How to Seamlessly Integrate Google Login in Laravel (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Quick Guide: Add Google Login to Laravel

This guide provides the minimal steps to get Google login working in a Laravel project using Socialite.

Step 1: Get Google API Credentials

1. Go to the Google Cloud Console.

2. Create a new project.

3. Go to APIs & Services > OAuth consent screen.

   • Choose External and fill in the required app name, support email, and developer contact.

4. Go to APIs & Services > Credentials.

   • Click + Create Credentials > OAuth client ID.

   • Set Application type to Web application.

   • Under Authorized redirect URIs, add your callback URL. For local testing:

     http://127.0.0.1:8000/auth/google/callback
     

5. Click Create. Copy the Client ID and Client Secret.

Step 2: Install and Configure Laravel Socialite

1. Install the package:

   composer require laravel/socialite

    

2. Add credentials to .env

   GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID=YOUR_CLIENT_ID
   GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET
   GOOGLE_CALLBACK_URL=http://127.0.0.1:8000/auth/google/callback

3. Add config to config/services.php

   'google' => [
       'client_id' => env('GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID'),
       'client_secret' => env('GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET'),
       'redirect' => env('GOOGLE_CALLBACK_URL'),
   ],

Step 3: Update User Database

1. Create a migration:

   php artisan make:migration add_google_id_to_users_table --table=users

    

2. Edit the new migration file (in database/migrations/):

   public function up()
   {
       Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
           $table->string('google_id')->nullable()->unique()->after('id');
           $table->string('password')->nullable()->change(); // Make password nullable
       });
   }
   
   public function down()
   {
       Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
           $table->dropColumn('google_id');
           $table->string('password')->nullable(false)->change();
       });
   }

3. Run the migration:

   php artisan migrate

4. Update User Model (in app/Models/User.php):

   protected $fillable = [
       'name',
       'email',
       'password',
       'google_id', // Add this
   ];

Step 4: Define Routes

In addition, add two routes for the login process:

use App\Http\Controllers\GoogleLoginController;

Route::get('/auth/google/redirect', [GoogleLoginController::class, 'redirectToGoogle'])->name('google.redirect');
Route::get('/auth/google/callback', [GoogleLoginController::class, 'handleGoogleCallback'])->name('google.callback');

Step 5: Create the Controller

1. Create the controller:

2. php artisan make:controller GoogleLoginController

3. Add the logic (to app/Http/Controllers/GoogleLoginController.php):

4. <?php
   
   namespace App\Http\Controllers;
   
   use Illuminate\Http\Request;
   use Laravel\Socialite\Facades\Socialite;
   use App\Models\User;
   use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;
   use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Hash;
   use Illuminate\Support\Str;
   
   class GoogleLoginController extends Controller
   {
       // Redirect user to Google
       public function redirectToGoogle()
       {
           return Socialite::driver('google')->redirect();
       }
   
       // Handle the callback from Google
       public function handleGoogleCallback()
       {
           try {
               $googleUser = Socialite::driver('google')->user();
   
               // Find or create user
               $user = User::updateOrCreate(
                   ['google_id' => $googleUser->id],
                   [
                       'name' => $googleUser->name,
                       'email' => $googleUser->email,
                       'password' => Hash::make(Str::random(24)) // Set a random password
                   ]
               );
   
               // Log the user in
               Auth::login($user);
   
               return redirect('/dashboard'); // Redirect to your desired page
   
           } catch (\Exception $e) {
               // Handle error
               return redirect('/login')->with('error', 'Login with Google failed!');
           }
       }
   }

Step 6: Add the Login Button

In your login.blade.php file (or any other view), add the link:

<a href="{{ route('google.redirect') }}">
    Login with Google
</a>

Conclusion:

Adding Google login to your Laravel app is a fast and powerful way to improve user experience. By using the Socialite package, you replace complex registration forms with a secure, one-click login, which can increase sign-ups and make your users happier.