Android: How to programmatically access the device serial number shown in the AVD manager (API Version 8)

android serial-number

Heshan Perera · Jun 14, 2012 · Viewed 109.4k times · Source

How do I programmatically access the value shown in the image below ?

enter image description here

Answer

This is the hardware serial number. To access it on

Android Q (>= SDK 29) android.Manifest.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE is required. Only system apps can require this permission. If the calling package is the device or profile owner then the READ_PHONE_STATE permission suffices.
Android 8 and later (>= SDK 26) use android.os.Build.getSerial() which requires the dangerous permission READ_PHONE_STATE. Using android.os.Build.SERIAL returns android.os.Build.UNKNOWN.
Android 7.1 and earlier (<= SDK 25) and earlier android.os.Build.SERIAL does return a valid serial.

It's unique for any device. If you are looking for possibilities on how to get/use a unique device id you should read here.

For a solution involving reflection without requiring a permission see this answer.