I’ve created a VB.Net app to interact with my Gmail accounts using the Gmail API. I successfully set up access for one account following the official guide. Now my app automatically connects to this account when I run it.
However I’m stuck on how to add access to a second Gmail account within the same application. I want to be able to switch between accounts or choose which one to use.
I’ve looked for solutions online but couldn’t find a clear explanation that I could understand and implement. Has anyone done this before? What steps should I take to authorize and access multiple Gmail accounts in my desktop app?
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
hey dave, i’ve done this b4. u need separate auth for each account. store tokens separately (maybe in a database). when switching accounts, load the right tokens and make a new service object. add a dropdown in ur app to pick accounts. just make sure to handle token refreshes for each one. good luck mate!
I’ve actually tackled this issue before in one of my projects. The key is to create separate credential objects for each Gmail account you want to access. Here’s what worked for me:
Generate unique ClientId and ClientSecret for each account through the Google Developer Console.
Implement a mechanism to store and manage multiple sets of tokens, one for each account. I used a simple JSON file to keep track of them.
When switching accounts, load the appropriate credentials and use them to create a new Gmail service object.
Add a UI element in your app to let users select which account they want to use.
It took some trial and error, but once I got it working, it was pretty smooth. Just remember to handle token refreshes properly for each account. Hope this helps point you in the right direction!
Having worked with the Gmail API in multiple projects, I can offer some insights. The crucial aspect is managing separate OAuth 2.0 flows for each account. You’ll need to implement a token storage system, perhaps using a database or encrypted files, to maintain distinct access tokens for each Gmail account.
When switching between accounts, load the corresponding tokens and initialize a new Gmail service instance. It’s essential to handle token expiration and refresh processes independently for each account.
Consider creating a configuration interface in your app where users can add and manage multiple Gmail accounts. This approach allows for a more flexible and user-friendly experience when dealing with multiple accounts.
Remember to thoroughly test your implementation, especially focusing on scenarios where tokens might expire or become invalid.