Prior to April 2024, SyncBackPro connected to Google Drive using a special 2BrightSparks Client ID and Client Secret. A Client ID and Client Secret is like a username and password. It identified that it was SyncBackPro connecting to Google Drive. This made it very simple to use Google Drive as you only needed to approve that SyncBackPro could access your files.
However, due to ever tightening security constraints, Google has severely restricted which applications can access Google Drive using their own Client ID and Client Secret. Because of this, starting May 2024, users of SyncBackPro need to create their own Client ID and Client Secret to allow SyncBackPro to access their Google Drive files.
To create your own Client ID and Client Secret for SyncBackPro please watch our YouTube video.
Google Drive - Client ID and Secret
Once you have a Client ID and Client Secret you can use it in the Cloud Accounts so that you no longer need to enter it again. We have a YouTube video for this step as well.
Using the Client ID and Secret
Manual Steps for Creating a Client ID and Secret
Although it appears to be very complex, the process is quite simple:
•You need to create a project using the Google API console.
•Next, you enable the Google Drive API for that project. You must do this before adding scopes as the scopes available depend on which API's and services have been enabled.
•After that you define the scopes, which basically specify what the project is allowed to do.
•Finally, you publish the project so it can be used, e.g. by SyncBackPro.
Step 1 - Creating a Project
•Go to the Google API Console (https://console.developers.google.com/) and sign into your Google Account
•You may need to agree to the Terms of Service and then click AGREE AND CONTINUE
•Click CREATE PROJECT on the right of the window
•You can now change the project name if you wish. The project name is not important so it is OK to keep the default name.
•Leave the Location as the default.
•Click the CREATE button. It may take up to several minutes for the project to be created. Once ready, a notification will appear at the top-right of the page.
Step 2 - Enabling the Google Drive API
•Click on the + ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES link at the top of the page. You are then redirected to a page that let's you choose which API you want your project to use.
•In the search box (Search for APIs & Services) type Google Drive. A suggestion will appear with google drive api. Click that.
•Click on the Google Drive API entry.
•Click the Enable button. It may take a few moments to enable it.
Step 3 - Creating the Credentials and Adding Scopes
•Once enabled, click the CREATE CREDENTIALS button on the right.
•Click the Credentials item on the left of the window.
•Click the CONFIGURE CONSENT SCREEN button at the top-right on the window.
•Select External and click the CREATE button.
•In the App information section enter an App name, e.g. SyncBackPro, and select a user support email (which will be your Google email address).
•You do not need to choose an App logo
•Do not enter anything for the App domain
•Do not changed the Authorized domains
•For the Developer contact information, enter your Google email address
•Click SAVE AND CONTINUE
•You are now on the Scopes section. Click the ADD OR REMOTE SCOPES button.
•Select .../auth/userinfo.email and .../auth/userinfo.profile
•In the filter, type drive
•...and then press Enter
•Select .../auth/drive
•Scroll to the bottom and click the UPDATE button
•You should now have two entries in Your non-sensitive scopes (/auth/userinfo.email and /auth/userinfo.profile) and one in Your restricted scopes (/auth/drive)
•Click the SAVE AND CONTINUE button at the bottom of the window.
•For the Test users you should add your email address by clicking the ADD USERS button
•Click the SAVE AND CONTINUE button
•A Summary appears. Scroll to the bottom of the window and click the BACK TO DASHBOARD button.
Step 4 - Publishing
•You are returned to the OAuth consent screen. Click the PUBLISH APP button.
•When the Push to production? window appears, click the CONFIRM button.
•You are returned to the OAuth consent screen.
•DO NOT click the PREPARE FOR VERIFICATION button. Verification is not required.
•Click the Credentials item on the left of the window. Click the + CREATE CREDENTIALS link at the top of the window and select OAuth client ID.
•For application type, choose Desktop app and for the Name enter whatever you wish, e.g. SyncBackPro. Click the CREATE button.
•It may take some time to create the credentials. Once ready, a OAuth client created window will appear.
•You need the Client ID and the Client Secret. It is recommended you click the DOWNLOAD JSON link and save it to a file. SyncBackPro can read that file to retrieve the client ID and secret without you needing to copy and paste it into SyncBackPro.
•Click the OK button.
At any time in the future you can retrieve the ID and secret by going to the console, selecting this project, and going to the Credentials screen.
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