How to Retrieve a Unique Android Device Identifier Using ADB and Android SDK

How to Retrieve a Unique Android Device Identifier Using ADB and Android SDK

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Identifying a unique Android device identifier can be crucial for various development and testing purposes. While the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) offers a straightforward method to retrieve device serial numbers, developers might need alternative identifiers accessible via both ADB and the Android SDK. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the most effective methods to obtain such identifiers without requiring root access.

Using ANDROID_ID

The ANDROID_ID is a unique identifier generated for each Android device upon first boot. It remains constant throughout the device’s lifetime, making it a reliable choice for identification purposes.

  • Via ADB Shell: You can retrieve the ANDROID_ID using the following command:
    adb shell settings get secure android_id
  • Using Content Provider: Another method is querying the settings content provider:
    adb shell content query --uri content://settings/secure --projection value

Note: While ANDROID_ID is a reliable identifier, certain privacy policies in newer Android versions may influence its consistency.

Retrieving Device Serial Number

For developers seeking a quick method to identify connected devices, the serial number can be obtained using ADB commands:

  • List Devices: To view all connected devices and their serial numbers, use:
    adb devices -l
  • Device Properties: To get specific device properties including the serial number, execute:
    adb shell getprop ro.serialno

Advanced Techniques

For more detailed device information, accessing SQLite databases on the device might be required. However, this approach often necessitates root permissions, which are not always feasible. Developers looking to explore this option can refer to our advanced configuration documentation.

Enhancing Testing Efficiency with Repeato

For Android developers and testers, efficiently managing device identifiers is crucial for automated testing. Repeato, our no-code test automation tool, simplifies this process by integrating ADB functionalities directly. With Repeato, you can execute ADB commands seamlessly through “script steps,” allowing precise control over testing sequences. Learn more about optimizing your testing workflow with Repeato by visiting our Android testing tool page.

By utilizing the methods outlined above, developers can efficiently retrieve and manage Android device identifiers, enhancing both development and testing processes.

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