Many users are faced with the need to find out the unique identifier of their device when it comes to linking accounts, restoring access to games, or setting up specific software. Android ID is a 64-bit number in hexadecimal format, which is generated when the operating system first boots and is stored in the system partition memory. Unlike IMEI, this number is software and can change after performing a full reset (Hard Reset).
The need to search for this number arises not only among advanced enthusiasts, but also among ordinary gadget owners, for example, when contacting the technical support of application developers. Some services use this particular parameter to identify the device in their database, ignoring serial numbers or MAC addresses. Google Play Services and various analytical SDKs actively use this identifier to target content and collect statistics.
There are several ways to get the coveted sequence of characters, ranging from simple USSD codes to using the ADB debugging interface. The choice of a specific method depends on the version of the installed operating system Android, the presence of root access and the goals you are pursuing. Next, we will analyze in detail each of the available options so that you can choose the most convenient one for your situation.
Search through the engineering menu and system codes
The fastest way to find out the necessary data is to use special codes entered through the standard dial pad. This method does not require installing third-party software and works on most devices from manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi or Meizu. However, it is worth considering that manufacturers can block access to hidden menus in new firmware versions for the safety of users.
First, open the “Phone” application and enter the combination ##8255##. If the service GTalk Service Monitoris installed on your device, a window will open where the identifier you need will be displayed in the line Aid . In some cases, this combination does not work, then you can try the universal code ##4636##, which opens the testing menu.
In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information”. Scroll down the list until you find a field labeled as Android ID. Please note that on some custom firmware this information may be hidden or replaced with a pseudo-identifier.
⚠️ Attention: Engineering menus are intended for diagnostic purposes. Do not change the settings in the “Radio” or “Network” sections if you do not understand their purpose, as this may lead to loss of connection.
If the codes do not work, try entering them without asterisks and hash marks in the search bar of the phone settings - some shells support this input format.
Using third-party applications from Google Play
If system methods did not give results, the simplest solution would be to install specialized software from the official application store. There are many utilities that scan the system and display all available information about the device in an easy-to-read form. Such apps often show not only Android ID, but also the serial number, kernel version and sensor data.
One of the most popular and reliable tools is the application Device ID. Once launched, it automatically reads all available IDs and groups them into categories. You won't need to grant the app root access for basic information, although some advanced settings may require superuser access.
It's also worth paying attention to utilities like AIDA64 or CPU-Z. Although they are primarily focused on displaying the characteristics of the processor and memory, the number we need is often duplicated in the “System” or “Device” section. The interface of these applications is intuitive and not overloaded with unnecessary advertising.
- 📱 Device ID - a specialized application that shows all types of identifiers in one window.
- 🛠️ AIDA64 - a powerful diagnostic tool with a detailed description of hardware and software.
- 📊 CPU-Z - a lightweight utility that quickly displays the main system data.
Receiving data through a computer and ADB
For users who do not want to clog up the phone's memory with unnecessary applications, the ideal option would be to use a debug bridge Android Debug Bridge. This method requires a computer with platform drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on the smartphone itself. The method is considered the most reliable, since it requests information directly from the system.
First you need to activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and click 7 times in a row on the “Build number” field. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu, find the new section “For Developers” and activate the switch USB debugging.
Connect the device to the PC via a high-quality cable. Open a command prompt or terminal in your ADB tools folder and enter the following command to get the ID:
adb shell settings get secure android_idThe system will instantly return a string of 16 hexadecimal characters. This is your unique code. The advantage of this method is that it works even on devices with a locked bootloader if debugging is enabled.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
The impact of resetting the settings on the identifier
It is important to understand the fundamental difference Android ID from hardware numbers like IMEI. If you decide to perform a Factory Reset, this ID will be regenerated. This behavior is built into the system's security architecture to protect user privacy when transferring the device to another person.
This feature is critical for those who use account linking in games or work applications precisely according to this parameter. After a reset, the application may perceive your phone as a completely new device, which will lead to loss of progress if a backup copy was not provided in the cloud.
The table below shows a comparison of the behavior of various identifiers for different types of impacts on the system:
| Identifier type | When resetting the settings | When flashing | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android ID | Change | Change | Software |
| IMEI | Does not change | Not changes | Hardware |
| Wi-Fi MAC address | Does not change* | Does not change | Hardware |
| Serial number | Does not change | Does not change | Hardware |
⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 8.0, the visibility of Android ID is limited. Applications see different IDs for different key signatures, which makes it difficult to track the user between different apps.
Why does Android ID change?
Changing the ID at reset is a security measure. It prevents ad networks or malware from being permanently attached to the device, even after the user has wiped it.
Differences in operating system versions
The evolution of the platform Android has made significant adjustments to how applications access unique device numbers. In older versions, up to Android 7.0, obtaining a global identifier was a trivial task for any installed software. However, with the tightening of privacy policies Google access to this data was strictly regulated.
On modern versions of the system, such as Android 10, 11 and newer, the concept of a single immutable ID for all applications has actually been abolished. Now each application gets its own, isolated ID. This means that two different apps on the same phone may see two different values for the same device. For developers and advanced users, this means that relying on this number as a permanent anchor for device identification is no longer possible. System Tools and ADB still show the "base" ID, but regular store apps will only see a package-specific truncated or hashed version of it. Android ID for the same device.
For developers and advanced users, this means that relying on this number as a permanent anchor for device identification can no longer be done. System Tools and ADB still show the "base" ID, but regular store apps will only see a package-specific truncated or hashed version of it.
On modern versions of Android, there is no universal ID visible to all apps due to Google's privacy policies.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the displayed identifier consists of only zeros or has an incorrect format. This may indicate a malfunction in the system settings section or a conflict after an unsuccessful firmware update. In such cases, standard viewing methods may produce erroneous data.
If you see a null ID, try rebooting the device in safe mode and checking the value again. If the problem persists, you may need to clear the partition cache Settings through the Recovery menu, but this should only be done by experienced users. It is also worth checking whether clone applications or modified versions of system services are installed on your phone.
In rare cases, on devices with an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery installed, the ID can be changed manually through the terminal. To return to the factory value, it is often enough just to reset the data, since the system will generate a new correct number upon first boot.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may differ depending on the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you don't find the item you need, use the settings search.
When entering commands in ADB, make sure that there are no extra spaces in the command line, especially at the beginning or end of the command, otherwise the system will generate a runtime error.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change Android ID without root access?
It is impossible to change this number using standard system tools. Modification Android ID requires superuser rights (root) and the use of specialized applications or editing system settings database files.
Is the Android ID the same for all applications on the phone?
On versions of Android 8.0 and higher - no. Each application receives a unique hash based on its signature. Only system utilities and applications with special privileges can see the global device identifier.
Does the Android ID coincide with the device serial number?
No, these are completely different values. The serial number is assigned by the manufacturer at the factory and recorded in the hardware, and Android ID is generated software when the system is first activated.
What will happen to Android ID when updating the system over the air (OTA)?
When updating the operating system version through the settings menu, the identifier is saved and does not change. It is reset only when performing a full data reset (Factory Reset).
Why do applications need this identifier?
Developers use it for analytics, fraud prevention, saving progress in games without mandatory registration, and also to target advertising impressions to a specific device.