# Device ID details & clarifications

**URL:** <https://forum.getodk.org/t/device-id-details-clarifications/42769>\
**Category:** Support\
**Tags:** form-design\
**Created:** [August 22, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/device-id-details-clarifications/42769 "2023-08-22T19:03:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Saad](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/saad/32/4537_2.png) [@Saad](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Saad)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/device-id-details-clarifications/42769/1 "2023-08-22T19:03:05Z")

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Hi,

In a recent project, we are exploring the current deviceID in more details, so I had to lookup for its basic info and structure from the forum posts, and found this post to be useful ([Collect will need to stop using IMEI as deviceID and making simSerial and subscriberID available](https://forum.getodk.org/t/collect-will-need-to-stop-using-imei-as-deviceid-and-making-simserial-and-subscriberid-available/24157)). Since this thread was a development discussion, I would like to summarize my understanding of the final decision here. Please correct me if something needs syncing:

- Device ID is now a random 16-character alphanumeric word, generated by ODK collect at installation time (only once).
- It is an ODK collect app feature, and not being picked up from anywhere in the phone (OS or firmware or SIM, etc). So we cannot find and/or pick it up via any other outside application, except collect.
- Device ID changes if ODK collect is reinstalled. (Does it? Please confirm...)
- Device ID remains the same for different projects and different forms inside the ODK application. (Yes?)
- Device ID cannot be modified by the user (edit/delete), except the reinstallation of Collect app.

I would be grateful if all of the above could be verified.

Many thanks,  
Saad Omer

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**Author:** ![LN](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/ln/32/1605_2.png) [@LN](https://forum.getodk.org/u/LN)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/device-id-details-clarifications/42769/2 "2023-08-22T23:07:06Z")

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Yes, those are all correct.

> [@Saad](#):
>
> Device ID changes if ODK collect is reinstalled.

One caveat, if Android backups are enabled, it's possible that old data will be restored including an existing deviceid.

> [@Saad](#):
>
> Device ID remains the same for different projects and different forms inside the ODK application.

Yes.

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**Author:** ![Grzesiek2010](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/grzesiek2010/32/2881_2.png) [@Grzesiek2010](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Grzesiek2010)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/device-id-details-clarifications/42769/4 "2023-09-16T17:35:32Z")

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@wroos it's already there [https://docs.getodk.org/form-question-types/#metadata](https://docs.getodk.org/form-question-types/#metadata)

 ![image](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/4/340ba201e44c880e4a3d1f750c11621dde4ba965.png)

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**Author:** ![wroos](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/77aa72/32.png) [@wroos](https://forum.getodk.org/u/wroos)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/device-id-details-clarifications/42769/5 "2023-09-16T22:26:36Z")

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@Grzesiek2010  
Oh sorry, thanks !