Implement Google Login in PHP for secure user authentication.

Google Login adoption enhances security and engagement, reduces password fatigue, and boosts retention, helping websites streamline authentication for millions of users globally.

Key Points

85% of users favor social login instead of creating new accounts on websites.
Websites with Google Login experience a 50% decrease in forgotten password requests.
User retention increases by 30% when seamless OAuth login is implemented.

Google Login is one of the most popular authentication methods, allowing users to sign in with their Google account securely. Instead of memorizing multiple usernames and passwords, users can authenticate directly through Google OAuth, providing both convenience and security.

In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of implementing Google Login in PHP. You will learn how to configure Google OAuth in the Google Developers Console, set up a PHP backend to handle authentication, and retrieve user information for your application.

Whether you’re building a custom eCommerce website or a SaaS platform, integrating Google OAuth simplifies user authentication and enhances user experience.

Step 1: Configure Google Console

Before writing any PHP code, set up Google OAuth in the Google Developers Console.

Steps to Configure Google Console:

1. Go to the Google Cloud Console and create a new project.

2. Navigate to API & Services > Credentials.

3. Before creating credentials, set up the OAuth consent screen by providing application details such as:

Application Name
User Type (External for public apps)
Authorized domains

4. Under Credentials, select Create Credentials → OAuth Client ID.

Application Type: Select Web Application
Authorized Redirect URIs: Add the URL where Google should redirect after login (e.g., http://localhost/google-login/callback.php)

5. Copy the Client ID and Client Secret. You will need them in your PHP project.

Step 2: Install the Google API Client in PHP

Google provides an official PHP library to handle OAuth.

Install it using Composer:

                                        composer require google/apiclient:^2.0

This package helps you integrate Google OAuth easily, making it simpler to provide website development services with secure login features.

Step 3: Setup Google Login in PHP

Now, let’s set up the Google Login feature in PHP.

1. Create a config.php file to store credentials:

                                        <?php
require_once 'vendor/autoload.php';

$client = new Google_Client();
$client->setClientId("YOUR_GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID");
$client->setClientSecret("YOUR_GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET");
$client->setRedirectUri("http://localhost/google-login/callback.php");
$client->addScope("email");
$client->addScope("profile");

This configuration file sets up the Google OAuth client.

2. Create index.php for Google Login Button

                                        <?php
require_once 'config.php';
$loginUrl = $client->createAuthUrl();
?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Google Login with PHP</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h2>Login with Google</h2>
    <a href="<?php echo $loginUrl; ?>">Login with Google</a>
</body>
</html>

This will generate a Google Login URL dynamically.

3. Create callback.php to Handle Google Response

                                        <?php
require_once 'config.php';

if (isset($_GET['code'])) {
    $token = $client->fetchAccessTokenWithAuthCode($_GET['code']);
    $client->setAccessToken($token);

    // Get user profile info
    $google_service = new Google_Service_Oauth2($client);
    $userData = $google_service->userinfo->get();

    // Store user data in session or database
    session_start();
    $_SESSION['id'] = $userData['id'];
    $_SESSION['email'] = $userData['email'];
    $_SESSION['name'] = $userData['name'];
    $_SESSION['picture'] = $userData['picture'];

    // Redirect to dashboard or profile page
    header("Location: dashboard.php");
    exit();
} else {
    echo "Login failed!";
}

This script exchanges the authorization code for an access token, retrieves user data, and stores it in a session or saves it to your database. Hiring a skilled PHP developer can efficiently handle this for any custom website development project.

4. Create dashboard.php to Show User Info

                                        <?php
session_start();
if (!isset($_SESSION['email'])) {
    header("Location: index.php");
    exit();
}
?>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>User Dashboard</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h2>Welcome <?php echo $_SESSION['name']; ?>!</h2>
    <img src="<?php echo $_SESSION['picture']; ?>" alt="Profile Picture"><br>
    <p>Email: <?php echo $_SESSION['email']; ?></p>
    <a href="logout.php">Logout</a>
</body>
</html>

5. Create logout.php

                                        <?php
session_start();
session_destroy();
header("Location: index.php");
exit();

Step 4: Test and Deploy

Start your local PHP server:

                                        php -S localhost:8000

Open http://localhost/google-login/index.php.
Click Login with Google → You will be redirected to the consent screen.
Once approved, Google redirects you back to your callback.php with user details.
Deploy your application to hosting services such as AWS, DigitalOcean, or shared hosting.

Why Google Login Matters in PHP Applications

Google Login is not just a convenient option; it’s a robust authentication method that boosts modern PHP applications by:

Reducing Password Fatigue: Users don’t need to remember multiple login credentials.
Enhancing Security: OAuth reduces risks associated with weak or leaked passwords.
Boosting User Experience: One-click login encourages more signups and engagement.

At Digittrix, we focus on developing mobile and web apps that include secure authentication features like Google Login. You can also hire a PHP developer from our team to implement these solutions efficiently, ensuring your website remains secure and user-friendly.

If you’re planning to develop secure authentication, eCommerce platforms, or business dashboards, contact us today!