You’re probably here because an app developer just asked you for a string of forty random-looking characters. Or maybe you're trying to register a test device for a beta program like TestFlight and realized Apple doesn't make this easy anymore. Finding out how to get iPhone UDID from phone used to be a one-click affair. Now? It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt through menus and desktop apps.
The UDID—or Unique Device Identifier—is essentially your iPhone’s social security number. It is hardcoded into the hardware. Unlike the IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers) which you can reset to dodge trackers, the UDID is permanent. It’s a physical reality of the silicon inside your pocket.
Let’s get one thing straight: you cannot find the UDID in the "About" section of your Settings app. You’ll find the Serial Number, the IMEI, and the Model Number there, but Apple hides the UDID. Why? Privacy. They don't want every random app on the App Store harvesting a permanent hardware ID.
Why the "Old Ways" Are Dead
A few years ago, you could just download a "UDID Finder" app from the App Store. Those apps are mostly gone or broken now. Apple strictly forbids apps from programmatically accessing the UDID. If an app tries to call that specific API, it gets rejected from the store faster than a fake Rolex.
If you see a website promising to find your UDID by having you install a "Profile," be careful. It works, but you're handing over a level of system access to a third party. Use it only if you trust the source.
The Mac Method: The Most Reliable Path
If you have a Mac, this is the cleanest way. No third-party junk. No shady profiles. Just a cable and a few clicks.
First, plug your iPhone into your Mac using a lightning or USB-C cable. Open a Finder window. You’ll see your iPhone listed in the sidebar under "Locations." Click it. You’ll see the standard management screen—the one where you handle backups and software updates.
Look at the top of the window, right under your iPhone's name. You’ll see the model (like iPhone 15 Pro) and the storage capacity. Click that text. It feels like a hidden Easter egg. When you click that specific area, the info toggles. It will cycle through your Serial Number, IMEI, and eventually, your UDID. Once it appears, just right-click it to copy. Done.
Using Apple Configurator
For the pros or people managing a fleet of devices, Apple Configurator (available for free on the Mac App Store) is the gold standard.
- Launch the app.
- Plug in the phone.
- Double-click the image of your device.
- Select "Status" in the sidebar.
The UDID is right there, staring back at you. It’s more clinical than the Finder method, but it never fails.
How to Get iPhone UDID From Phone Without a Mac
Maybe you’re on a PC. Or maybe you’re at a coffee shop and only have the phone in your hand. This is where things get a bit "workaroundy."
The Mobile Safari Profile Method
This is the only way to do it entirely on the device itself. Sites like ShowMyUDID or get.udid.io use a specific iOS feature called "Profile Service."
When you hit the button on these sites, your iPhone will download a configuration profile. You’ll have to go to Settings > Profile Downloaded and hit Install. What this does is grant the website temporary permission to read your device registry—specifically the UniqueDeviceID key.
Once the profile installs, it kicks you back to the browser, and there’s your UDID.
Wait, is this safe? Mostly. These profiles are usually "unsigned," meaning Apple hasn't verified the developer. However, the payload is typically just a request for device attributes. Once you copy the UDID, go back into Settings and delete the profile. Don't leave random configuration profiles sitting on your phone. It’s bad digital hygiene.
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The Windows / iTunes Approach
If you’re on Windows, you probably still have iTunes installed, or perhaps the newer "Apple Devices" app.
Connect the phone. Click the "Summary" tab (the little phone icon). Much like the Finder method on Mac, the UDID isn't visible by default. You have to click on the Serial Number label. Click it once, and it switches to your UUID/UDID.
If you're using the newer Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store, the process is identical. Click the device info area until the 40-character hex string appears.
The "Secret" Xcode Method for Developers
If you're a developer, you probably already have Xcode open. Why mess with Finder?
Open Xcode and go to Window > Devices and Simulators. If your phone is plugged in (or even connected via Wi-Fi if you’ve enabled that), it shows up in the left sidebar. The UDID is listed clearly as "Identifier."
The beauty of this method is that it also shows you the "ECID." Sometimes, if you're doing deep-level troubleshooting or jailbreaking (is that still a thing in 2026? Barely.), you need the ECID alongside the UDID. Xcode gives you the whole kitchen sink.
UDID vs. UUID: Don't Mix Them Up
Here is where people get tripped up. You might see something called a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier).
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In the context of an iPhone, there's a "Device UUID" and a "Hardware UDID."
- UDID: The 40-character string unique to the physical board.
- UUID: Often refers to a specific software installation or an app-specific identifier.
If a developer asks for a UDID to add you to a "Provisioning Profile," a UUID will not work. The UDID is what tells Apple's servers, "This specific piece of aluminum and glass is allowed to run unverified code." If you provide the wrong one, the app will just crash on launch with a "provisioning" error.
A Note on the iPhone 15 and Newer
With the switch to USB-C, some older cables or cheap "charging only" cables might not carry data correctly to your Mac or PC. If your phone isn't showing up in Finder or iTunes, it's almost always the cable. Use the braided one that came in the box.
Also, on newer versions of iOS, you'll get a "Trust This Computer?" prompt. If you don't hit Trust and enter your passcode, the computer can't "handshake" with the phone to pull the UDID. It’ll just stay hidden behind the encryption curtain.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
Sometimes the phone just won't talk. It happens.
If you're trying to figure out how to get iPhone UDID from phone and the device isn't appearing in your list:
- Check the Lightning/USB-C port for lint. Seriously. A tiny bit of pocket fuzz can prevent a data connection while still allowing the phone to charge.
- Restart the "USBMuxD" service if you're on a Mac (you can do this via Activity Monitor).
- If you're on Windows, ensure the "Apple Mobile Device Support" driver is actually running. Sometimes a Windows Update kills it.
What about the "About" menu again?
I've seen some "gurus" claim you can find it in the diagnostics logs. Technically, if you go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data, you can dig through the "log-aggregated" files.
It’s a nightmare. You’re looking through thousands of lines of JSON-like code. It’s not worth the headache when the Finder/iTunes click-method exists.
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Moving Forward: Protecting Your ID
Once you have your UDID, treat it with a little bit of respect. While someone can't "hack" your phone just by knowing your UDID, they can use it to track your device across different apps if they have their own database.
Only give your UDID to trusted developers or reputable beta-testing platforms.
Next Steps for You:
- Grab a physical cable. Wireless methods are flaky for hardware IDs.
- Use the Finder/iTunes method first. It is the only "official" way that doesn't involve installing third-party certificates.
- Copy-paste, don't type. One typo in a 40-character hex string makes the ID useless.
- Delete any profiles. If you used a website to find the ID, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and remove that profile immediately.
The UDID is a relic of a less-private era of iOS, but for developers and power users, it remains a vital key to the ecosystem. Whether you're testing the latest indie game or deploying an enterprise app, knowing how to pull this ID quickly is a core iOS skill.