OpenUDID

If Apple wouldn't provide an ID then developers would code their own device identifiers. This here is crossplatform for iOS and Android: https://github.com/ylechelle/OpenUDID/blob/master/README.md Or just read the MAC address: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/677530/how-can-i-programm... > Google does just fine without a globally unique "advertising number". It can do so because people get actual value for the advertisements, and the advertisements are targeted. I don't understand, can you elaborate? How can advertisements be targeted without tracking?

Addendum: It is explained (from the developers point of view) in the WWDC 2012 session "Privacy Support in iOS and OS X". https://developer.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2012/?id=710 The old UDID is splitted into three new API: 1. Application ID, which scope is the app and lifetime is till uninstallation of this app. 2. Vendor ID: scope is developer and lifetime is till uninstallation of all developer's apps. 3. Advertising ID (identifierForAdvertising or IFA): scope is the device and a new ID is created by "Erase all contents/settings" and it is not restored across devices (practically lifetime is lifetime of the device). This means when you start to use a new iPad it will have its own Advertising ID and not use that of your old iPhone, because the ID is not tied to your Apple ID account, but tied to a device. It is noteworthy that after Apple b

https://github.com/ylechelle/OpenUDID Replacements are already popping up. Seems like this will only mildly fragment the issue. I think they're all based on hashing the MAC address.