http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2011/03/identifying-app-installations.html This link suggests and advises identifying accounts, not specific devices.
However, sometimes you can't get around it. E.g. if you have an app that publishes digital content under DRM, you usually have to be able to identify individual devices. This is what we do at my company: 1. First, try to read one that you have saved in the last step of this procedure. If found, return this one. 2. Read the telephony id. This will work for every phone and tablet with a SIM card and such. Since most Android devices that have Android 2.3 or lower are phones, you have covered a big chunk of your install base. If available, use this one. Save it somewhere for point (1.) 3. Read the Serial number (android.osb.Build.SERIAL) This one is only available on 2.3x devices and higher. This means you'd have to use java reflection to get at it if your app must run on Android 2.2 or lower. If available, use this one. Save it somewhere for point (1.) 4. Now you have covered a laaarge chunk of your install-base. 100% of all devices running 2.3x and higher. The only devices that are still can be problematic are Android 2.2. (or lower) devices that are WiFi only: 5. Read the MAC address of the device Since the device is WiFi only, it is their only way to get a data-connection and they just downloaded your app: It is likely that the WiFi is enabled and querying the MAC address very likely succeeds. If available, use this one. Save it somewhere for point (1.) 6. If everything else fails, generate a Random number/string and use this as your unique-id. Save it somewhere for point (1.) I think this will cover 99.9999% of your install base. However, it is not full-proof. This means that you'd have to design a way to allow the users to reset their device-id on your servers, either through some online form or through customer service. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
