Building a Gmail iOS app: What's the best way to handle authentication?

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1

I’m working on a Gmail app for iOS and I’m not sure about the best way to handle user authentication. Right now, I’m using IMAP and SMTP with CoreMail 2 to fetch emails. It works, but I’m just asking for the username and password in text fields. This doesn’t seem right.

I’ve noticed other email apps show the official Gmail login page. How can I do that? Also, my app doesn’t show up in the user’s Google Account settings where it lists which apps have access to their data.

I’ve heard about OAuth 2, but I’m confused if it’s just for adding a login feature or if it can actually help me access Gmail messages.

What I want to do:

  1. Have a ‘Login’ button in my app
  2. When clicked, show the Gmail login page
  3. After the user logs in, they should see a registration page for my app
  4. This page should be pre-filled with info from their Gmail (like name, email, contacts)

Can anyone help me figure out how to do this properly? Thanks!

2

Hey Dave, I’ve been down this road before and I can tell you that OAuth 2.0 is definitely the way to go for Gmail authentication. It’s not just for login - it’s how you’ll securely access Gmail data too.

Here’s what worked for me:

  1. Set up OAuth 2.0 credentials in Google Cloud Console.
  2. Integrate the Google Sign-In SDK into your app.
  3. Add a ‘Sign in with Google’ button that triggers the official Gmail login page.
  4. Handle the callback after successful login to get the user’s info and access token.
  5. Use that token to make requests to the Gmail API for emails and such.

This approach solved all the issues you mentioned - it uses the official login page, shows up in the user’s Google Account settings, and lets you fetch user data securely. It takes a bit more setup than just asking for a password, but it’s way more secure and user-friendly in the long run. Plus, users are more likely to trust your app when they see that familiar Google login screen. Good luck with your project!

3

As someone who’s implemented Gmail authentication in iOS apps before, I can confirm that OAuth 2.0 is indeed the way to go. It’s not just for login—it’s crucial for securely accessing Gmail data too.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to do:

  1. Set up OAuth 2.0 credentials in the Google Cloud Console.
  2. Integrate the Google Sign-In SDK into your app.
  3. Implement a ‘Sign in with Google’ button that triggers the official Gmail login flow.
  4. Handle the callback after successful login to retrieve the user’s info and access token.
  5. Use that token to make requests to the Gmail API for emails and other data.

This approach addresses your concerns by using the official login page, appearing in the user’s Google Account settings, and ensuring secure data access. While it may be more complex than simply asking for passwords, it enhances security and user trust.

If further clarification is needed on any step, I’d be glad to provide more details.

4

hey dave, oauth 2.0 is definitely the way to go for your gmail app. it handles both authentication and data access securely.

heres a quick guide: set up oauth credentials in google cloud console, use google sign-in sdk in your app, add a sign-in button for the gmail login page, handle the callback to get user info and access token, and use the token to fetch gmail data via the api. this approach addresses all your concerns. good luck with your project!