I’m building a web application using Node.js that needs to modify Google Drive documents. The app should be able to update files that I own plus files that other users have shared with me.
Currently, I’m using the https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive/file permission scope, which works well for files I created. However, when I want to modify shared files, I have to use the broader https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive scope instead.
The issue is that this broader scope presents a very intimidating authorization message to users. It essentially says my app wants to see, edit, or delete all of your Google Drive files. This frightens users away from my application.
I only wish to interact with specific files, not everything in someone’s drive. Is there another permission scope or method that allows access to shared files without requesting such wide-reaching permissions? The current message gives the impression that I want to alter all their personal documents, which is not true.
Yeah, this is a frustrating limitation with Google Drive’s API scopes. The drive.file scope only works with files your app created - it won’t touch files shared with the user. There’s no middle ground between that and the full drive scope for shared files. I’ve found a decent workaround using Google Picker API with the restricted scope. Users can pick exactly which shared files they want your app to access, then you work with those file IDs. The visual picker interface makes people way more comfortable than those scary broad permission warnings. Another option: start with minimal scope, then ask for broader permissions only when users actually try accessing shared files. Explain why you need it right when they hit that wall.
yeah, this is super annoying. a workaround that’s helped me is using the picker api like JollyMusic said, but store the file IDs users pick first. then only ask for drive permissions on those specific files when you actually need them. google’s OAuth can handle file hints sometimes. it’s not perfect but makes that scary permission popup way less intimidating.
totally get it! it’s a bit of a hassle, right? another option might be to look into using user consent screens more effectively. maybe explaining what exactly your app will do could help ease some worries.
Had this exact issue in production. Incremental consent was the game changer. Don’t ask for broad drive scope right away - stick with file scope first. Only ask for wider permissions when users actually try accessing shared files. I pop up a quick modal explaining why I need broader access and what files I’ll touch. Be upfront that it’s temporary and let them revoke permissions easily in settings. My conversion rate shot up because users weren’t spooked during signup. By the time they need shared file access, they already trust your app enough to say yes.
Been wrestling with Google API permissions for years. Google’s scope system is rigid - there’s no elegant way around it with their native API.
I automated the entire file sharing workflow instead of fighting their permission model. Built a system that handles file operations through a different approach.
Rather than asking users for broad Drive permissions, I create automated workflows using service accounts and proper delegation. The workflow monitors shared files, processes them with the right permissions, and updates everything without users seeing those scary permission screens.
Users only grant minimal permissions to my app, but backend automation handles all the complex shared file operations seamlessly. No more frightening permission dialogs or explaining why you need access to everything.
I set this up using workflow automation that manages Google Drive interactions behind the scenes. Way cleaner than dealing with incremental consent or picker APIs.