Obtaining Gmail refresh tokens for database-stored credentials

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1

Hey everyone, I’m working on a C# project and I need some help. I’ve got a database with usernames and passwords for Gmail accounts. What I’m trying to do is get the refresh tokens for all these users automatically. Is there a way to do this using the stored passwords?

I’ve been looking into the Gmail API, but I’m not sure if it’s possible to get refresh tokens without user interaction. Has anyone done something like this before? I’d really appreciate any tips or code examples that could point me in the right direction.

Here’s a simple example of what I’m trying to do:

public class GmailTokenManager
{
    public async Task<string> GetRefreshToken(string username, string password)
    {
        // Some code to authenticate and get refresh token
        // This is where I'm stuck
        return refreshToken;
    }
}

Thanks in advance for any help!

2

I’ve encountered this challenge before, and I can confirm that obtaining refresh tokens without user interaction isn’t feasible with Gmail’s security protocols. Your best approach would be to implement a one-time authorization process for each account. This involves creating a simple web interface where users can log in and grant the necessary permissions.

Once you’ve obtained the refresh tokens through this process, you can store them securely in your database. From that point on, you can use these tokens to generate access tokens programmatically without further user input.

Keep in mind that refresh tokens are sensitive and should be treated as securely as passwords. Also, be prepared to handle cases where tokens might become invalid or expire. It’s crucial to implement proper error handling and token refresh mechanisms in your application.

3

I’ve actually dealt with a similar situation in one of my projects. From my experience, obtaining refresh tokens automatically using stored passwords isn’t possible with the Gmail API due to security reasons. Google specifically requires user interaction to grant access and generate refresh tokens.

Instead, what worked for me was implementing a one-time authorization flow for each account. I created a simple web application where users could log in and grant permissions. This generates the refresh token, which I then stored securely in the database.

After that initial setup, you can use the refresh tokens to generate access tokens without user interaction. It’s a bit more work upfront, but it’s the most secure and compliant way to handle this.

Remember to store those refresh tokens securely - they’re essentially long-term access to the accounts. Also, be aware of Google’s usage limits and implement proper error handling for token expiration or revocation.

4

yo man, getting refresh tokens without user input is a no-go. Google’s pretty strict bout security. ur best bet is to make a simple web app where users can log in and give permission once. then u can save those tokens in ur database and use em later. it’s a bit more work but it’s the right way to do it