# Getting device UUID - NodeJS + rPi3

**URL:** <https://forums.balena.io/t/getting-device-uuid-nodejs-rpi3/60425>\
**Category:** Product support\
**Created:** [January 30, 2020, 10:13am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/getting-device-uuid-nodejs-rpi3/60425 "2020-01-30T10:13:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kildcael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@kildcael](https://forums.balena.io/u/kildcael)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2020, 10:13am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/getting-device-uuid-nodejs-rpi3/60425/1 "2020-01-30T10:13:09Z")

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Hi all,

I am currently trying to access the device UUID within my NodeJS app.  
The way I’m trying to access this is via process.env.BALENA\_DEVICE\_UUID, but it is returning as undefined. Am I doing something incorrect here? I have read the documentation on this function but I can’t see what I’ve missed.

Thanks again

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**Author:** ![AlidaOdendaal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/alidaodendaal/32/1641_2.png) [@AlidaOdendaal](https://forums.balena.io/u/AlidaOdendaal)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2020, 10:55am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/getting-device-uuid-nodejs-rpi3/60425/3 "2020-01-30T10:55:47Z")

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Hi @kildcael

When you ssh into your application, and run `env`, does the device UUID show up the list? If not, try to ssh into the hostOS, and running `env` there to find the variable. The UUID might only be available on the hostOS and not in the container.

Let us know if this helps!

Kind regards  
Alida