Definition:
A bundle ID is a unique string of characters that identifies a specific mobile app on the App Store or Google Play. It is used to distinguish your app from every other app in the store and is essential for enabling features like attribution tracking, in-app purchases, and SDK integrations.
What Is a Bundle ID?
A bundle ID is a unique identifier assigned to a mobile app. You can think of it as your app's permanent address within the greater app ecosystem. No two apps can share the same bundle ID, which is what makes it such a reliable reference point for platforms, partners, and tools that need to identify your app precisely.
A bundle ID is assigned when you first register your app. It then stays with it throughout the entire lifespan of your app. It is used as a reference by app stores, attribution platforms, ad networks, and SDKs to make sure data is always connected to the right app.
In the context of mobile marketing and attribution, the bundle ID is one of the most fundamental identifiers you will work with. It acts as an anchor that ties your SDK traffic, campaign data, and app store presence together.
What Is an Apple Bundle ID?
An Apple bundle ID (also referred to as an iOS bundle ID) is the unique identifier assigned to an app registered through Apple Developer. It follows a reverse domain name format and must be registered in your Apple Developer account before your app can be submitted to the App Store.
Apple uses the bundle ID to:
- Identify your app within the App Store ecosystem
- Enable app-specific services like push notifications, in-app purchases, and Sign in with Apple
- Connect your app to provisioning profiles and certificates for distribution
Every iOS app must have a unique bundle ID. Apple will not accept a submission if the bundle ID is already in use by another app.
Bundle ID Format and Examples
Bundle IDs follow a reverse domain name convention. This format helps ensure uniqueness across all registered apps globally.
The standard formats look like this:
- com.companyname.appname
- net.companyname.appname
Real-world examples:
| App | Bundle ID |
| com.facebook.Facebook | |
| net.whatsapp.WhatsApp | |
| Spotify | Com.spotify.client |
The reverse domain format starts with the top-level domain (com, net, org), followed by your company or developer name, and then your app name. Each segment is separated by a period.
How to Find Your Bundle ID
There are several ways to locate your bundle ID depending on where you are working.
How to find bundle ID for an iOS app in Apple Developer
- Log in to your Apple Developer account at developer.apple.com
- Navigate to Certificates, Identifiers and Profiles
- Select Identifiers from the left-hand menu
- Your registered app identifiers and their bundle IDs are listed here
How to find bundle ID in Xcode
- Open your project in Xcode
- Select your app target
- Go to the General tab
- Your bundle ID is listed under the Identity section
How to find an App ID on the App Store
- Open the App Store and navigate to your app
- Click More and select App Information
- Your bundle ID is listed under Identifier
How to find bundle ID on Google Play
Your Android app's bundle ID (also called the application ID or package name) is visible in the app's Play Store URL. For example:
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.example.appname
The string after id= is your bundle ID
How to Create a Bundle ID in Apple Developer
If you are registering a new app, here is how to create a bundle ID through Apple Developer:
- Log in to developer.apple.com
- Go to Certificates, Identifiers and Profiles
- Select Identifiers and click the + button
- Choose App IDs and select App as the type
- Enter a description and your bundle ID in reverse domain format
- Select any app capabilities you need (push notifications, in-app purchases, etc.)
- Click Register to confirm
Once registered, this bundle ID is permanently associated with your app and cannot be reused by another developer.
Bundle ID vs. App ID
These two terms are often used interchangeably but there is a subtle difference depending on context.
| Term | What It Refers To |
| Bundle ID | The unique string identifier for your app (e.g. com.company.appname) |
| App ID | In Apple's system, the App ID combines a Team ID prefix with the bundle ID |
| Package Name | The Android equivalent of a bundle ID on Google Play |
For most practical purposes in mobile marketing and attribution, bundle ID and app ID refer to the same thing: the unique string that identifies your app.
Why Bundle IDs Matter for Attribution
In mobile attribution, the bundle ID is the primary way that platforms connect SDK traffic to the correct app. When a user installs your app and triggers an attribution event, the bundle ID is what ensures that event is linked to your app and not someone else's.
Without a correctly registered and consistently used bundle ID:
- SDK data may not connect to your app correctly
- Attribution events can be misrouted or lost
- Ad network integrations may fail to map installs to campaigns
Getting your bundle ID right from the start prevents downstream data problems that are time-consuming to fix.
Bundle ID in Tenjin
When you add your app to Tenjin, the bundle ID is automatically pulled from the App Store or Google Play. You can find your app's bundle ID on each app page within the Tenjin dashboard.
Tenjin uses the bundle ID to associate SDK traffic with your app, which is how attribution data, campaign performance, and revenue metrics all get connected to the right place. It is one of the first things Tenjin sets up when you onboard a new app, and it works in the background to keep your data clean and accurate from day one.
Related Terms
- Attribution
- Advertising ID (IDFA and GAID)
- In-App Purchases (IAP)
- In-App Advertising (IAA)
- IDFV (Identifier for Vendors)
- Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP)
- Software Development Kit (SDK)
- Install
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bundle ID?
A bundle ID is a unique string of characters that identifies a specific app on the App Store or Google Play. It follows a reverse domain name format and is used by app stores, attribution tools, and SDKs to make sure data is always tied to the correct app.
How do I find my iOS bundle ID?
You can find your iOS bundle ID in your Apple Developer account under Certificates, Identifiers and Profiles, or in Xcode under your app target's General settings. It is also visible on the App Store under your app's App Information page.
How does Tenjin use bundle IDs?
When you add your app to Tenjin, the bundle ID is automatically pulled from the App Store or Google Play. Tenjin uses it to associate SDK traffic with your app, ensuring that attribution data, campaign metrics, and revenue are all connected to the right place.