Collecting the Identifier for Vendor

Background

In previous versions of the Braze iOS SDK, the IDFV (Identifier for Vendor) field was automatically collected as the user’s device ID. Beginning in Swift SDK v5.7.0, the IDFV field can optionally be disabled, and instead, Braze will set a random UUID as the device ID.

The optional useUUIDAsDeviceId feature configures the Swift SDK to set the device ID as a UUID. Traditionally, the iOS SDK would assign the device ID equal to the Apple-generated IDFV value. With this feature enabled on your iOS app, all new users created via the SDK would be assigned a device ID equal to a UUID.

If you still wish to collect IDFV, along with the UUID option enabled, you can still do so via the Swift SDK as outlined in our device ID configuration.

Getting Started

To set the device ID as a UUID instead of the IDFV, in the Braze.Configuration instance of your iOS application, set useUUIDAsDeviceId to true.

Considerations

SDK Version

When enabling useUUIDAsDeviceId, all new users created will be assigned a random device ID. All previously existing users will maintain their same device ID value, which may have been IDFV.

When this feature is not enabled (by default), devices will continue to be assigned IDFV upon creation.

The diagram below describes when a UUID or IDFV will be assigned as the device ID. Note that the IDFV field can only be read from devices that support this feature (e.g., iOS, tvOS, macCatalyst)

Process description

1. User initializes SDK v5.7+
2. Is the user upgraded from a previous SDK version?
   • If Obj-C or less than v5.7, proceed to step 3
   • If v5.7+, proceed to step 4
3. Use IDFV as device_id
   • End of process
4. Does the user have an existing device_id?
   • If yes, proceed to step 5
   • If no (new user), proceed to step 6
5. Use existing device_id
   • End of process
6. Is UUID setting enabled?
   • If yes, proceed to step 7
   • If no, return to step 3
7. Assign UUID as device_id
   • End of process

Downstream

Technology partners: If this feature is enabled, any technology partners that derive the IDFV value from the Braze device ID will no longer have access to this piece of data. If the IDFV value derived from the device IS is needed for your partner integration, we recommend that you do not enable this feature.

Currents: Enabling the useUUIDAsDeviceId option will mean the device ID sent in Currents will no longer equal IDFV.

Frequently asked questions

Will this change impact my existing users in Braze?

No. When enabled, this feature will not overwrite any user data in Braze. Only newly created devices - or after wipedata() is called - will generate new UUID device IDs.

Can I turn this feature off after turning it on?

Yes, this feature can be toggled on and off at your discretion. Previously stored device IDs will never be overwritten.

Can I still capture the IDFV value via Braze elsewhere?

Yes, you can still optionally collect the IDFV via the Swift SDK (collection is disabled by default).