How to find your Android Advertising ID (GAID) and register a test device
If you work on an Android app with ads, sooner or later someone asks you for your "advertising ID", "GAID" or "AAID". This short guide shows where to find it and how to use it to register a test device, so you can see test ads safely and keep your own clicks out of real traffic. What is the Advertising ID? The Android Advertising ID (GAID, also called AAID or Ad ID) is a resettable identifier…
When developing Android applications with advertisements, developers often need the Advertising ID, also known as GAID or AAID, to register a test device. This allows them to safely view test ads without affecting real traffic. The Advertising ID is a unique identifier provided by Google Play services, similar to the iOS IDFA. Ad networks and attribution tools utilize this ID to recognize devices and enable marking them as test devices. The Advertising ID can be found in the device's settings or through a dedicated app called GAID.
To locate the ID in the device's settings, go to Settings, then Privacy, and look for Ads. Alternatively, some devices may require navigating to Settings, Google, or Ads. If the Delete advertising ID or Opt out of Ads Personalization options are activated, the test device registration will not work, so these settings should be disabled first.
For quick access to the Advertising ID, an app like GAID can be used. This app displays the ID, allows copying or sharing, and warns users when a zeroed ID is detected. To register a device as a test device, the advertising ID must be entered in the respective ad network or attribution dashboard. For instance, in AdMob, settings must be accessed through the AdMob console, and the test device needs to be added using the advertising ID.
Similar procedures apply to other platforms like AppLovin MAX, Unity Ads, and attribution tools like AppsFlyer or Adjust. It is essential to note that AdMob's in-code test device setting uses a hashed ID, not the raw advertising ID.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
