Can I automate the Oauth2.0 authentication process for Google APIs using a headless web browser?

Other Questions Headless Browser
1

I am working with the Google Calendar API, but my Oauth2.0 token expires every week and requires manual re-authorization through a web browser with my Google account. Is there a method to automate this authorization renewal process on a weekly basis?

from __future__ import print_function
import datetime
import os.path
from googleapiclient.discovery import build
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials

# Define the scopes needed for calendar access
SCOPES = ['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/calendar.readonly']

def main():
    """
    Demonstrates basic usage of the Google Calendar API.
    Outputs the start and title of the next 10 events from the user's calendar.
    """
    creds = None
    
    # Check if the token file exists
    if os.path.exists('token.json'):
        creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file('token.json', SCOPES)
    
    # If credentials are not valid, prompt user for login
    if not creds or not creds.valid:
        if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
            creds.refresh(Request())
        else:
            flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file('credentials.json', SCOPES)
            creds = flow.run_local_server(port=0)
        # Save the credentials for next time
        with open('token.json', 'w') as token:
            token.write(creds.to_json())

    service = build('calendar', 'v3', credentials=creds)

    # Fetch upcoming events from the calendar
    now = datetime.datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + 'Z'  # Z indicates UTC time
    print('Retrieving the next 10 events')
    events_result = service.events().list(calendarId='primary', timeMin=now,
                                          maxResults=10, singleEvents=True,
                                          orderBy='startTime').execute()
    events = events_result.get('items', [])

    if not events:
        print('No upcoming events available.')
    for event in events:
        start = event['start'].get('dateTime', event['start'].get('date'))
        print(start, event['summary'])

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()
2

Yes, you can automate the OAuth2.0 authentication process for Google APIs by using the refresh token functionality. Here's how you can refine your code to manage the token renewal more efficiently:

  1. Ensure that you have a refresh token: When you initially authorize access, save the refresh token. It allows you to request a new access token automatically when the current one expires.
  2. Modify your code: Adjust your code to use the refresh token for obtaining new access tokens without user intervention.
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google.auth.transport.requests import Request

SCOPES = ['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/calendar.readonly']

def get_credentials():
    creds = None
    if os.path.exists('token.json'):
        creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file('token.json', SCOPES)
    if not creds or not creds.valid:
        if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
            creds.refresh(Request())
        else:
            flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file('credentials.json', SCOPES)
            creds = flow.run_local_server(port=0)
        with open('token.json', 'w') as token:
            token.write(creds.to_json())
    return creds

def main():
    creds = get_credentials()
    service = build('calendar', 'v3', credentials=creds)
    now = datetime.datetime.utcnow().isoformat() + 'Z'
    events_result = service.events().list(
        calendarId='primary', timeMin=now, maxResults=10, singleEvents=True, orderBy='startTime').execute()
    events = events_result.get('items', [])

    for event in events:
        start = event['start'].get('dateTime', event['start'].get('date'))
        print(start, event['summary'])

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

This updated script will check for token existence and validity, and refresh it using the refresh token when necessary. This approach minimizes manual intervention and keeps the automation running seamlessly.