How to find out Device ID on Android: all the methods and nuances

Device ID is a unique identifier of your Android device that is used by applications ad networks and even manufacturers to track activity, link licenses or diagnose problems. Knowing this parameter can be useful when setting up some services, debugging applications, or restoring access to accounts. However, not all users know where to find it and how to use it correctly.

In this article we will examine all current methods getting Device ID —from standard Android tools to specialized applications and commands ADB. We will also learn how this identifier differs from IMEI, Android ID and other markers, and whether it can be changed. If you are a developer, a tester, or just a curious user, you will find answers to all your questions here.

What is Device ID and why do you need it

Device ID is a unique string of characters that is assigned to each Android device at the production stage or first activation. Unlike IMEI (which is tied to the communication module), this identifier is formed based on a combination of hardware and software parameters, including:

• 🔧 Device serial number (SERIAL)
• 📱 Manufacturer identifier (MANUFACTURER)
• 🖥️ Firmware and kernel version (OS_VERSION)
• 🔒 Hash codes from some system components

Main scenarios where required Device ID:

• 📦 Linking purchases in games (for example, in Google Play Games or App Store alternatives).
• 🔍 Diagnosis of problems with technical support (manufacturers ask for it for logs).
• 📊 Tracking advertising activity (used in Google Advertising ID and similar systems).
• 🔐 Restoring access to some services (for example, banking applications when changing your phone).

It is important to understand that Device ID is not the same as:

• IMEI (international identifier of mobile equipment, tied to a SIM card).
• Android ID (generated when the system is first started, it may reset).
• MAC address (network ID, changes when connecting to different networks).

⚠️ Attention: Some applications may request Device ID to "improve the user experience", but in practice this is often used to collect data about your activity before providing it. identifier, check the privacy policy of the service.

Method 1: Obtaining a Device ID through Android settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in tools of the system. However, not all manufacturers provide direct access to Device ID in the menu Let's consider the universal path and options for popular brands.

General. algorithm:

1. Open Settings → About phone (or About device).
2. Find section General information, Software information or Status.
3. Look for fields Model number, Serial number or Device ID.

On pure Android (for example, Google Pixel) the path looks like this:

Settings → About phone → Software information → Build number (tap 7 times for unlock developer mode) → Go back → Model number/Serial number

For devices Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei there may be nuances:

Brand	Path to Device ID	Notes
Samsung	Settings → Phone information → Software information → Serial number	Sometimes you need to enter *#06# to display the full ID.
Xiaomi	Settings → About the phone → All characteristics → Device identifier	On some firmware (MIUI), the field may be called Unique code.
Huawei	Settings → System → About phone → Status → Device ID	On new models, you may need an account Huawei ID to view.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (especially with custom firmware) Device ID may not be displayed in full or in encrypted form. In this case, use alternative methods from the following. sections.

Method 2: Using developer mode

If the standard settings do not show it Device ID, you can extract it via Developer mode. This method works on most devices, but requires prior activation of hidden functions.

Steps to enable developer mode:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone.
2. Find item Build number (or MIUI version on Xiaomi).
3. Tap on it 7 times in a row —a notification “You have become a developer!” will appear.

Now return to the main menu Settings and open a new section For developers (may be located in System → Advanced). interested in:

• 📱 Device ID (sometimes called Device ID).
• 🔧 USB debugging (needed for the next method with ADB).
• 🔒 Backup password (may contain part of the identifier).

On some devices (for example, Sony Xperia) in developer mode, an item is available Device information, where the full Device ID is displayed in the format:

android.os.Build.DEVICE + android.os.Build.SERIAL

Enable developer mode (7 taps by build number)

Activate USB debugging

Remember or copy the serial number

Check for the presence of the "Device ID" item-->

Method 3: ADB commands for advanced users

If you needed Device ID for debugging or development, the most reliable way is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This tool allows you to extract the identifier directly from system files, even if it is hidden in the interface.

Prerequisites:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and drivers for your device.
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (see previous section).
• 🔌 Cable USB-Type C (or another compatible with your device).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command line (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   The serial number of your device should be displayed.

4. Get Device ID one of the commands:

   adb shell settings get secure android_id

   or (for more detailed information):

   adb shell getprop ro.boot.serialno

The result will look like a 16-digit hash (for example, a1b2c3d4e5f67890) or a combination of letters and numbers This is your Android ID, which is often used as part of Device ID.

⚠️ Attention: Do not transfer the received identifier to third parties if you are not sure of their reliability. Attackers can use it to link your device to fraudulent accounts or advertising campaigns.

Method 4: Applications for viewing Device ID

If you do not want to tinker with settings or commands, you can use specialized applications. They will not only show Device IDbut also provide additional information about the device.

Top 3 tested applications:

Application	What it shows	Link (Google Play)
Device ID by EVOZI	Device ID, Android ID, IMEI, serial number, processor information	com.evozi.deviceid
CPU-Z	Device ID, data about hardware, sensors, battery	com.cpuid.cpu_z
AIDA64	Full report about the device, including all identifiers	com.finalwire.aida64

How to use (for example Device ID by EVOZI):

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide the necessary permissions.
3. On the main screen you will see blocks with different identifiers:
   • 📱 Device ID —the main identifier.
   • 🔑 Android ID —used to link to Google services.
   • 📡 IMEI —for the communication module.

Click on any identifier to copy it to the clipboard.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require connection to a PC.
• ✅ Shows all possible identifiers in one place.
• ✅ Works even on devices with limited rights (without root).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some applications contain advertising.
• ❌ There is a risk of installing malware (download only from the official store).

What to do if the application does not show Device ID?

If after installation the application displays blank fields or errors, try:

1. Restart the device.

2. Clear the application cache in the settings.

3. Check if the antivirus is blocking access to system information.

4. (for example AIDA64 instead of CPU-Z).

Method 5: Programmatic method (for developers)

If you are developing an application and you need to get Device ID programmatically, you can use standard Android classes. However, note that with the output Android 10 (API 29) Access to some identifiers was limited due to privacy policy.

Example code for Java/Kotlin to obtain basic identifiers:

// Obtaining Android ID (does not change when resetting the settings)
String androidId = Settings.Secure.getString(
getContentResolver(),
Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID
);

// Obtaining the serial number (requires READ_PHONE_STATE permission)
String serialNumber = Build.SERIAL;

// Get IMEI (requires READ_PHONE_STATE permission)
TelephonyManager telephonyManager = (TelephonyManager) getSystemService(TELEPHONY_SERVICE);
String imei = telephonyManager.getDeviceId(); // Deprecated in API 26+

Important nuances:

• 🔒 For Build.SERIAL and IMEI you need permission READ_PHONE_STATE to AndroidManifest.xml.
• 📱 Starting from Android 10, IMEI and Build.SERIAL can return empty values without special permissions.
• 🔄 Android ID resets when the device is completely reset (factory reset).

An alternative approach is to use Advertising ID, which is intended for advertising purposes and can be reset by the user:

AdvertisingIdClient.Info adInfo = AdvertisingIdClient.getAdvertisingIdInfo(getApplicationContext());
String advertisingId = adInfo.getId();

⚠️ Attention: Collecting device identifiers without the user's explicit consent may violate policy Google PlayBefore using such methods in the application, please read privacy rules.

How to hide or change Device ID

If you are concerned about privacy, you can try to hide or reset Device IDHowever, it is impossible to completely change it on most devices without rootrights. Let's look at the available ones. options:

Identifier masking methods:

• 🔄 Reset settings: Return Android ID to the factory state, but will not change the hardware identifiers (IMEI, SERIAL).
• 🛡️ Using VPN + changing Advertising ID:
  1. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising.
  2. Click Reset advertising ID.
  3. Enable VPN to mask the network activity.

📱 Installing custom firmware: Some firmware (for example, LineageOS) allow you to change system identifiers.

For advanced users (required root):

• 🔧 Change Build.SERIAL by editing the file /system/build.prop.
• 📝 Overwrite Android ID using commands:

  su
  settings put secure android_id "new_identifier"

Important: Changing system identifiers can lead to the inoperability of some services (for example, Google Pay, banking applications) or loss of warranty.

Frequent errors and how to avoid them

When trying to receive Device ID users often encounter typical problems. Let's look at the most common of them and ways to solve them.

Error 1: Device ID is not displayed in the settings.

• 🔍 Reason: The manufacturer has hidden this option in the interface.
• ✅ Solution: Use ADB or third-party applications (see methods 3 and 4).

Error 2: Command adb devices does not find the device.

• 🔍 Cause: Drivers are not installed or USB debugging is not enabled.
• ✅ Solution:
  1. Check if the mode is enabled USB debugging.
  2. Reinstall the drivers (for example, Google USB Driver for Windows).
  3. Try a different USB cable or port.

Error 3: The viewing application Device ID shows empty fields.

• 🔍 Cause: Manufacturer restrictions or outdated version of Android.
• ✅ Solution:
  1. Update the application to the latest version.
  2. Try another application (for example, AIDA64 instead CPU-Z).
  3. Check whether the antivirus is blocking access to system information.

Error 4: After resetting the settings Device ID has not changed.

• 🔍 Reason: Only Android IDis reset, but the hardware identifiers (SERIAL, IMEI) remain the same.
• ✅ Solution: To completely change the identifiers, you will need root or flashing the device.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Can I find out Device ID of someone else's phone without his knowledge?

No, this is impossible without physical access to the device or special malware. Device ID is a local identifier that is not transmitted over networks without the user's explicit consent (for example, when installing applications). However, some scammers may try to lure it through phishing sites or fake applications.

What is the difference between Device ID and IMEI?

IMEI is an international identifier of mobile equipment associated with the communication module (modem) of the device. It is used by telecom operators to identify the phone on the network. Device ID is a broader concept that may include IMEI, Android ID, serial number and other parameters. For example, a tablet without. It does not have a SIM card IMEI, but it has Device ID.

Does the Device ID change after updating Android?

Usually no. Device ID is tied to the device hardware and does not change when updating the firmware. Android ID (which is sometimes mistakenly called Device ID) can be reset during a full reset (factory reset).

Can two devices have the same Device ID?

Theoretically yes, but the likelihood of this is extremely low. Device ID formed based on unique hardware parameters (serial number, MAC address, etc.), so a match is only possible if the device is cloned or a manufacturer error. In reality, such cases are rare and can be quickly eliminated.

How to protect your Device ID from leakage?

To minimize risks:

• Do not install applications from unverified ones. sources.
• Regularly reset Advertising ID in Google settings.
• Use a VPN to mask network activity.
• Refuse to provide an identifier if the application does not explain why you need it.