How to get a unique device ID in Swift?

Question

How can I get a devices unique ID in Swift?

I need an ID to use in the database and as the API-key for my web service in my social app. Something to keep track of this devices daily use and limit its queries to the database.

Thanks!

Answer 1

You can use this (Swift 3):

UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor!.uuidString

For older versions:

UIDevice.currentDevice().identifierForVendor

or if you want a string:

UIDevice.currentDevice().identifierForVendor!.UUIDString

There is no longer a way to uniquely identify a device after the user uninstalled the app(s). The documentation says:

The value in this property remains the same while the app (or another app from the same vendor) is installed on the iOS device. The value changes when the user deletes all of that vendor’s apps from the device and subsequently reinstalls one or more of them.

You may also want to read this article by Mattt Thompson for more details:
http://nshipster.com/uuid-udid-unique-identifier/

Update for Swift 4.1, you will need to use:

UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor?.uuidString

Answer 2

You can use identifierForVendor public property present in UIDevice class

let UUIDValue = UIDevice.currentDevice().identifierForVendor!.UUIDString
        print("UUID: \(UUIDValue)")

EDIT Swift 3:

UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor!.uuidString

END EDIT

Answer 3

For Swift 3.X Latest Working Code, Easily usage;

   let deviceID = UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor!.uuidString
   print(deviceID)

Answer 4

You can use devicecheck (in Swift 4) Apple documentation

func sendEphemeralToken() {
        //check if DCDevice is available (iOS 11)

        //get the **ephemeral** token
        DCDevice.current.generateToken {
        (data, error) in
        guard let data = data else {
            return
        }

        //send **ephemeral** token to server to 
        let token = data.base64EncodedString()
        //Alamofire.request("https://myServer/deviceToken" ...
    }
}

Typical usage:

Typically, you use the DeviceCheck APIs to ensure that a new user has not already redeemed an offer under a different user name on the same device.

Server action needs:

See WWDC 2017 — Session 702 

more from Santosh Botre article - Unique Identifier for the iOS Devices

Your associated server combines this token with an authentication key that you receive from Apple and uses the result to request access to the per-device bits.

Answer 5

Swift 2.2

func application(application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [NSObject: AnyObject]?) -> Bool {

    let userDefaults = NSUserDefaults.standardUserDefaults()

    if userDefaults.objectForKey("ApplicationIdentifier") == nil {
        let UUID = NSUUID().UUIDString
        userDefaults.setObject(UUID, forKey: "ApplicationIdentifier")
        userDefaults.synchronize()
    }
    return true
}

//Retrieve
print(NSUserDefaults.standardUserDefaults().valueForKey("ApplicationIdentifier")!)

Answer 6

class func uuid(completionHandler: @escaping (String) -> ()) {
    if let uuid = UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor?.uuidString {
        completionHandler(uuid)
    }
    else {
        // If the value is nil, wait and get the value again later. This happens, for example, after the device has been restarted but before the user has unlocked the device.
        // https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uidevice/1620059-identifierforvendor?language=objc
        DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 1.0) {
            uuid(completionHandler: completionHandler)
        }
    }
}

Answer 7

I've tried with

let UUID = UIDevice.currentDevice().identifierForVendor?.UUIDString

instead

let UUID = NSUUID().UUIDString

and it works.