In the world of mobile technologies, the concept of “device ID” often becomes blurred, since it can mean completely different identifiers. This can be unique IMEI, necessary for blocking a lost gadget upon a complaint to the police, or software Android IDused by applications for collecting analytics and targeted advertising. Understanding the difference between these numbers is critical for solving specific problems, be it restoring access to a Google account or checking the repair history when buying a used smartphone.
Modern operating systems, such as Android 10, Android 11 and newer, have significantly limited the access of third-party applications to persistent hardware identifiers for user privacy purposes. Now not every application can access the serial number or MAC address, which forces gadget owners to look for alternative ways to view this data through the system menu or special utilities. In this article, we will analyze in detail all existing methods for obtaining identification data of your device.
Regardless of whether you use a budget Xiaomi Redmi or flagship Samsung Galaxy S, the basic principles of obtaining information remain similar, although the menu layout may differ in depending on the manufacturer's shell. We will look at both standard methods through the settings and advanced methods for experienced users, including working with USB debugging.
Differences between types of identifiers on Android
Before you start searching for numbers, you need to clearly understand what kind of code you need. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique A 15-digit number assigned to each cellular module at the factory. It is strictly tied to the hardware and does not change when resetting the settings or flashing the device. It is this number that telecom operators use to block stolen phones on their networks.
In contrast, Android ID (or SSAID) is a 64-bit hexadecimal string generated by the system during the first boot after a data reset. This ID is unique for each app and user signature on a specific device. If you do a hard reset (Factory Reset), the Android ID will change, while the IMEI will remain the same. There is also Serial Number (Serial Number), which is assigned by the manufacturer and is often used for warranty service.
⚠️ Attention: Never publish your IMEI or serial number in open sources, social networks or on forums. Attackers can use this data to clone a device or illegally re-register equipment in operator networks.
Used for advertising purposes GAID (Google Advertising ID). This is a temporary identifier that the user can reset at any time through Google settings to reset the accumulated interest profile. Understanding this hierarchy will help you choose the right method for finding the information you need.
The fastest way: USSD codes and phone menus
The most universal and fastest method of obtaining a primary identifier (IMEI) works on the vast majority of smartphones, regardless of the operating system version. You don't need Internet access or deep knowledge of settings. Just open the standard "Phone" application, through which you make calls, and enter a special service command.
Enter the code on the keyboard *#06#. Immediately after entering the last digit, a pop-up window with technical information will automatically appear on the screen. If your device has dual SIM cards, you will see two different IMEI numbers as each slot has its own unique communication module. Also often displayed here is the IMEISV number (IMEI version) and the serial number of the device.
If the code *#06# does not work or the window immediately disappears, try pressing the call button after entering the numbers. On some older models, this is a prerequisite for displaying information.
In addition to the code, this data is duplicated in the system menu. The path may differ slightly, but the general logic remains the same: go to Settings → About phone → General information. On devices with clear Android (for example, Google Pixel or Moto) the path looks like Settings → About phone → IMEI number. In the shell One UI from Samsung information is in the section Settings → Phone information.
- 📱 IMEI: The main hardware identifier, used for blocking and warranty.
- 🆔 Android ID: Software identifier, changes after resetting the settings.
- 🏷️ Serial number: Manufacturer's batch number, often duplicates IMEI or is a derivative of it.
- 📡 MAC address: Unique address of the network interface (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).
Search for identifiers through system settings
If for some reason the service code does not work or you need to find out not IMEI, namely Android ID or advertising identifier, you will have to delve into the settings menu. The interface of modern shells can hide this data behind several levels of nesting. To obtain an Android ID using standard means without installing third-party software in new versions of the system, you may need to use the "For Developers" menu.
To activate this menu, go to Settings → About phone and find the item Build number. Click on it quickly 7 times in a row until the “You have become a developer” notification appears. After this, a new section will appear in the main settings menu For developers. Inside this section you can sometimes find debugging information, but the Android ID itself is most often hidden from direct viewing in the standard interface for security reasons.
For viewing Advertising ID (GAID) path is usually as follows: Settings → Google → Advertising. Here you will see the line "Advertising ID" with a set of characters. This identifier can be reset with the "Reset advertising ID" button, which will break the connection between your device and the accumulated advertising profile, but will not change the hardware numbers.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interface on smartphones Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS), Huawei (EMUI) i Realme may differ significantly from stock Android. If you cannot find the item you need, use the settings search by entering the word "ID" or "Status".
Using applications to obtain technical information
When the built-in tools are not enough or you need to know more specific parameters, such as Wi-Fi MAC address in a randomized mode or the exact processor model, specialized utilities come to the rescue. In the store Google Play there are many free applications that aggregate all information available to the system in a convenient form.
One of the most reliable tools is the application Device Info HW or AIDA64. After installation and launch, such a app scans the system and issues a detailed report. In the "System" or "Device" section you will find fields Android ID, Serial Number, IMEI (if the application has the appropriate permissions) and other technical parameters. This is especially useful if the sticker on the case has worn off and the box is lost.
Why apps can't see IMEI on Android 10+
Starting with Android 10, Google has introduced strict restrictions on access to immutable device identifiers. Applications that are not privileged system utilities or do not have a carrier signature can no longer access the IMEI and serial number through standard APIs. They will return empty values or stubs. Retrieving this data now requires either manual access to settings or using ADB with elevated privileges.
When installing such utilities, carefully read the requested permissions. To display complete phone information, the application may need access to the phone status (READ_PHONE_STATE). Without this permission, it will only show software identifiers, but will not be able to read IMEI from the communication module.
Obtaining ID through a computer and USB debugging (ADB)
For advanced users and developers, the most powerful tool is to use the platform Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to access system variables that are hidden from the average user and display them on the computer screen. This is the only way to be sure to find out the Android ID on modern versions of the OS without installing unnecessary applications on the smartphone itself.
To get started, you need to activate USB debugging in the "For Developers" menu (as described above) and connect your smartphone to the PC with a cable. The device drivers and platform Android SDK Platform-Toolsmust be installed on the computer. Once connected, open a command line or terminal in the ADB tools folder.
Enter the following command to get the Android ID:
adb shell settings get secure android_idThe system will return a string of 16 hexadecimal characters - this is your unique identifier. To get the serial number, you can use the command:
adb shell getprop ro.serialno☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
This method also allows you to find out the MAC address of the interfaces, even if it is hidden in the settings due to the randomization function. The command adb shell ip link show will display a list of all network interfaces and their physical addresses. This is an indispensable tool when diagnosing network problems or setting up filtering by MAC address in a router.
Where to find the ID on the device case and packaging
If the smartphone does not turn on, the screen is broken, or the system is frozen at the boot stage, software methods for searching for identifiers become useless. In such situations, physical storage media remains the only hope. Manufacturers are required to duplicate key data on the device itself and its packaging.
On most modern smartphones, the information is printed on a factory sticker located on the back cover. However, given the trend towards solid glass or metal bodies, the sticker is often removed. If this is the case, look for small print engravings right on the case, usually at the bottom of the back panel. The model, serial number and IMEI will be indicated there.
The most reliable source is the original box from the device. On one of the sides of the cardboard package there is always a sticker with barcodes, under which all the important numbers are duplicated: IMEI 1, IMEI 2, S/N (Serial Number) and sometimes P/N (Part Number). Saving the box is recommended not only to find the ID, but also to simplify the warranty repair procedure.
| ID type | Where to look | Does it change? | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI | *#06#, Settings, Sticker | No (hardware) | 15 digits |
| Android ID | ADB, Applications | Yes (after reset) | 16 characters (hex) |
| Serial number | Settings, Box, Housing | No | Miscellaneous |
| Google Ad ID | Google Settings | Yes (on request) | 36 characters |
⚠️ Attention: When buying a used smartphone, be sure to check the IMEI displayed by code
*#06#with the number on the box and in the warranty card. A discrepancy in numbers may indicate that the device was assembled from spare parts ("restored by handicraft") or is on a black list of operators.
The most reliable way to verify the authenticity of a device is a complete match of the IMEI in the menu, on the case and on the box. Any discrepancy is a reason to refuse the purchase.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the IMEI number on Android?
Technically, this is only possible on devices with superuser rights (Root) and using special engineering software. However, in most countries, changing IMEI is illegal. In addition, an incorrect entry can lead to a complete loss of communication (crashing the modem database), and it will be extremely difficult to restore the phone.
What to do if the *#06# command does not work?
If entering the code does not cause a reaction, check whether the "Phone" application is working correctly. Try rebooting your device. If the problem persists, your smartphone's firmware may be modified or contain errors. In this case, look for information in the menu Settings → About phone.
Why do applications need Android ID?
Developers use Android ID to identify a unique application installation. This helps track the number of active users, prevent abuse of bonus systems and save user settings in the cloud, linking them to a specific instance of the app on the device.
Is Android ID the same on two different phones of the same owner?
No, Android ID is generated individually for each device during the first setup. Even if you sign into the same Google account on two different smartphones, their Android IDs will be completely different. This allows the system to distinguish between devices within the same ecosystem.
Where can I find the ID of a tablet without a SIM card?
On tablets without a cellular module, there is no IMEI number. To identify such a device, use the Serial Number (S/N), which can be found in Settings → About the tablet, or Android ID, obtained through applications such as AIDA64 or the ADB command.