The “hidden tracking ID” on most Android phones is the Android advertising ID, a user-resettable identifier supplied by Google Play services for advertising. On many recent phones, delete it by opening Settings > Privacy > Ads > Delete advertising ID, then confirming. If your menus differ, use the alternate paths below.
What Android’s hidden ID actually is
The advertising ID is a unique identifier that apps and advertising systems can use for ad-related recognition. Google Play services makes it user-resettable and user-deletable, so it is not the same as a permanent hardware serial number or your Google Account identity. Google describes the identifier and its controls in its Google Play Console documentation.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Deleting it removes this standardized advertising signal. It does not erase every record an app may already hold, and it does not prevent an app from using another identifier or its own privacy settings.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDelete the advertising ID on current Android phones
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Ads.
- Choose Delete advertising ID.
- Confirm the deletion on the warning screen.
After deletion, supported devices return a string of zeros to apps that request the advertising ID instead of a replacement identifier. Google says this behavior rolled out to Android 12 devices in late 2021 and expanded to Google-Play-supported devices in 2022.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Use Google’s alternate Ads privacy route
Some Android releases place the controls under Google services rather than directly in Privacy:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Google.
- Tap All services.
- Open Privacy & security.
- Tap Ads, then Ads privacy.
From there, look for the advertising-ID control and follow the deletion confirmation. Google’s Android instructions are available at Android Help.
Delete versus reset: choose the result you want
| Choice | What happens | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Delete advertising ID | The ID is removed; supported devices provide zeros when apps request it, with no new advertising ID assigned. | You want to remove this ad identifier rather than replace it. |
| Reset advertising ID | Android generates a new advertising ID and disconnects future ad requests from the previous value. | You want a fresh identifier but still want apps to receive an advertising ID. |
Both options are found in the Ads area. Resetting is not the same as deleting: it changes the identifier, while deletion removes it.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
What deletion changes—and what it cannot stop
Google warns: Your advertising ID will be reset or deleted, but apps may have their own settings using other types of identifiers, which can also affect the types of ads you see.
The statement appears on Google’s Advertising – Privacy & Terms page.
- Apps can continue to display ads after the advertising ID is deleted.
- An app can use account information, device signals, cookies, analytics identifiers or other app-level identifiers, subject to its own disclosures and permissions.
- Previously collected data is not automatically deleted just because the Android advertising ID is removed.
- Ad relevance may change, but there is no guarantee that every ad becomes random or that tracking ends across all services.
Think of deletion as removing one shared advertising signal, not as a universal “stop tracking” switch.
Turn off Android’s newer ad-privacy features
The Ads privacy page contains controls separate from deleting the advertising ID. They govern additional forms of ad personalization and measurement:
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Ad topics
Android can infer broad topics from app use for ad personalization. Turn off Allow ad topics if you do not want those topics shared with participating apps.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
App-suggested ads
Disable this option to stop apps from suggesting ads through Android’s ad system. Google says blocking it also deletes associated suggestion data.
Ad measurement
Turn off this setting to stop the limited data sharing Android uses to measure advertising performance.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
These switches do not replace the advertising-ID delete action. They address topics, app suggestions and measurement separately, so review each one if your goal is to reduce Android’s built-in ad signals.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you cannot find “Delete advertising ID”
Search Settings
Use the Settings search field and try Ads, Advertising ID or Ads privacy. Phone manufacturers can rename or relocate privacy pages.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchCheck the older Android layout
On older releases, Google documents Settings > Privacy > Advanced > Ads. You may see Opt out of Ads Personalization instead of a delete button. That wording reflects the older control set; it is not the same interface as the newer deletion flow.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Use the Google-services path
If Privacy has no Ads entry, try Settings > Google > All services > Privacy & security > Ads > Ads privacy. Update Google Play services and Android, if updates are available, then check again.
Expect manufacturer differences
Samsung and other manufacturers may place the same Google control under a differently named privacy screen. The exact labels also depend on Android version, region and whether the phone includes Google Play services.
What to do after deletion
- Reopen the Ads page and confirm that the control now offers a delete state or that the identifier is unavailable.
- Review individual apps’ privacy and advertising settings if personalized ads continue.
- Use Android’s app-permission controls and remove permissions an app does not need; those settings govern access to data beyond the advertising ID.
- For account-based personalization, review the relevant Google or app account controls separately. Deleting the advertising ID does not sign you out or erase account data.
Bottom line
Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads > Delete advertising ID, or use Settings > Google > All services > Privacy & security > Ads > Ads privacy when the first path is missing. Choose Reset only if you want a new advertising ID. Deletion removes one ad identifier; it does not eliminate every tracking method or every personalized advertisement.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
