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Third party Android apps cannot read the IMEI number. Source: https://developer.android.com/about/versions/10/privacy/changes https://developer.android.com/abo

Third party Android apps cannot read the IMEI number. Source: https://developer.android.com/about/versions/10/privacy/changes https://developer.android.com/about/versions/10/privacy/chan...

rootsudo 4y ago
Third party android apps used to be able too 100%, it's a very callable action. TelephonyManager tm = (TelephonyManager) getSystemService(Context.TELEPHONY_SERVICE);
tpmx 4y ago
Since Android 10, released in 2019.
- jeroenhd 4y ago
  … which means that apps that are working on any kind of modern device can't rely on this behaviour, and thus can't generate passwords or other account critical secrets using this method. Apps written for modern Android phones can't use the IMEI for any legitimate purposes anymore, unless the device is rooted or the IMEI is exposed in some other unofficial way.
  - tpmx 4y ago
    https://www.androidpolice.com/googles-latest-android-version-distribution-numbers-show-11-in-dead-heat-with-10/ https://www.androidpolice.com/googles-latest-android-version... hints that ~49% of Android devices will give out the IMEI to third-party apps. [late 2021]
    - jeroenhd 4y ago
      That's still a majority of devices where you can't assume that the IMEI is available. I'd argue processing the IMEI for legitimate purposes (i.e. generating device passwords) is not something you should rely on and instead you should come up with a solution that works in both cases. It still works fine if your intent is to stalk users, though.
      - tpmx 4y ago
        > That's still a majority of devices where you can't assume that the IMEI is available. 51%. Super strong argument there.¨
        deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
        sofixa 4y ago
        If an app can't use a certain logic for half of its install base, and needs a separate flow anyways, why would it bother with having two?
tinus_hn 4y ago
Neither can iOS apps see identifiers like MAC addresses.
- dutchbrit 4y ago
  Glad to read that they removed this in iOS 11

Third party Android apps cannot read the IMEI number. Source: https://developer.android.com/about/versions/10/privacy/changes https://developer.android.com/about/versions/10/privacy/chan...

rootsudo 4y ago

Third party android apps used to be able too 100%, it's a very callable action. TelephonyManager tm = (TelephonyManager) getSystemService(Context.TELEPHONY_SERVICE);

tpmx 4y ago

Since Android 10, released in 2019.

jeroenhd 4y ago
… which means that apps that are working on any kind of modern device can't rely on this behaviour, and thus can't generate passwords or other account critical secrets using this method. Apps written for modern Android phones can't use the IMEI for any legitimate purposes anymore, unless the device is rooted or the IMEI is exposed in some other unofficial way.
- tpmx 4y ago
  https://www.androidpolice.com/googles-latest-android-version-distribution-numbers-show-11-in-dead-heat-with-10/ https://www.androidpolice.com/googles-latest-android-version... hints that ~49% of Android devices will give out the IMEI to third-party apps. [late 2021]
  - jeroenhd 4y ago
    That's still a majority of devices where you can't assume that the IMEI is available. I'd argue processing the IMEI for legitimate purposes (i.e. generating device passwords) is not something you should rely on and instead you should come up with a solution that works in both cases. It still works fine if your intent is to stalk users, though.
    - tpmx 4y ago
      > That's still a majority of devices where you can't assume that the IMEI is available. 51%. Super strong argument there.¨
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
      - sofixa 4y ago
        If an app can't use a certain logic for half of its install base, and needs a separate flow anyways, why would it bother with having two?

tinus_hn 4y ago

Neither can iOS apps see identifiers like MAC addresses.

dutchbrit 4y ago
Glad to read that they removed this in iOS 11