Google api

Source: Dev.to

Hi everyone,

Recently I’ve been working on a small app and decided to go all‑in with Google APIs. I’d like to share some thoughts for anyone who’s considering this approach.

What I’m using

• Google Sign‑In (standard OAuth2)
• Google Drive API for backup & restore
• Offline‑first architecture
  • The app works normally even without an internet connection.
  • A sync queue is maintained and automatically syncs once the network is back.

What this enables

• Data backup to Google Drive (private app folder).
• Multi‑device sync when users sign in with the same Google account.

What I like about this approach

• No need for users to create a new account → Google login is enough.
• Switching devices or resetting the phone doesn’t cause data loss.
• Drive API is quite safe if you use the right scopes (no sensitive permissions).
• Much smoother user experience compared to local‑only storage.

Some technical notes (for fellow devs)

• Design the data model for offline‑first from day one (handle conflicts, versioning).
• Sync logic shouldn’t be “push everything” — batching + checksums matter.
• Limit Drive scopes (e.g., appDataFolder) to pass review more easily.
• Always handle the case where users revoke Google permissions.

I think this approach fits well for

• Personal apps / utility tools.
• Apps that want to avoid maintaining a complex backend.

App link:
Product page: