idevice_id

List the UDIDs of all attached devices

$ idevice_id --list

$ idevice_id --network

idevice_id [-u UDID] [-l] [-d] [-v] [-h] [-V]

-u, --udid UDID
    Target specific device by its UDID

-l, --list
    List UDIDs of all connected devices

-d, --debug
    Enable communication debugging

-v, --verbose
    Enable verbose output

-h, --help
    Print usage information

-V, --version
    Print version information

The idevice_id command is a utility from the libimobiledevice library, designed for Linux and other Unix-like systems to interact with Apple iOS devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It fetches the unique device identifier (UDID), a 40-character hexadecimal string that uniquely identifies each device.

This tool relies on the usbmuxd daemon for USB multiplexing and communication over USB. When executed without arguments, it connects to the first available iOS device and outputs its UDID. It's essential for scripting device management, automation, and tools like ideviceinstaller or idevicebackup.

libimobiledevice provides open-source alternatives to iTunes for device handling, bypassing proprietary Apple software. Users must ensure the device is unlocked, trusted (by tapping 'Trust' on the device screen), and connected via USB. No jailbreak is required for basic UDID retrieval.

Requires libimobiledevice and usbmuxd installed; device must be USB-connected, unlocked, and trusted. Fails if no device detected or multiple untargeted devices present without -l.

idevice_id # Prints UDID of first device
idevice_id -l # Lists all connected UDIDs
idevice_id -u 00008020-00123456789ABCDE # Targets specific device

Typically via package managers: apt install libimobiledevice-utils (Debian/Ubuntu) or dnf install libimobiledevice (Fedora).

Part of libimobiledevice project, initiated in 2007 by Nikias Bassen to support iOS on Linux post-iPhone launch. idevice_id added early for core device identification; actively maintained with iOS version compatibility updates.

ideviceinfo(1), idevicesyslog(1), usbmuxd(8), ideviceinstaller(1)