been the top priorities in the development of MiDNI. No personal data is stored on the verifier's mobile phone or on servers outside the police. All data is accessed in real time, remains on screen for only a few seconds, and then disappears automatically. In case of loss or theft of the mobile phone, the data is inaccessible, and the user must re-link their ID to a new device.
A user's digital ID card can only be activated via phone, and it's impossible to associate multiple documents with the same mobile number , thus providing a layer of traceability and control. If the user changes their phone number, they must register the new one following the same management and verification process.
The electronic certificates stored on the chip in the physical ID card are essential for obtaining and using the digital ID card and must be valid and renewed according to official guidelines.
Data protection officers and the app's own terms and conditions make it clear that any misuse, fraudulent modification, attempted manipulation, or use for illegal purposes will result in immediate deactivation and potential legal implications.
Thanks to the introduction of the MiDNI app , citizens in Spain now have an official, secure, easy-to-use, and completely legal alternative for proving their identity in most everyday situations. The existence of other apps with similar names only underscores the importance of choosing correctly and protecting your personal data. The future of digital identification is already underway, but remember that, for the time being, the physical ID card is still necessary in several areas, especially for travel and online transactions. The key is to take advantage of the convenience of the digital world without compromising security.
