Connecting and Authenticating Apps
Learn how to securely connect your apps and accounts to an automation platform, understanding authentication methods like OAuth and API keys so your Zaps and scenarios can act on your behalf.
Why Apps Need Connecting
An automation platform like Zapier or Make can only move data between your apps if those apps grant it access. Before any workflow runs, you must connect each app you want to use.
A connection tells the platform: it is allowed to read from or write to this account on your behalf.
What Is an App Connection?
A connection is a stored, authorized link between the automation platform and one of your accounts — for example your Gmail, your Slack workspace, or your CRM.
Once made, you can reuse the same connection across many workflows without logging in each time.
All lessons in this course
- Platform Overview: Zapier & Make
- Building Your First Simple Zap
- Testing and Troubleshooting Basics
- Connecting and Authenticating Apps