How to reset your Advertising ID on Android devices

Martin Brinkmann
Apr 20, 2015
Updated • Oct 11, 2021
Google Android
|
38

The advertising identifier (ID) is a unique anonymous identifier on Android devices that is used for advertising purposes. While there is no option to turn it off, the option to safely reset the advertising ID exists. I do this often to create a different user profile and avoid targeted marketing on my Samsung phone.

App developers (and Google) can use the advertising identifier API to access the ID on user devices; for instance, to identify users and devices for targeted advertising.

It is only used by applications offered on Google Play and is the only allowed persistent identifier for all advertising purposes.

Resetting Advertising ID on Android

Simply follow the steps below to change your Android advertising ID:

1. Open Google Settings on your smartphone by tapping on Menu and then on Google Settings once all apps are displayed on the screen.

Google settings
Android OS Settings icon can be found on the apps home screen

2. Locate and tap on the Ads menu under Services.

Ads menu
Locate the Ads menu to reset your Android ads identifier

3. Tap on Reset advertising ID in the Ads menu.

Your old (current) advertising ID will be displayed
Your old (current) advertising ID will be displayed at the bottom

4. Confirm the replacement when the confirmation prompt is displayed. Your Android ads identifier will be changed.

Once you reset the advertising ID, a new ID is displayed immediately on the same page. Since a new identifier is assigned now, advertisers cannot link past actions anymore to the device.

Reset advertising id
Confirm setting a new ad ID

5. Bonus: Opt-out of interest-based ads as well on the same page.

This tells apps not to use the advertising ID for tracking purposes and to only show regular advertisements but not interest-based ads on the device.

It needs to be noted that older OS versions may not support the advertising ID. App developers may fall back to using other methods such as using the Android ID to track users anonymously.

Opt out interest based ads
Limit ad tracking by opting out of interest-based ads

Critical Information About Tracking IDs on Android

According to Google, apps must check the settings of the Android device and respect them. If interest-based ads are disabled on the device, apps must honor that. Failure to do so is a policy violation.

The content policy page offers additional information on how the advertising ID may be used by companies or developers. It states that companies may not link the advertising identifier to personal identifiable information or persistent device identifiers such as the IMEI or MAC address of the device without explicit consent.

Companies who use the advertising identifier need to disclose this in public privacy notifications.

Summary
How to Reset Advertising ID on Android Devices
Article Name
How to Reset Advertising ID on Android Devices
Description
Reset advertising ID on Android in 4 easy steps: Find out how to change the ads identifier and limit tracking on Android smartphones. Click here.
Author
Publisher
Ghacks Tech News
Logo
Advertisement

Tutorials & Tips


Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. Kais bagwan said on December 5, 2022 at 2:39 pm
    Reply

    Device advertising

  2. Saima said on November 18, 2022 at 2:41 pm
    Reply

    I am new member I hope it will have me big benefit

  3. Raymundobonggo said on November 5, 2022 at 3:05 pm
    Reply

    My tecno spark 7 pro is to many ad’s

  4. Emma said on April 5, 2022 at 1:17 pm
    Reply

    I like it

  5. Mary said on March 27, 2022 at 11:48 pm
    Reply

    Thank you

  6. Perinbam said on May 18, 2021 at 10:08 am
    Reply

    Don’t send any advertising block all

  7. Andrew P. said on August 7, 2020 at 1:02 am
    Reply

    It seems every phone vendor likes to mess with the menu structure, even though the underlying operating system release level is the same. The procedure on my old AT&T Samsung Galaxy SIII running Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) is as follows.

    1. From the home screen, pull down the menu and hit the “gear” icon.
    2. Select the “Accounts” icon and on the next screen under “My accounts” select “Google”.
    3. On the next screen, under “Privacy”, select “Ads”.
    4. On the next screen, titled “Ads”, select “Reset advertising ID” and when the “Reset advertising ID?” dialog box pops up, select “OK”. Optionally, you can also select “Opt out of Ads Personalization”.

  8. Ariya said on July 21, 2020 at 4:38 am
    Reply

    That Advertising ID thing is only for KitKat and above.

  9. Kole said on January 8, 2020 at 4:49 am
    Reply

    Does anyone know how to do this on a galaxy tab a?

  10. grace said on March 9, 2018 at 12:35 pm
    Reply

    Plz help me install google setting on screen menu install see profile .I can not install shareit.etc

    1. Mahmoud said on May 13, 2021 at 10:59 am
      Reply

      Uyfjj I don’t know if you have any questions or concerns please visit the plug-in settings and your family and friends is I don’t know if you

  11. mondo said on August 8, 2017 at 11:09 pm
    Reply

    nowhere on my S7 Edge does any of this appear

    1. Anonymous said on January 9, 2018 at 10:21 am
      Reply

      s7 appears when you go to settings scroll down to google then you well see ads option just click and you well see the reset option

      1. Sierra said on January 15, 2021 at 1:03 am
        Reply

        Thanks

  12. dako said on February 3, 2017 at 7:44 pm
    Reply

    I need to restart it from time to time as it can be automated or there is already an application that does?

  13. Javiera said on November 17, 2016 at 1:57 pm
    Reply

    Hi, you know how I can get it with the version 6.0.1 ??
    Thanks!!!!!

  14. Rob said on August 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm
    Reply

    On ATT galaxy s5 with marshmallow I found the reset ad id option under phone settings -> user and back up -> Google. All of the options that used to be under the Google Settings button are there too.

  15. Kirk said on August 9, 2016 at 1:55 pm
    Reply

    I have no “google settings” android 5.1

    1. Jose Roberto said on December 4, 2022 at 5:37 am
      Reply

      Gracias

  16. Joel said on April 20, 2016 at 3:58 pm
    Reply

    I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 5. The “Google Settings” application button disappeared with a recent software upgrade to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), it took me a long time to find where the “reset advertising ID” option went so I thought I would share.
    1) go to the settings
    2) in “phone settings” go to “applications”
    3) I had to scroll all the way to the bottom of my applications to find “Google Settings”
    4) look for “Ads” under the “Services” section
    5) Reset advertising ID

  17. Mari said on July 28, 2015 at 5:40 am
    Reply

    Hi

    When im playing an online server based game thru the games app and for reasonr im yet to confirm I am banned..I can on my apple device reset the ID then reinstall the app and bam im a new user.. with my galaxy s2 after resetting id I reinstall the app but I am getting the old ban accnt still come up..

    So is it coz Im using old device or
    Is it coz its not designed for tge same purpose as apple users can use it for ?

  18. Declan said on April 24, 2015 at 9:57 pm
    Reply

    Are your screen captures unique to Germany (or Europe)?
    I have a Galaxy s5 that is up to date and my Settings button looks nothing like yours. In fact, I don’t even see an Ads menu anyplace. My Google Settings has only the following menu items:

    Accounts & Privacy
    Search Language
    Voice
    Phone Search
    Now Cards
    About.

    I live in Texas so I would guess that North American versions would be the same as mine. Are yours different? I don’t even see how this can be done though the Google home page on a regular computer.

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on April 25, 2015 at 5:28 am
      Reply

      I run a Motorola device and cannot verify this on Samsung devices. Maybe Samsung modified this part of the system and has removed it?

      1. Declan said on April 25, 2015 at 5:56 am
        Reply

        Ahh. That is quite possible. Different manufacturers modify for their own purposes.
        Still … it would be nice to be able to have that ability on Samsung models.
        Thanks.

      2. Richard L. Salazar said on December 6, 2021 at 5:30 pm
        Reply

        Why is it this difficult just to opt-out of the ads I have to watch before I can continue my game.

  19. OBrienPC said on April 22, 2015 at 2:58 pm
    Reply

    Your article lacks a key element by not explaining why someone would want to reset their advertising ID

    1. Fahami Mustefa said on August 18, 2021 at 11:48 pm
      Reply

      thank very much.

    2. jasper skinner said on May 15, 2021 at 9:19 am
      Reply

      yes I have spent my money several times on playing this game you guys have no problem except in my money when I buy something but now it’s time for me to receive my rewards and I’m having so many problems I don’t understand you guys need to get this together I will be finding another game to play

      1. Anonymous said on November 27, 2021 at 12:38 am
        Reply

        ???

    3. Anonymous said on March 20, 2020 at 8:22 am
      Reply

      Hey

    4. Martin Brinkmann said on April 22, 2015 at 3:06 pm
      Reply

      I thought this explains it: It allows developers (and Google) to create anonymous user profiles based on the ID to deliver targeted advertising to Android users.

  20. Maelish said on April 21, 2015 at 3:04 pm
    Reply

    How could I tell if an app is failing to follow the policy? It would be useful to report them for policy violation.

    1. Stefany Rosique said on December 18, 2021 at 1:58 pm
      Reply

      Cambie mi ID de publicidad por error pero estaba vinculada a algunos juegos que me dan recompensas, como puedo volver a mi ID de publicidad anterior? Gracias

    2. Martin Brinkmann said on April 21, 2015 at 3:19 pm
      Reply

      I don’t think you can unless the code is provided.

      1. Vlad said on July 10, 2023 at 8:55 pm
        Reply

        I thought you knew all things tech and was internet savvy like the back of your hand?? Well delete all info you lot hold about me and your stupid adverts or get to know the back of some strangers hand! As per policy that was a joke
        Thank you!
        Just stop the rubbish I’ve suddenly started receiving from nowhere I’m aware of but you’ll know being all knowing tech wizard lol. Cheers

  21. H674 said on April 21, 2015 at 1:20 pm
    Reply

    That Advertising ID thing is only for KitKat and above.

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on April 21, 2015 at 2:29 pm
      Reply

      I though this is linked to Google Play and not a specific version of Android. Can you provide me with a link where this is made clearer?

      1. Ʈą¥ǥɨ II ꔆ❄ said on January 12, 2021 at 10:12 am
        Reply

        Okay thanks

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.