At a glance: When performing attribution tests, register your test device to make sure each install is recorded as a new install. A registered test device prevents installs from being recorded as reinstalls.
Overview
When performing attribution tests, the re-attribution window limits install attributions to one per 90-day window. Therefore, if you repeatedly use the same device to test install attributions, nothing is recorded. Registering a test device prevents installs from being recorded as reinstalls.
Methods for registering a test device
Registering a test device includes selecting the device's operating system (Android, iOS, or Windows), and adding the device identifier.
You can use one of the following methods to register:
- Download and install the My Device ID by AppsFlyer app: [admin only] Once you install the app on the test device, you can automatically register the device and share device ID details to your AppsFlyer account.
- Manually add the test device: Any team member can add a test device to the AppsFlyer Test Devices page.
Keep in mind the following:
- Registered test devices are available to all apps that belong to the account.
- Ad networks need to ask an advertiser to add devices; agencies can add their own devices.
Supported device identifiers
Device identifiers include the following:
- Android: GAID or OAID, IMEI, Android ID
Note
When registering a test device, you should only add IMEI or Android ID device identifiers if your app uses these identifiers.
- iOS: IDFA, IDFV
- Windows Phone: Windows advertising ID
Managing the registered-device list
Add a device using the AppsFlyer device ID app (admin only)
To download the AppsFlyer device ID app:
- Download and install the app using the QR code (Google Play store) or one of the provided links.
- On an iOS 14.5+ device, if you want to allow IDFA collection, tap Allow when the ATT prompt displays.
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On the Android/iOS/Windows screen, tap Register to register the device.
- Enter your AppsFlyer login credentials. The device is now registered.
- Tap Share details to share Device ID information.
Add a device manually via the user interface
Team members can manually add a device identifier to the list of test devices.
To add a device to the list:
- In AppsFlyer, in the upper-right click on your email address.
- Select Test devices.
- Click Add device.
- Complete as necessary:
- OS: Select an operating system.
- Name (only use English letters): Enter an identifying name for the device.
- Identifier: Provide a device identifier according to the operating system (OS):
Get identifiers by using the AppsFlyer Device ID app or by dialing the codes into the device:
Identifier Retrieval method Google Play Other GAID or OAID Use the AppsFlyer Device ID app Mandatory Can be used to register the device IMEI *#06#* Not applicable Can be used to register the device Android ID *#*#8255#*#* (may not work on newer devices) Not applicable Can be used to register the device - IDFA
- Install the AppsFlyer device ID app
- IDFV
- This identifier is only relevant if a vendor has at least 1 of their apps, besides the test app, installed on the device. See our guidelines about when to add IDFV.
- Windows Ad ID
- Get the Windows advertising ID
- Click Save.
The device displays in the list of registered devices.
Note
There can be cases in which you want to add more than 1 identifier to your test device, for example, you want both IDFA and IDFV on the same device.
To add an additional identifier:
- Click Add device.
- Use the same name for the test device, and add the 2nd identifier.
- Click Save.
Guidelines for adding IDFA or IDFV to iOS 14+ test devices
Follow these guidelines when adding a test device manually:
- Register for IDFA if AppTransparency Tracking (ATT) was implemented on your app and you want to run tests as a consenting user. When launching the app for the first time, make sure to click Allow in the ATT prompt.
- Register for IDFV if you have more than 1 of your apps, besides the test app installed on the device, and one of the following applies:
- ATT was implemented, and you want to run tests as a non-consenting user. When launching the app for the first time, make sure to click Don't Allow in the ATT prompt.
- ATT was not implemented.
Reason: When at least 2 of your apps are installed on a device, uninstalling and then reinstalling the test app results in the device getting the same IDFV, and the install is recorded as a reinstall. Registering the device allows the install to be recorded as a new install.
- Don't register your device if ATT was not implemented and you don't have additional apps. In this instance, probabilistic modeling is used for attribution. Each install is recorded as a new install on the test device.
Delete a registered device
A maximum of 40 devices can be registered per account. Only the account admin can delete test devices.
To delete a device from the list:
- In AppsFlyer, in the upper-right click on your email address.
- Select Test devices.
- Click the delete icon to remove devices.