You probably think your Discord ID is that name people see in chats. It’s not. Most people confuse their display name or their username with their actual, unique Snowflake ID. If you’ve ever tried to set up a bot, report a harasser to Discord’s Trust and Safety team, or link your account to a third-party gaming service, you’ve likely realized that "ShadowSlayer69" isn't the information they're looking for.
Discord runs on a system of unique 18-digit numbers. These are static. While you can change your username every other week, this number stays the same from the second you create your account until the day you hit delete. But here is the kicker: Discord hides this number by default. They don't want the average user accidentally breaking things or getting confused by a string of digits that looks like a credit card number.
To see it, you have to break into the "developer" side of the app. Don't worry, you don't need to know how to code. You just have to know which toggle to flip.
How to Check Your Discord ID Using Developer Mode
First things first. You cannot find your ID—or anyone else's ID—unless you enable Developer Mode. This is the hurdle that trips everyone up.
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If you are on a desktop (Windows, Mac, or Linux), open your User Settings. It’s that little gear icon down by your name. Scroll down the left-hand sidebar until you see "Advanced." It’s usually tucked away near the bottom of the App Settings section. Once you click that, you’ll see a toggle for Developer Mode. Flip it on. You won't see fireworks or a terminal window pop up. Honestly, it looks like nothing happened.
But now, the magic trick.
Click your profile picture in the bottom left. Look at the menu that pops up. See that new option at the very bottom? Copy User ID. That’s it. That’s your 18-digit Snowflake.
Why is it called a Snowflake?
Discord didn't just pick a random name for their ID system because they like winter. They use a specific format originally created by Twitter called Snowflake IDs. These IDs are "roughly sortable," meaning they contain a timestamp. If you have the technical chops to decode an ID, you can actually figure out exactly down to the millisecond when an account was created. This is why your ID is so much more valuable than a username; it’s a permanent piece of digital history.
Getting Your ID on Mobile (iOS and Android)
Doing this on a phone is a bit more of a headache. The menus aren't in the same place, and the UI changes every few months when Discord decides to "refresh" the look of the app.
- Tap your profile icon (the "You" tab) in the bottom right corner.
- Hit the gear icon in the top right.
- Scroll down. Keep scrolling. You're looking for the App Settings section.
- Tap Advanced.
- Toggle Developer Mode to the right.
Now, to actually get the ID, you have to go to your profile. Tap your avatar, hit the three dots (...) in the top right corner, and select "Copy User ID." If you’re trying to get a friend’s ID, you just tap their profile, hit those same three dots, and the option will be right there.
Checking IDs for Servers, Channels, and Messages
It isn't just users who have IDs. Everything on Discord is an object with its own numerical footprint. If you’re a server admin, you might need the Server ID (often called a Guild ID) to set up a raffle bot or a moderation tool like MEE6 or Dyno.
To get a Server ID, right-click the server icon in your sidebar. At the bottom of the list: Copy Server ID.
Channels? Same thing. Right-click the channel name (like #general) and copy the ID.
Messages are the most specific. If someone says something that breaks the law or Discord’s TOS, you shouldn’t just take a screenshot. Screenshots can be faked with "Inspect Element" in five seconds. Discord’s support team usually requires the Message ID. To get this, hover over the message, click the three dots on the far right, and select "Copy Message ID." This allows Discord to look at their own internal databases to verify the message actually exists.
Common Pitfalls and Why You Can't Find the Toggle
Sometimes, people go looking for Developer Mode and it’s just... gone.
If you’re using Discord in a web browser like Chrome or Safari, it should be there. However, if you are on a heavily restricted school or work network, sometimes certain settings menus get wonky. Always make sure your app is updated. If you’re on an old version of the mobile app from two years ago, Developer Mode might be under "Appearance" or "Behavior" instead of "Advanced." Discord loves moving furniture around.
Another common mistake is trying to use the "Identify" command with a bot. While some bots like Dank Memer or various utility bots have a /user-info command, these aren't always reliable if the bot is lagging. Doing it manually through the Developer Mode toggle is the only way to be 100% sure you aren't getting cached data.
Privacy Concerns: Is it safe to share your ID?
Briefly: Yes.
Sharing your Discord ID is not like sharing your password or your home address. It’s public-facing data. Anyone who is in a server with you can technically get your ID if they have Developer Mode on. You aren't "leaking" anything dangerous. However, having your ID makes it easier for people to find you if you change your username. If you’re trying to go "ghost mode" and escape someone, changing your username won't help if they have your ID, because they can always use a bot or a lookup tool to find your new handle.
Taking Action with Your ID
Once you have that string of numbers, what do you actually do with it?
If you are a developer, you’re likely headed to the Discord Developer Portal to register an application. If you’re a regular gamer, you might be pasting that ID into a whitelist for a Minecraft or FiveM server.
Pro Tip: Keep a "Notes" channel in a private server or a notepad file on your desktop with your ID. It saves you from having to dig through settings every time a web form asks for your Discord credentials.
The most important takeaway is that Developer Mode must stay on. There is almost no reason to turn it off once you've enabled it. It doesn't slow down your app, and it doesn't expose you to hackers. It just gives you the right-click power you should have had from the beginning.
If you ever find yourself in a position where you need to report a serious issue to Discord, remember that the ID is your "evidence." Without it, the support team is basically flying blind. Grab the User ID, the Server ID, and the Message ID. That is the "holy trinity" of Discord reporting.
Now that you've got Developer Mode enabled, go ahead and right-click your own name. Copy that ID and save it somewhere. You’ve just unlocked the "behind-the-scenes" version of the app.