Expo get unique device id without ejecting

Question

This library allows you to get unique device id / Mac address of Android devices, which doesn't change after reinstallation.

Expo.Constants.deviceId changes after every reinstallation (even if the app version number is the same).

Is there a way to get an unique id for Android that doesn't change after reinstallation (at least for if it's the same version), without ejecting?

Answer 1

For Expo IOS theres currently very limited options, Since Apple forbids getting private device info. We will need to create our own unique identifier below.

My solution is a combination of uuid and Expo SecureStore works for IOS and Android.

import * as SecureStore from 'expo-secure-store';
import 'react-native-get-random-values';
import { v4 as uuidv4 } from 'uuid';


let uuid = uuidv4();
await SecureStore.setItemAsync('secure_deviceid', JSON.stringify(uuid));
let fetchUUID = await SecureStore.getItemAsync('secure_deviceid');
console.log(fetchUUID)

This solution will work even if app gets reinstalled, or if user switches devices and copy's all data to new device. (Expo.Constants.deviceId is deprecated and will be removed in SDK 44)

Answer 2

Use Application.androidId from expo-application. Id will not change after reinstall or update. The value may change if a factory reset is performed on the device or if an APK signing key changes. https://docs.expo.dev/versions/latest/sdk/application/#applicationandroidid

Example:

import * as Application from 'expo-application';
import { Platform } from 'expo-modules-core';
import * as SecureStore from 'expo-secure-store';
import Constants from 'expo-constants';

const getDeviceId = async () => {
  if (Platform.OS === 'android') {
    return Application.androidId;
  } else {
    let deviceId = await SecureStore.getItemAsync('deviceId');

    if (!deviceId) {
      deviceId = Constants.deviceId; //or generate uuid
      await SecureStore.setItemAsync('deviceId', deviceId);
    }

    return deviceId;
  }
}