Gmail and Google

What we need

2 values (a Client ID and a Client Secret), then one short sign-in

Time

about 15 minutes, plus a 5-minute sign-in at the end

Who can do this

anyone with the Google account we are automating. For company accounts, an admin is best.

Plan needed

none. This part of Google Cloud is free.

What is happening here

Google does not give out simple keys for Gmail. Instead, you create a small private "connection" in Google Cloud. It belongs to you. Only your account (or your company) can use it.

There are 4 parts:

1. Create a project. This is a folder in Google Cloud.
2. Switch on Gmail (and any other Google tools we need).
3. Fill in a short form about the connection.
4. Create the keys and send them to us.

At the end you sign in once with Google to say "yes, allow this".

Before you start

• Which Google tools we need. We will tell you. Usually Gmail. Sometimes also Google Drive, Sheets or Calendar.
• The redirect address we sent you. It looks like https://YOUR-N8N-DOMAIN/rest/oauth2-credential/callback.
• OneTimeSecret open in another tab. How it works.
• Know which kind of account you have:

Step 1: Create a project

1. Open Google Cloud

   Go to console.cloud.google.com. Log in with the Google account we are automating. If asked, accept the terms.

2. Open the project list

   At the top of the page, click the project picker. It may say Select a project.

3. Create a new project

   Click New project. Name it n8n automations. Leave the other fields as they are. Click Create.

4. Select it

   Wait a few seconds. Open the project picker again and click your new project. Its name now shows at the top of the page.

   Done

   Always check the project name at the top before each step below.

Step 2: Switch on the Google tools

1. Open the API Library

   Go to the API Library. You can also use the menu: APIs & Services then Library.

2. Switch on Gmail

   Search for Gmail API. Click it. Click Enable.

3. Switch on the others we asked for

   Go back to the Library. Do the same for each tool on our list:

   • Google Drive API
   • Google Sheets API
   • Google Calendar API
   • Google Docs API

   Only switch on the ones we asked for.

   Note

   If we need Sheets or Docs, also switch on Google Drive API. They need it to work.

Step 3: Fill in the connection form

Google calls this the Google Auth Platform. It used to be called the "OAuth consent screen".

1. Open Google Auth Platform

   Go to Google Auth Platform. Click Get started.

2. App information

   For App name, type n8n automations. For User support email, pick your own email. Click Next.

3. Audience: who can use it

   This choice matters. Pick based on your account type.

   Google Workspace

   Choose Internal. Click Next.

   Internal means only people in your company can use it. Google does not need to review it. The connection does not expire.

   Personal Gmail

   Choose External. Click Next.

   Internal is greyed out for personal Gmail. That is normal.

4. Contact information

   Type your email address. Click Next.

5. Finish

   Tick the box to agree to the Google API Services: User Data Policy. Click Continue, then Create.

Personal Gmail only: add yourself as a test user

Step 4: Create the keys

1. Open Clients

   In the Google Auth Platform menu on the left, click Clients. Or go to the Clients page.

2. Create a client

   Click Create client.

3. Choose the type

   For Application type, choose Web application. For Name, type n8n.

4. Add our redirect address

   Scroll to Authorized redirect URIs. Click Add URI. Paste the redirect address we sent you.

   Careful

   Paste it exactly. No space at the start or end. One wrong letter and the sign-in fails.

5. Create

   Leave Authorized JavaScript origins empty. Click Create.

6. Copy both values now

   A window opens with your Client ID and Client Secret. Copy both into a note, each with its name.

   Careful

   Google only shows the Client Secret this one time. Copy it before you close the window. You can also click Download JSON to save a copy. If you lose it, see "I closed the window before copying the secret" below.

Step 5: Send it to us

Your note should look like this:

Client ID: 1234567890-abc...apps.googleusercontent.com
Client Secret: GOCSPX-...

Step 6: Sign in with Google (5 minutes)

This is the last step. We set up the connection in our automation tool (n8n). Then we send you a link, and you approve it with your Google account.

1. Click 'Sign in with Google'

   Open the link we sent you and click Sign in with Google.

2. Pick your account

   Choose the Google account we are automating.

3. Approve

   Google lists what the connection can do, for example "Read, compose and send emails". Tick the boxes if shown. Click Continue or Allow.

   Google Workspace

   You should go straight through.

   Personal Gmail

   You will see Google hasn't verified this app. This is expected. The app is yours, so it is safe. Click Continue.

Simpler alternative

Don't want to do Steps 1 to 5? We can skip them. We use our own existing Google connection instead. You only do Step 6, with a sign-in link we send you.

• This only works if your company allows it. Some Google Workspace admins block outside apps. If yours does, your admin can allow our app, or you follow the full guide above.
• For personal Gmail, Google may show a warning or limit how long the sign-in lasts. We will tell you before you start.

Reply to our email if you want this option.

Something not right?

_{Last checked: 22 Oct 2026 against n8n's Google OAuth docs, Google's OAuth client docs and Google's audience docs.}

Doing several tools? Tick them all on Your tools and get one prompt or checklist.