What is an Android ID, and why is it important?

[Dungeon47]

I've searched around, but haven't found a straight answer; maybe I just missed it. Can anyone give me a simple answer on what an Android ID is, is used for, and why it is important?

Any information is appreciated.

 

[koreancanuck]

I've searched around, but haven't found a straight answer; maybe I just missed it. Can anyone give me a simple answer on what an Android ID is, is used for, and why it is important?

Any information is appreciated.

Here is my understanding and someone correct me if I am wrong.

Android ID is an unique ID to each device. It is used to identify your device for market downloads, specific gaming applications that needs to identify your device (so that they know it's a device that was used to pay for the application) and such. The importance comes when we use leaked 2.2 ROMs which is pretty much every ROM right now out there for the captivate. The leaked 2.2 ROMs (at least for some ROMs) have a bug where every device that flashes the ROM has the same android ID. This results in having to try to re-download a market app over and over again and failure to register to play the game you bought.

In order to fix it, a random android id generator has been implemented on many ROMs at boot so that every device that is flashed gets a different ID. Also, you can go back to JF6 (stock 2.1) and check your android ID by downloading "Android ID changer" from the market. Once you write down your android ID, you can download the same app in 2.2 and change your android ID that you've written down.

 

[Dungeon47]

That makes sense. So it seems that if I can download apps from market okay, I'll be fine until my next flash (I'm a junkie, I'll admit it). I'll make sure to pull my ID next time. Thank you for your help.

 

[koreancanuck]

That makes sense. So it seems that if I can download apps from market okay, I'll be fine until my next flash (I'm a junkie, I'll admit it). I'll make sure to pull my ID next time. Thank you for your help.

No problem.

 

[cwgannon]

So, might it be that there's a boatload of people using the same ID to access the market? And the market only allows x number of connections per ID?

Hence, when I retry enough that my app finally does install, it's not random at all; it's because there are less people using that same ID at that moment in time?

Confirm or deny anybody?

 

[koreancanuck]

So, might it be that there's a boatload of people using the same ID to access the market? And the market only allows x number of connections per ID?

Hence, when I retry enough that my app finally does install, it's not random at all; it's because there are less people using that same ID at that moment in time?

Confirm or deny anybody?

Not sure why we have to retry when we have the same ID because I am, myself, a noob. But yes, that is why you have market problems. You can always fetch your ID from stock 2.1 and change it to your original ID in 2.2 and see if the problem goes away. Also clearing cache from market should help.

 

[deanhatescoffee]

So, might it be that there's a boatload of people using the same ID to access the market? And the market only allows x number of connections per ID?

Hence, when I retry enough that my app finally does install, it's not random at all; it's because there are less people using that same ID at that moment in time?

Confirm or deny anybody?

Sounds reasonable. I'm pretty sure this is why I wasn't able to download Pocket Legends through the Market (i eventually downloaded it from the developer's website).

 

[Miami_Son]

This a why ROM flashing is so off-putting to me. Of all the threads I've read on flashing a ROM for the Captivate, this is the first mention I've seen of this issue with device ID and how it can affect Market access. It's not even in either of the Wikis. I know you seasoned flashing pros think the process is so easy and that we're just babies for having any trepidation, but the info is so fragmented and scattered and the forums are littered with posts from people who are having/had problems related to ROM flashing. I really wish there were just one definitive place with instructions on the process, a list of the benefits and negatives (like this) and links to any and all necessary downloads. A lot to ask? Maybe, but it would probably reduce significantly the number of people having problems or asking questions. Just sayin'.

 

[rurouni572]

I think the Android ID issue isn't being acknowledged enough. It should be one of those warnings in every "things to know before flashing" threads right next to "back up your files to your computer."

 

[koreancanuck]

This a why ROM flashing is so off-putting to me. Of all the threads I've read on flashing a ROM for the Captivate, this is the first mention I've seen of this issue with device ID and how it can affect Market access. It's not even in either of the Wikis. I know you seasoned flashing pros think the process is so easy and that we're just babies for having any trepidation, but the info is so fragmented and scattered and the forums are littered with posts from people who are having/had problems related to ROM flashing. I really wish there were just one definitive place with instructions on the process, a list of the benefits and negatives (like this) and links to any and all necessary downloads. A lot to ask? Maybe, but it would probably reduce significantly the number of people having problems or asking questions. Just sayin'.

I have to agree on this one. I was getting really frustrated with my magic with market problems and it was when I moved onto my captivate that I figured out the android ID issue. I would make one if I had time.. but then again I don't know that much

 

[cwgannon]

This a why ROM flashing is so off-putting to me. Of all the threads I've read on flashing a ROM for the Captivate, this is the first mention I've seen of this issue with device ID and how it can affect Market access. It's not even in either of the Wikis. I know you seasoned flashing pros think the process is so easy and that we're just babies for having any trepidation, but the info is so fragmented and scattered and the forums are littered with posts from people who are having/had problems related to ROM flashing. I really wish there were just one definitive place with instructions on the process, a list of the benefits and negatives (like this) and links to any and all necessary downloads. A lot to ask? Maybe, but it would probably reduce significantly the number of people having problems or asking questions. Just sayin'.

Agreed. I got into the habit of bookmarking every useful tidbit, even copying and pasting the best information (like the answer to this thread) to a local text file, but I do still wish there was a more centralized location.

I must say though, that designgears is pretty good; the Wiki answers a good deal of questions, and not just those exclusive to Cognition. The Wiki's Reference page is here, and it's worth reading through, to be sure.

Edit:
Also, more on topic, I accessed the Market at 4am CST and updated one app and installed another without any delay. Seems there's a lot of us using that same Android ID for the Market at peak times.

 

[FumbleFingers12]

new phone old id

So if I write down my android id and purchase a new phone (bigger faster better) could I import the old id so my apps that I've purchased will run on the new phone or are they going to look for the device id?

 

[BWolf56]

So if I write down my android id and purchase a new phone (bigger faster better) could I import the old id so my apps that I've purchased will run on the new phone or are they going to look for the device id?

Your apps are attached to your Google account, it doesn't matter what device you use, if you connect on the same account, it will download them.