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The question that both the developers and IT admins face, is clear – How can a device be uniquely recognised without invading privacy controls or losing consistency across workflows?
Android’s growing privacy framework when combined with the changing identifier policies, has made it increasingly challenging to balance user identity with the need for reliable device recognition. Whether it’s for app analytics, licensing, or enterprise device management, finding that balance between unique identification and data protection has become central to modern Android development and administration.
This blog discusses the concept of the Android ID, exploring its role, generation logic, and practical implications in modern Android management. It also highlights how UEM platforms like Hexnode leverage such identifiers responsibly, ensuring accurate device tracking, compliance enforcement, and secure lifecycle management across enterprise fleets.
What is Android ID?
Android ID in definition is a unique 64-bit hexadecimal string that Android generates to identify a device. In other terms, it acts as the Android device ID, allowing a way for apps and services to tell one device apart from another. Hardware identifiers such as IMEI are different from the Android device ID because this is tied to the software ecosystem and created during the device’s first boot.
At the OS level, the Android ID is managed within the system framework and exposed through APIs. This makes it a core element of how Android handles device-level identification across apps, services, and management platforms.
Why is Android ID important?
Across development and enterprise, Android ID offers a privacy-conscious, accessible, and relatively stable method of device recognition.
- For developers – A lightweight solution to track installations, enforce licensing, or personalize user experiences without relying on sensitive hardware identifiers.
- For IT administrators – It forms the foundation for device recognition in enterprise environments.
In UEM solutions like Hexnode, the Android ID helps IT teams individually identify and manage enrolled devices. Android ID is a reliable anchor point for device inventory, lifecycle management, and secure access control.
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Technical overview of Android ID
What is the Android ID String?
The Android ID string: It is a 64-bit hexadecimal value assigned by the OS during the device’s initial setup. This is represented as a hex string and is always consistent for the lifecycle of the device, unless specific conditions reset it.
Internally, the system stores the value in the constant Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID, allowing it to be available through Android’s secure settings to apps and management. For a developer, this makes the Android ID a convenient way to differentiate devices without relying on hardware-based identifiers like IMEI.
How is it generated?
The generation of Android device ID is created using random elements. On the first boot, Android creates the ID using a pseudo-random algorithm. The value is then bound to the device’s OS installation.
- First boot: The Android OS generates the ID.
- Persistence: It maintains stability across app reinstalls and reboots.
- Regeneration: If a device has been factory reset, or when the system is re-flashed, a new persistent Android ID is created.
This behavior is much needed for developers and IT teams to understand, especially when evaluating Android ID for tracking purposes.
Where is it stored and accessed?
The Android ID is stored within the device’s secure settings database and can be retrieved using the Settings.Secure API. Developers usually access this identifier to get Android ID programmatically, and to make sure that the process is both standard and secure.
Here’s a common example:
Java
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import android.content.Context; import android.provider.Settings; import androidx.annotation.NonNull; import androidx.annotation.Nullable; import java.util.UUID; // Added for generating fallback UUID public class DeviceUtils { /** * Returns the app-scoped Android ID for this device. * * Note: ANDROID_ID is unique per app-signing key and user profile. * It may change after a factory reset or app reinstallation, and is NOT suitable * for tracking users across different apps (use Instance IDs or custom UUIDs if needed). * * @param context The application or activity context. * @return The Android ID, or a newly generated UUID if ANDROID_ID is null (which is rare on real devices). */ @NonNull // Changed to NonNull because it will always return a string now public static String getAndroidId(@NonNull Context context) { String androidId = Settings.Secure.getString( context.getContentResolver(), Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID ); // Fallback to a generated UUID if Android ID is null (e.g., in some emulators or edge cases). // Returning a UUID makes the fallback useful as a unique identifier for that specific app instance. return androidId != null && !androidId.isEmpty() ? androidId : UUID.randomUUID().toString(); } } |
Kotlin
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import android.annotation.SuppressLint import android.content.Context import android.provider.Settings import java.util.UUID // Added for generating fallback UUID /** * Returns the app-scoped Android ID for this device. * * Note: ANDROID_ID is unique per app-signing key and user profile. * It may change after a factory reset or app reinstallation, and is NOT suitable * for tracking users across different apps (use Instance IDs or custom UUIDs if needed). * * @param context The application or activity context. * @return The Android ID, or a newly generated UUID if ANDROID_ID is null or empty. */ @SuppressLint("HardwareIds") // Suppress lint warning for using hardware identifiers fun getAndroidId(context: Context): String { // Return type changed to non-nullable String val androidId = Settings.Secure.getString( context.contentResolver, Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID ) // Fallback to a generated UUID if Android ID is null or empty. // Returning a UUID makes the fallback useful as a unique identifier for that specific app instance. return if (androidId.isNullOrEmpty()) { UUID.randomUUID().toString() } else { androidId } } |
These APIs make retrieving the Android device ID straightforward for both app developers and enterprise mobility tools.
Behavior across Android versions
The way Android ID behaves has substantially grown across Android versions, majorly due to Google’s focus on user privacy and data security. Understanding the differences is critical for developers and IT teams who manage enterprise devices through MDM/UEM platforms.
Changes introduced in Android 8.0+
Starting with Android 8.0 (Oreo), the Android device ID was reinvented to level up security and reduce the risk of device fingerprinting.
- Scoped per app + per user: Each application now receives a unique Android device ID that is scoped not just to the device but also to the specific user profile.
- No global identifier: This means two different apps on the same device will no longer share the same Android ID.
- Security rationale: By isolating identifiers, Google minimized the chances of cross-app tracking, aligning with modern privacy practices.
Behavior in Android 10, 11, and 12+
From Android 10 forth, privacy controls became even more strict:
- Scoped persistence: The persistent Android ID now remains consistent only for the same app installed under the same user profile on a given device.
- Uninstall behavior: If the app is uninstalled and reinstalled, the Android ID is regenerated.
- System-wide uniqueness deprecated: Unlike older versions, there’s no longer a single device-wide ID shared across apps.
In Android 11+, Google doubled down on this model by enforcing restrictions that ensured the Android ID could not be used as a stable hardware-equivalent identifier, especially in multi-user or enterprise contexts.
When Android ID changes
While the Android ID is designed to be persistent under normal conditions, several scenarios force regeneration:
- Factory reset: Wipes the OS installation, creating a new ID.
- Different users on the same device: Each user profile receives a separate Android ID, reinforcing isolation.
- App uninstall/reinstall:
- Before Android 8.0: Reinstalling an app often resulted in a new ID.
- Android 8.0 and above: Scoped to app + user, but still regenerates on reinstall for privacy.
Android ID across versions
Android ID vs other device identifiers
It’s important to know the difference between the Android ID from other device identifiers such as IMEI, Serial Number, and Advertising ID. Each of these has a different purpose, carries different privacy implications, and comes with its own set of access restrictions.
Android ID vs IMEI
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), a hardware-tied identifier embedded at the modem level of mobile devices identifies a physical device across networks uniquely. To access IMEI, The READ_PHONE_STATE permission is required, making it stricter user consent and privacy regulations.
On the contrary, the Android ID is a software-generated during the device’s first boot and scoped by app and user in modern Android versions. It can be accessed programmatically through Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID without telephony privileges. This makes it more accessible in environments where IMEI collection is not possible.
Android ID vs Serial Number
The Serial Number is a manufacturer-defined, hardware-level identifier typically etched into the device. It was trusted for device-level identification, but with Android releases of today, access to the serial number is increasingly restricted.
On Android 10+, direct access to the serial number is limited to system apps and privileged device management solutions.
The Android device ID, however, is consistently accessible across the application layer, making it a safer and more predictable choice for developers and enterprise MDM platforms.
Android ID vs Advertising ID
The Advertising ID (Ad ID) is a Google Play Services-based identifier designed specifically for advertising and analytics. It is user-resettable from device settings and can also be disabled completely by the user. Its primary use is ad personalization and tracking across apps.
The Android ID is non-resettable and is made for system-level and app-level use. It provides a more stable and persistent identifier, which is particularly important in enterprise and MDM contexts.
Comparison Chart: Android ID vs Other Identifiers
Use cases of Android ID
The Android ID serves as a versatile identifier from app-level personalization to large-scale enterprise mobility management. Its persistence (with limitations) and accessibility make it a practical choice for developers and IT admins who need to identify devices in a controlled manner.
App personalization and device identification
Developers often bridge settings, preferences, or cached data to a specific Android ID, ensuring that the user experience remains consistent across sessions.
For example, a media app can use the Android device ID to associate playback preferences or app themes with the device, making the app remember user configurations without requiring a login.
Analytics and telemetry
In analytics, Android ID can be used as an anonymous device identifier for tracking telemetry. Since it is scoped per app, analytics platforms can use it to measure device-level metrics like engagement statistics, or feature adoption without linking to personally identifiable information.
Licensing and digital rights management
Apps that enforce subscription-based access or media playback restrictions can bind licenses to the persistent Android ID of a device.
- Licensing: Prevents license abuse by ensuring that purchased content is accessible only from the registered device.
- DRM: Securely ties digital content to a device, helping reduce unauthorized sharing or duplication.
Enterprise Mobility and MDM/UEM use
Android ID in enterprise environments is used for MDM or UEM platforms and plays a central role in large-scale deployments:
- Device registration: UEM platforms like Hexnode, use the Android ID to register devices into the enterprise system, especially in BYOD or kiosk deployments.
- Provisioning at scale: The identifier allows administrators to apply bulk policies across thousands of endpoints while maintaining per-device control.
- Security enforcement: IT teams can lock down access or enforce restrictions based on the Android ID, ensuring that only authorized devices can access corporate resources.
- Non-kiosk devices: For enterprises deploying non-Google Mobile Services (non-GMS) devices or dedicated kiosk setups, the Android ID provides a stable identifier when IMEI or serial numbers are unavailable or restricted.
Privacy, security and limitations
Android ID is widely used for app development and device management, but it comes with important warnings for uniqueness, persistence, and privacy.
Is Android ID truly unique and persistent?
The Android ID is not guaranteed to be unique across all contexts worldwide.
- Factory reset: A new Android ID is generated after a reset.
- Multi-user devices: Each user profile gets its own Android ID.
- Post-Android 8.0: IDs are scoped to app + user, meaning two apps on the same device won’t share the same value.
Privacy implications
Google designed the modern Android device ID model to reinforce user privacy with:
- Scoped identifiers: By restricting IDs to an app-user combination, Android prevents cross-app correlation and fingerprinting.
- Anti-tracking measure: The Android ID cannot be used reliably for cross-app or cross-device tracking, unlike older device identifiers (IMEI, serial numbers).
- Enterprise considerations: For Android ID in MDM/UEM, this means IT admins can use it for app-specific device management, but not for global device fingerprinting.
This change aligns with Android’s broader privacy philosophy, balancing the need for identifiers with the user’s right to data protection.
Permissions and restrictions
One advantage of getting Android ID programmatically is that it does not require a dangerous runtime permission. The newer Android versions (Android 10+), Google classifies Android device ID as a sensitive identifier:
- Play store policy compliance: Apps that misuse Android ID for tracking can face policy violations.
- Scoped usage: Intended for app-level use, not for persistent user/device tracking across apps.
Android ID in enterprise & UEM
For organizations deploying hundreds of Android endpoints, this identifier offers a practical alternative to hardware-bound identifiers such as IMEI or Serial Number, which may not always be available or reliable.
How UEM solutions use Android ID
Most UEM solutions leverage the Android device ID for:
- Device identification and enrollment: When a device first registers with an UEM system, Android ID becomes a unique handle for mapping the device within the enterprise database.
- Profile assignment and policy application: Based on the Android ID, administrators can automatically assign compliance policies, app restrictions, and configurations.
This ensures that IT teams always have a consistent anchor for device management activities.
Benefits in non-GMS or custom Android environments
Key benefits of the persistent Android ID include:
- Custom ROMs and AOSP devices: Ensures consistent device management, even in stripped-down environments.
- Dedicated-use devices: Valuable in warehouse, logistics, or frontline deployments where durability-focused devices may not be present.
- Kiosk and shared device use: Android ID offers a consistent way to track devices configured in kiosk or shared modes.
Hexnode and Android ID
Hexnode UEM directly uses Android ID to optimize device management and monitoring, making it highly effective for both GMS-enabled and non-GMS devices.
- Mapping Android ID to devices: Each enrolled device’s Android ID is tied to its entry and so IT admins can view and manage devices consistently.
- Policy application and restrictions: Admins can apply policies or restrictions based on the Android ID.
- Support for devices without GMS or telephony: Critical for enterprises running custom Android builds, or specialized hardware where IMEI and Serial may not be accessible.
- Tracking kiosk devices: Enables monitoring, compliance enforcement, and session tracking across dedicated single-use devices.
- Integration and export: Hexnode’s ability to export device lists supports external audits, inventory management, and third-party integrations.
By using Android device ID as its base, Hexnode ensures that the IT teams can maintain consistency, security, and control, regardless of the device type, OS, or GMS availability.
Stay up to date with key insights from our experts
Watch a DemoFAQs
1. Is Android ID unique to each device?
Yes, but its only unique with scope. It’s unique per app and per user profile on a device are not globally unique across all apps.
2. Can Android ID be changed?
It changes if the device is factory reset, if a new user profile is created, or if an app is uninstalled and reinstalled.
3. How to retrieve Android ID in code?
To retrieve the Android ID in code (java):
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String androidId = Settings.Secure.getString(context.getContentResolver(), Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID); |
4. Is Android ID same as device ID?
No. Android ID is software-generated, while “device ID” often refers to hardware identifiers like IMEI or Serial.
5. Is it safe to use Android ID in production apps?
Yes, but only for app-scoped identification. For sensitive tracking, Google recommends alternatives like Firebase Installation IDs.
6. Can Hexnode use Android ID for management?
Yes. Hexnode maps Android ID to devices for enrollment, policy assignment, and kiosk mode management.
7. Can Hexnode identify devices without an IMEI?
Yes. Hexnode can use Android ID to uniquely manage non-telephony devices, custom ROMs, and rugged endpoints.
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