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Connected App

A Connected App in Zoho CRM is an OAuth 2.0 client registration that enables external applications to authenticate with Zoho CRM and…

A Connected App in Zoho CRM is an OAuth 2.0 client registration that enables external applications to authenticate with Zoho CRM and access its API. Creating a Connected App generates a Client ID and Client Secret, which are used in the OAuth flow to obtain access tokens for making authenticated API calls.

Creating a Connected App

Connected Apps are registered in the Zoho API Console. You choose the client type (Web Application, Self Client, or Server-based Application), specify the authorized redirect URIs, and select the scopes (permissions) the app needs. The console generates a Client ID and Client Secret that are used in the OAuth 2.0 authorization flow.

OAuth Scopes

Zoho CRM API scopes control what the Connected App can access. For example, ZohoCRM.modules.ALL grants read and write access to all CRM modules, while ZohoCRM.modules.leads.READ grants read-only access to the Leads module. Following the principle of least privilege, Connected Apps should request only the scopes they actually need.

Industry Example

Integration Partner: Aaxonix builds a custom Zoho CRM to Tally integration for a client. A Connected App is registered in the Zoho API Console with only the scopes needed: read access to Contacts, Accounts, and Invoices modules. The integration uses these credentials to sync data between Zoho CRM and Tally daily, and the limited scope ensures the integration cannot accidentally modify or delete CRM records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Connected App in Zoho CRM?

A Connected App is an OAuth 2.0 client registration that enables external applications to authenticate with Zoho CRM’s API. It generates a Client ID and Client Secret used in the OAuth flow to obtain access tokens for making authorised API calls.

Do I need a Connected App to use the Zoho CRM REST API?

Yes. All Zoho CRM REST API calls require OAuth 2.0 authentication, which requires a Connected App registration. The app registration gives you the Client ID and Client Secret needed to generate access tokens.

Need help implementing this in Zoho?

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