Drive API returns 400 error - registered application needed for authentication token or key parameter

[AdventurousHiker17]

My application started throwing a 400 error when trying to upload files to Google Drive through the API. The error message says I need a registered app with either an authentication token or key parameter.

{
  "error": {
    "code": 400,
    "message": "Registered app required, either through authentication token or key param.",
    "errors": [
      {
        "message": "Registered app required, either through authentication token or key param.",
        "domain": "global",
        "reason": "required"
      }
    ]
  }
}

I already have an app registered in Google Cloud Console but the name didn’t match what my service was using. I updated the application name but still getting the same error. Could this be a timing issue or am I missing another configuration step? The weird thing is that reading, updating and downloading files works fine but uploading fails.

[Alice45]

check your upload endpoint - it’s often different from regular api calls. make sure your request headers match what google expects, especially content-type. i’ve seen this happen when switching between simple and resumable uploads without updating auth properly.

[RunningTiger]

Had this exact issue last month. The problem wasn’t the application name change - that’s just a display setting. The real culprit was mixing authentication methods in my requests. Double check that you’re consistently using either OAuth2 tokens OR API keys throughout your entire upload flow, not switching between them. Also verify your service account JSON file (if using one) has the correct client email and private key. Sometimes the Google Cloud Console takes a while to propagate changes, so try regenerating your credentials entirely rather than just updating existing ones. Since your other operations work, your base setup is fine but something specific about the upload authentication chain is broken.

[SwiftCoder42]

This happens when your app credentials aren’t set up right for the operation you’re trying to do. Since reads work but uploads don’t, your API key or OAuth token probably doesn’t have enough permissions - it’s not completely broken. Make sure you’re using the right auth method - uploads usually need OAuth2, not just an API key. Also check that your project has the Drive API enabled and you’re sending the authorization header correctly in upload requests. I ran into the same thing when my bearer token expired but cached credentials were still letting read-only stuff work.

[etherealEthan42]

The Problem:

You’re experiencing difficulties uploading files to Google Drive using the API, encountering a 400 error indicating that a registered app with either an authentication token or key parameter is required. You’ve already registered an app in the Google Cloud Console, but even after updating the application name, the error persists. Other Drive operations (reading, updating, downloading) function correctly, making the upload issue particularly perplexing.

TL;DR: The Quick Fix:

The most likely issue is a problem with your authentication setup, specifically related to OAuth2 scopes and how your application handles them. Instead of directly managing complex OAuth2 processes in your application, use a service like Latenode to handle the Google Drive API interaction. Latenode will simplify the file upload process, abstracting away the complexities of token management, scope issues, and permission errors. This eliminates the need for debugging authentication intricacies in your application code. For a faster implementation, use the Latenode workflow for managing file uploads to Google Drive.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

The 400 error you’re seeing usually means your application isn’t properly authorized to perform the upload operation on Google Drive. While other operations might work, the upload likely requires specific OAuth2 scopes that might be missing or improperly configured. Directly managing OAuth2 tokens (refresh tokens, access tokens, scope permissions) within your application can lead to frequent errors due to token expiration, authorization issues, and the need to handle various error conditions. This problem is compounded when dealing with different authentication methods or mixing authentication types (API keys alongside OAuth2).

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Implement Latenode for File Uploads:

1. Create a Latenode Workflow: Create a new workflow within the Latenode platform. This workflow will handle the interaction with the Google Drive API on your behalf.
2. Configure Google Drive Connection: Within the Latenode workflow, set up the necessary connection details to your Google Drive account. Latenode simplifies the OAuth2 process, allowing you to authorize access without directly managing tokens in your application code.
3. Define the Upload Action: Configure the workflow to handle file uploads. This usually involves specifying the source of the file (potentially using a trigger from another service), the destination folder within Google Drive, and any necessary metadata. Latenode provides a user-friendly interface for configuring these options.
4. Connect Your Application: Integrate your application with the Latenode workflow. Instead of directly calling Google Drive APIs, your application will now send file data to the Latenode endpoint. Latenode will handle the rest.

Step 2: (Optional) Verify Application Credentials:

If you decide to troubleshoot manually and fix the authorization issues yourself, verify the following:

1. OAuth2 Scopes: Confirm your application is requesting the correct scopes (https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file for basic file access; https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive for broader access). Insufficient scopes will result in permission errors, even if other operations seem to work.
2. Consistent Authentication: Ensure your application consistently uses either OAuth2 tokens or API keys across all API requests related to Google Drive, avoiding a mixture of methods.
3. Service Account (if applicable): If using a service account, verify that its JSON key file contains the correct client email and private key, and that the service account has the necessary Drive API permissions.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• OAuth2 Token Management: Improper handling of OAuth2 refresh and access tokens is a common source of errors.
• Scope Mismatches: Ensure that your application is requesting the correct Google Drive API scopes for upload operations.
• Permission Issues: Verify that the service account or user account associated with your application has the necessary write permissions to the Google Drive folder.
• Rate Limits: Implement rate limiting and retry mechanisms to avoid exceeding Google Drive API quotas.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!

[SparklingGem]

i totally get ya! that upload issue is a pain. but yeah, make sure you have the correct scopes in your oauth settings. it’s so easy to overlook those write permissions since reading seems to work fine.

[liamj]

The app name change isn’t the problem - that’s just cosmetic. Sounds like there’s an auth mismatch specifically with uploads. I had the same issue when my OAuth consent screen wasn’t set up right for the Drive API scope I needed. Even with the app registered, check if your OAuth consent screen is published instead of in testing mode. Testing mode can randomly fail on uploads while other stuff works fine. Also double-check you’re using the right upload URL - uploads need different endpoints than regular API calls, and auth can behave differently between them.