# Collect and manage device information

Learn how to capture device data through the Genuin SDKs, organize it in Brand Control Center reports, and use it to improve experience, performance, and monetization.

Device information shows which devices, operating systems, and app versions people use to reach your media network. Once you integrate the SDKs, Genuin captures it automatically. The data is processed and available in near real time in Brand Control Center (BCC), next to content analytics, engagement metrics, and monetization reporting.

Use device information to:

- Optimize UI and UX for each device and platform
- Deliver device-specific content formats, such as vertical video for mobile
- Improve app and web performance across OS versions
- Target engagement and monetization more precisely
- Base decisions on real usage patterns

Device data is one of the data tools in Control; see [Control: what it does and where to start](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/control-what-it-does-and-where-to-start).

## Integrate the Genuin SDKs

Device capture starts with the Genuin SDKs and web components.

1. Integrate the Genuin SDK in each app: the [Android SDK](https://begenuin.com/developers/developer-resources/sdk/how-to-integrate-and-power-your-brand-community-in-android-apps), [iOS SDK](https://begenuin.com/developers/developer-resources/sdk/developer/genuin-sdk/native-compatibility/ios/how-to-integrate-and-power-your-brand-community-in-ios-apps), [React Native SDK](https://begenuin.com/developers/developer-resources/sdk/how-do-you-integrate-the-genuin-react-native-sdk-into-your-application), or [Flutter SDK](https://begenuin.com/developers/developer-resources/sdk/how-do-you-integrate-the-genuin-flutter-sdk-into-your-application).
2. Initialize the SDK with your **API Key**.

After integration, Genuin captures these device attributes automatically:

- Device type: Mobile, Tablet, or Desktop
- Operating system: Android, iOS, or Web
- OS version
- App version and SDK version
- Browser details, for web

You don't configure anything beyond the SDK integration. For websites, see [Embed the Genuin Web SDK on your website](https://begenuin.com/developers/developer-resources/sdk/how-do-you-embed-and-configure-the-genuin-web-sdk-on-your-website).

## Set up device reporting in Brand Control Center

1. In Brand Control Center, go to **Monetize** > **Programmatic** > **Dashboard** > **Live Data**.
2. Make sure the device-related dimensions are enabled.
3. Map device data to communities and groups, content formats, and channels.
   ![Monetize > Programmatic > Dashboard on the Live Data tab, with Report Type set to Ad Server, a date range and timezone, and the Dimensions section highlighted above Metrics and Filters.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lnrtvsvr/development/c4f2fbf3730117cd4943f50af6073bea5182f7de-1879x912.jpg)
   *Step 3: Add device dimensions here to break the report down by device.*

Mapping gives you structured reports by device. For the dimensions, metrics, and filters a report offers, see [Analyze device data in reports](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/how-do-i-access-device-information-for-analytics-and-reporting).

## Segment your audience by device

Build segments such as:

- Mobile-first users versus desktop users
- Android versus iOS audiences
- High-performance versus low-performance devices

Use the segments to personalize content feeds, optimize load times and media delivery, and tailor engagement strategies.

![Monetize > Programmatic > Dashboard on the AdServer tab: Top Ad Sources and Top OS charts comparing two date ranges, with inventory, impressions, and revenue for Android, iOS, OSX, and Windows.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lnrtvsvr/development/91433596a8af9ad6bd6fe9e0387656e55e0d19a5-1875x913.jpg)
*Top OS splits inventory, impressions, and revenue by operating system.*

Learn more about [Audience Segments](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/supervised-intelligence/audience-segments).

## Improve the experience by device

Based on device insights, you can:

- Prioritize vertical video formats for mobile users
- Optimize content quality and bitrate for slower devices
- Adjust UI components for different screen sizes
- Improve navigation and interaction patterns
  ![Settings with the Player & Feed Controls panel set to Mobile App: Video Aspect Ratio at 9:16 (Vertical), Adaptive unavailable, and Video Autoplay, beside a phone preview of the feed.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lnrtvsvr/development/10c2dfcdacdcdd8b56aad6bea00637dbaa56fd6d-1877x910.jpg)
  *Player & Feed Controls keep separate values for the mobile app and the web.*

To change player behavior per page type or placement without code, see [Player Controls and Feed Settings](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/player-controls-and-feed-settings).

## Align device data with monetization

Use device data to optimize:

- Ad formats: in-feed, in-stream, and display
- Placement strategies
- Revenue performance across devices

Combine device data with contextual and behavioral signals for better targeting.

![Ads Configurations > New Preset with an empty Show ads on selected placements picker and a Feed Preview numbering content, in-feed, and in-stream slots from 1st to 13th.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lnrtvsvr/development/881414d5bb02207d76d9b3a3799e1f64f35c4d86-1874x912.jpg)
*A preset sets where in-feed and in-stream ads fall in the feed.*

To set where vertical video ads appear and how often, see [vertical video ad placements and frequency](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/how-does-a-brand-configure-vertical-video-ad-placements-and-frequency).

## Best practices

- Combine device data with user behavior for better insights.
- Monitor device trends continuously, and update your experience strategy to match.
- Test content and UI on your top-performing devices.
- Stay transparent, and comply with privacy and consent requirements. Learn more about [privacy and consent with zero-party data](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/how-does-genuin-ensure-privacy-and-consent-with-zero-party-data).

## Limitations

- **Availability differs by integration.** SDK and web integrations don't capture the same device data.
- **Privacy policies restrict some details.** Certain granular details might be unavailable because of privacy policies.
- **Accuracy needs a correct SDK setup.** Accuracy relies on a proper SDK implementation and current SDK updates.
- **Regional privacy law applies.** Data collection must comply with regional privacy regulations.

## See also

- [Analyze device data in reports](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/how-do-i-access-device-information-for-analytics-and-reporting)
- [Use interest data for personalized recommendations](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/how-can-i-utilize-interest-data-for-personalized-recommendations)
- [Audience Segments](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/supervised-intelligence/audience-segments)
- [How privacy and consent work with zero-party data](https://begenuin.com/developers/browse-by-products/control/how-does-genuin-ensure-privacy-and-consent-with-zero-party-data)
- [Integrate the Genuin Android SDK](https://begenuin.com/developers/developer-resources/sdk/how-to-integrate-and-power-your-brand-community-in-android-apps)