Each smartphone, tablet or wearable device based on the Android operating system has its own unique digital passport. This set of characters, which is often called simply ID (from English Identification - identification), allows you to distinguish one gadget from millions of others on the global network. Understanding which ID is required in a particular situation is critical to setting up services, restoring access, or solving technical problems. Which ID is needed? There are many levels of identification in the Google ecosystem. This is not just a set of random numbers, but a complex hierarchy of data tied to both the device’s hardware and software. When you turn on a new phone for the first time, it generates or asks for several different codes at the same time. Some of them remain unchanged throughout the life cycle of the gadget, while others may change after resetting settings or reinstalling applications. The identifier is required in a specific situation; it is critical for setting up services, restoring access, or solving technical problems.
There are many layers of identification in the Google ecosystem. This is not just a set of random numbers, but a complex hierarchy of data tied to both the device’s hardware and software. When you turn on a new phone for the first time, it generates or asks for several different codes at the same time. Some of them remain unchanged throughout the life cycle of the gadget, while others may change after resetting settings or reinstalling applications.
Knowing the difference between these codes will help you avoid confusion when communicating with technical support or when setting up a corporate profile. Users often mistakenly believe that Device ID is the only number that needs to be known. In fact, depending on the task, you may need an IMEI to block a stolen phone, an Android ID to run advertising networks, or a Google Account ID to synchronize data. Let's look at each type in detail and learn how to get them.
Types of identifiers in the Android ecosystem
The first thing a beginner needs to understand: the term “ID” is a collective one. There are several different numbers hidden in the settings of your smartphone, each of which performs its own unique function. The most famous of them is IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This is an international identifier for mobile equipment, which is assigned to the manufacturing plant and “hardwired” into the device’s modem at the hardware level.
Unlike IMEI, which is tied to the case and board itself, Android ID is a software identifier. It is generated by the system when the operating system first boots. If you do a Factory Reset, this number will change. This fundamental difference is often overlooked when trying to use Android ID for warranty service or to lock a lost phone.
There is also the concept of Advertising ID (Advertising ID). This code was created specifically for marketers and advertising networks to track user interests without violating their complete anonymity. Unlike permanent serial numbers, Advertising ID can be reset at any time through your privacy settings, making it a flexible tool for protecting your privacy.
If you're selling a used phone, be sure to reset your Advertising ID and perform a Factory Reset to prevent the new owner from gaining access to your digital profile.
Finally, don't forget about Google Account ID. This is not the device number, but your Google account number. It is tied to your email address and is used to log into Play Market, Gmail and other services. Confusing a personal account with a hardware identifier is a serious mistake that can lead to loss of access to important data.
How to find the IMEI and serial number of a device
Finding hardware identifiers is a trivial task, but requires care. The fastest way to find out IMEI on any Android phone is to use the universal engineering team. You don't need to dig through menus or download third-party apps. Just open the “Phone” application (dialer) and enter a special sequence of characters.
*#06#Immediately after entering the last character, a pop-up window with information about the device will automatically appear on the screen. If you have a dual-SIM smartphone, you will see two different IMEI numbers: one for the first slot (IMEI 1) and one for the second slot (IMEI 2). This is a normal situation, since each radio module has its own unique serial number.
An alternative search method is to use the system settings. The path may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the general logic remains the same. Usually the information is hidden in the “About phone” or “About device” section. There you can also find Serial number (S/N), which is often required to register a warranty on the manufacturer's official website.
- 📱 Go to
Settingsyour smartphone. - 🔍 Find the section
About phone(often located at the very bottom of the list). - 📄 Click on the item
General informationorStatus. - 👁️ Scroll down to the IMEI and Serial number lines.
☑️ Device authentication
Also, a physical sticker with these data is always present on the original box of the device. Keep the packaging at least during the warranty period. In case of theft or loss of the phone, it is these numbers from the box that will allow you to write a statement to the police and request blocking of the device from the telecom operator.
Where to find Android ID and Advertising ID
Unlike “hard” numbers, software identifiers are hidden deeper in the depths of the operating system. The average user rarely encounters the need Android ID, but app developers and digital advertising specialists use it all the time. This 16-digit hexadecimal number is created when you first set up your phone and is stored in a protected memory area.
It is impossible to find an Android ID through the standard settings menu, as Google deliberately hid this option from ordinary users to prevent identity manipulation. To view this code, you will need to install a special third-party application from the Google Play Store. There are many free utilities, such as “Device ID” or “Android Device ID”, that read this information in seconds.
As for Advertising ID, the situation here is different. Because this ID directly impacts your privacy and the ads you see, Google has made it easy to manage through your system settings. You can not only view the current code, but also reset it if you think that the data collection system has become too intrusive.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting your Advertising ID does not completely delete your activity history from Google servers, but it breaks the connection between the old interest profile and the new identifier. Advertising networks will start collecting data about you again.
To find the advertising identifier, follow this path: go to Settings, then select the section Google. In the menu that opens, find the item Advertising. There you will see an “Advertising ID” option and a button to reset it. On some versions of Android, this path may look like Settings → Privacy → Advertising.
Why do developers need an Android ID?
Developers use Android ID for saving progress in games without the need to create an account, as well as for analyzing application installations. However, if the user resets the phone settings, the application will “forget” it, since the ID will change.
Comparison table of the main types of ID
To systematize the knowledge gained and quickly navigate the types of identifiers, we have prepared a summary table. It will help you understand which code is needed in a particular situation and whether it can be changed.
| ID type | Purpose | Can it be changed? | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI | Identification of equipment in cellular phones networks | No (hardware) | Carriers, police, warranty |
| Android ID | OS installation identification | Yes (after reset) | Applications, synchronization, analytics |
| Advertising ID | Targeted advertising | Yes (at any time) | Advertising networks, marketers |
| Google Account ID | User identification | No (linked to email) | Gmail, Play Market, Disk |
As can be seen from the table, IMEI is the only immutable identifierwhich cannot be faked using software methods on a regular device without breaking the law and damaging the firmware. This makes it the main tool in the fight against theft of mobile devices.
Why do you need to know your ID and measures security
Knowing your identifiers is not just technical curiosity, but an element of digital hygiene. In situations where your phone is stolen, it is IMEI becomes the key that allows you to lock the device at the operator level. Without this number, the phone becomes a “brick” for calls in your region, which reduces its market value for attackers.
However, transferring this data to third parties can be dangerous. Fraudsters can use information about your Android ID or serial number for social engineering. Posing as support staff, they may give out your information to gain trust and lure passwords from banking applications or Google accounts.
⚠️ Attention: Never post photos of your phone box or screenshots of the About device menu on social networks with visible barcodes and IMEI numbers. This data can be used for device cloning or fraudulent guarantee schemes.
It is also worth remembering the confidentiality of Advertising ID. If you don't want apps to build a detailed profile of your purchases and interests, reset this ID regularly or turn off ad personalization in Google's settings. This will not remove advertising completely, but will make it less relevant and less intrusive.
In a corporate environment, knowledge Device ID is necessary for system administrators. When implementing MDM (Mobile Device Management) policies, these numbers are used to link the device to a work profile, restrict access to the camera, or prohibit the installation of games. Without the correct ID, the device simply will not be able to connect to the company’s secure network.
IMEI is your phone’s “fingerprint” that cannot be changed. Take care of it like the key to your apartment and do not give it to strangers without a good reason.
Problems with identifiers and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the device displays an incorrect ID or even writes “Null” instead of the IMEI number. Most often, this indicates a serious software glitch, damage to the EFS partition (where network settings are stored) or the consequences of an unsuccessful flashing. In such cases, the phone may not see the SIM card or may not connect to the network.
If the problem affects Android ID, and applications constantly “forget” your progress or settings, the cause may be an access rights conflict or a damaged system cache. In this case, clearing Google Play Services data can help, but this must be done with caution so as not to disrupt other system functions.
adb shell settings put secure android_idThe above command requires root access and installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It allows you to manually register a new Android ID, which is sometimes required by developers to test applications in various conditions. It is strictly not recommended for ordinary users to interfere in this area unless absolutely necessary.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and the location of menu items may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei). If you do not find the described item, use the settings search by entering the word “ID” or “Status.”
In case of complete loss of IMEI after an unsuccessful update, the only solution is often to contact an authorized service center. Restoring this number at home is only possible if you have a backup of the EFS partition made in advance and deep knowledge in the field of mobile development.
Before any manipulations with the firmware or obtaining root access, be sure to make a full backup of the EFS/NVRAM partition. This will save your IMEI in case of failure.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change IMEI on Android legally?
In most countries of the world, changing IMEI is an illegal act, since this number is used to identify the device in government registries and operator databases. Technically, this is possible if you have root access and special software, but this voids the device’s warranty and can lead to legal problems.
Why did my Android ID change by itself?
Android ID is tied to the application signature and the user. If you uninstalled the app and reinstalled it, or if the app was updated with a developer signature change, the ID may change. It is also reset when performing a full Factory Reset of the entire device.
Is it dangerous to give your Advertising ID to advertisers?
The Advertising ID itself does not contain your personal data, such as your name or phone number. It only associates actions in applications with a specific device. However, given sufficient data, it is theoretically possible to create a personality profile. Regularly resetting the ID reduces this risk.
Where can I find a device ID for a game if it requires one?
Usually games require an Android ID or a Google Play Games account ID. To get an Android ID, download a free application like “Device ID” from the Play Market. If you need a Google account, go to your phone settings in the “Accounts” section and select your Google profile.
What to do if the settings display IMEI 000000000000000?
Zero IMEI means that the phone cannot read data from non-volatile memory. This often happens after unsuccessful experiments with custom firmware. Try returning to stock firmware. If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to reflash the modem or repair it at the service.