When downloading files via the Google Drive API in PHP, my HTTP request returns a 200 status yet the response body is empty. I am seeking insights into this inconsistency.
function retrieveDocument($docId) {
try {
$info = $this->driveService->getMetadata($docId);
$link = $info->downloadLink;
if ($link) {
$client = new HttpClientRequest($link, 'GET');
$result = $client->execute();
if ($result->status === 200) {
$info->fileContent = $result->body;
} else {
return null;
}
} else {
return null;
}
return json_encode($info);
} catch (DriveException $ex) {
error_log('Error downloading file: ' . $ex->getMessage());
throw $ex;
}
}
In my experience, encountering a 200 status with an empty body often points to nuances with the file type or the API request itself. I once hit a similar issue when downloading a Google Docs file and realized that the download URL does not return raw content like a typical file download. In such cases, the API expects to receive an export link instead of the download link, so verifying whether the file type requires a conversion or export process is essential. Adjusting the request to handle Google Docs exports resolved the problem for me.
i faced a simlar issue and adding ‘?alt=media’ fixed it. sometimes you gotta export the file rather than download it directly. also check if your auth token is valid. hope this helps, good luck!
Check that your request is formatted correctly for the file type you are trying to download. In my experience, receiving a 200 response with no body can indicate that the file requires transformation or export rather than a direct device download. Review the type of file, as standard downloads and exportable formats like Google Docs need different treatment. Also ensure that all authentication tokens or API parameters are added to the request, as missing these may cause the API to return empty content.