How to Set Up Google Social Login for BuddyBoss

Introduction

Google Social Login allows users to log in and register on your BuddyBoss Platform (Web and App) using their Google accounts. 

This guide walks you through enabling and configuring Google Social Login to enhance user convenience and simplify the registration process.

Prerequisites and Key Considerations

App Publishing Requirements

• If Social Login is enabled in the BuddyBoss App, both Google and Apple Social Logins are required for publishing on app stores. Even if other social providers (e.g., Facebook, X, LinkedIn) are used, Google and Apple remain mandatory to ensure compatibility with device-associated accounts.
• Google and Apple Social Logins are optional only if the BuddyBoss App exclusively uses your company’s account sign-in system.

Important Note: Any changes to the Social Login settings require new builds for both iOS and Android apps. Ensure to regenerate and publish updated app versions after making any modifications.

Required Information for Google Social Login

To enable Google Social Login, you need the following details:

Web

• Client ID
• Client Secret

Android and iOS App (BuddyBoss App customers only)

• Client ID
• Test Build Client ID
  

Creating a Google App for Social Login

Follow the steps below to create a Google App and obtain the required Client ID and Client Secret.

Step 1: Access Google Developer Console

1. Navigate to Google Developer Console.
2. Log in using your Google credentials.

Step 2: Create or Select a Project

• If you don’t have a project:
  1. Click the blue Create Project text on the top right.
  2. Name your project and click Create.
• If you already have a project:
  1. Select the existing project from the top bar.

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2. Alternatively, click New Project in the modal to create a new one.

3. Name your project and then click on the “Create” button again.

4. Once you have a project, you will end up in the dashboard.

Step 3: Configure the OAuth Consent Screen

1. In the Dashboard, click on the OAuth consent screen from the left-hand menu.
2. Choose a User Type:
   
   
   
   • External: If you want to enable Google Social Login for any user with a Google account.
   • Internal: Only available for Google Workspace users.

Note: BuddyBoss does not use sensitive or restricted scopes. If you plan to use this app for other purposes, you may need to undergo an independent security review.

3. Fill in the required fields:
   • App Name: Enter a name for your app (this is displayed during consent).
   • User Support Email: Select an email address for user inquiries about consent.

• Application Home Page: Enter your website’s URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.com).
• Privacy Policy and Terms of Service links: Enter the relevant URLs in the “Application privacy policy link” and “Application terms of service link” fields

• Authorized Domains: Click Add Domain and enter your domain name without subdomains (e.g., yourdomain.com).

• Developer Contact Information: Enter an email address for Google notifications.
  

4. Click Save and Continue through the Scopes and Test Users pages without changes.

Step 4: Create OAuth Credentials

1. Go to Credentials in the left-hand menu.
2. Click the + Create Credentials button at the top.
3. Select OAuth Client ID.

4. Choose Web Application as the Application Type.
5. Enter a Name for the OAuth Client ID.

Step 5: Enter Authorized Redirect URIs

1. Under Authorized Redirect URIs, click Add URI. Enter the following URL:
   https://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php?bb_social_login=google
2. Click Create.

Step 6: Copy Client ID and Client Secret

• A modal will pop up displaying your Client ID and Client Secret.

• If the modal does not appear:
  • Go to Credentials from the left-hand menu.
  • Click on your app’s name to view and copy the Client ID and Client Secret.

Step 7: Publishing the App

• Initially, your app will be in Testing mode, which limits usage to a select number of users.
• To make the app available to any user with a Google account:
  1. Go to OAuth consent screen.
  2. Under Publishing status, click PUBLISH APP.

3. Click Confirm to finalize.

Enabling Google Social Login for the BuddyBoss App

To enable Google Social Login on your BuddyBoss App, follow the steps below for both Android and iOS. Ensure that you repeat the process for your Test app to guarantee consistent functionality across all versions.

For Android

Step 1: Create OAuth Client ID for Android

1. Navigate to the Credentials tab in the Google Developer Console.
2. Click on + Create Credentials.
3. Select OAuth Client ID.

4. Choose Android as the Application Type.
5. Enter a Name for this Client ID to easily identify it later.

Step 2: Enter Package Name and SHA-1 Certificate Fingerprint

1. In the Package Name field, enter your Release App Application ID.

2. To find this ID:
   • Go to WordPress Dashboard > BuddyBoss App > Configure > Android Settings > App Configuration.
   • Locate and enter the SHA-1 Certificate Fingerprint.

Step 3: Get SHA-1 Certificate Fingerprint

1. Log in to your Google Developer Console.
2. Click on your App from the list of projects.

3. In the sidebar menu, navigate to Test & Release > Setup > App Signing.
4. Copy the SHA-1 Certificate Fingerprint displayed on the page.

Important Note:
If you are configuring for a Release app or Test app, navigate to WordPress Dashboard > BuddyBoss App > Build > Install on Android Device.
This will download the SHA-1 Certificate Fingerprint specific to the app version.

Step 4: Complete Configuration

1. Click Create to generate the Client ID.

2. Copy the Client ID and paste it into the Client ID field for the Android App in your BuddyBoss App settings.

Important Note:
Repeat these steps for your Test app using its specific Application ID and SHA-1 Certificate Fingerprint.
This ensures that both your main app and test app are correctly configured for Google Social Login.

For iOS

Step 1: Create OAuth Client ID for iOS

1. In the Credentials tab on the Google Developer Console, click + Create Credentials.
2. Select OAuth Client ID.

3. Choose iOS as the Application Type.
4. Enter a Name for this Client ID for easy identification.

Step 2: Enter Bundle ID

1. In the Bundle ID field, enter your Release App Bundle ID.

2. To find this:
   • Navigate to WordPress Dashboard > BuddyBoss App > Configure > iOS Settings > App Configuration.
   • Copy the Bundle ID and paste it into the Bundle ID field.

Step 3: Enter App Store and Team ID

1. App Store ID:
   
   • Log in to your App Store Connect account.
   • Select your app from the list.
   • Go to App Information under the General section in the left sidebar.
   • Copy your Apple ID and paste it into the App Store ID field.
2. Team ID:
   
   • Log in to your Apple Developer account.
   • Scroll down to the Membership Details section.
   • Copy your Team ID and paste it into the relevant field.

Step 4: Complete Configuration

1. Click Create to generate the Client ID.

2. Copy the Client ID and paste it into the Client ID field for the iOS App in your BuddyBoss App settings.

Important Note:
Repeat these steps for your Test app using its specific App Bundle ID.
This ensures that both your main app and test app are correctly configured for Google Social Login.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: Why is the Google Social Login not appearing on my site?

A: Ensure Enable Social Login is checked in BuddyBoss Settings. Verify that the Client ID and Client Secret are correctly entered and saved.

Q: Why am I seeing an error message when logging in with Google?

A: Double-check the API keys and secret credentials. Confirm that the OAuth Consent Screen is published.

Q: Why is the Social Login checkbox greyed out?

A: Click the pencil icon next to Google Social Login and select Verify Settings to ensure all configurations are correct.