Hey folks, I’m trying to set up email sending in my ASP.NET Core Web API using the Gmail API. I’m moving away from SMTP because of the upcoming changes. I’ve got the Google.Apis.Gmail.v1 package installed and I’ve set up my project in the Google Developer Console.
I’m running into some issues while testing locally. I keep getting an error with a URL that changes every time I run the app. It looks something like ‘http://127.0.0.1:62415’ but the numbers at the end are different each time.
I’ve got a few questions:
- Is this error happening because I’m testing on my local machine?
- Will things work better if I put my API on Azure?
- Any tips for testing this locally?
I’ve written some code to handle the OAuth flow and send emails. It’s using UserCredential and GmailService. If anyone’s dealt with this before, I’d really appreciate some pointers. Thanks!
I’ve actually gone through this process recently, and I can share some insights. The changing URL you’re seeing is likely due to the local development server that ASP.NET Core spins up each time you run your app. This isn’t necessarily an error, but it can cause issues with OAuth.
For local testing, I found it helpful to use ngrok to create a secure tunnel to my localhost. This gives you a consistent HTTPS URL that you can use in your Google Console settings. Just make sure to update your redirect URIs in the Google Console to match the ngrok URL.
As for Azure, it can simplify things once you’re ready to deploy. You won’t have to deal with the changing URLs, and it’s easier to set up HTTPS, which is required for the Gmail API.
One tip: store your client ID and secret in user secrets or environment variables, not in your code. Also, make sure you’re handling token refresh correctly. The Gmail API tokens expire quickly, so you need to implement proper refresh logic.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more specifics on any part of the process.
hey, i’ve been there too. the changing url is just ur local dev server, no biggie. for testing, try ngrok - it gives u a stable url to use in google console. azure’s great for production but not necessary for testing.
remember to handle token refreshes properly and keep ur credentials safe. also, double-check ur scopes in the OAuth setup. good luck!
Having worked with the Gmail API in ASP.NET Core, I can offer some advice. The changing URL is indeed related to your local development environment. It’s not an error per se, but it can complicate OAuth setup.
For local testing, consider using a tool like ngrok or localtunnel. These create a stable, public URL for your local server, which you can then use in your Google Console configuration.
Regarding Azure, it does simplify things, especially for production. You get a stable URL and easier HTTPS setup, which the Gmail API requires.
A crucial point: ensure you’re handling token refresh correctly. Gmail API tokens expire quickly, so implement proper refresh logic. Also, use Azure Key Vault or similar for storing sensitive credentials.
Lastly, make sure your GmailService is properly authenticated with the right scopes. Double-check your OAuth consent screen settings in the Google Console too.