Kaizen #168 - Incremental Authorization

Kaizen #168 - Incremental Authorization


Welcome to this week's post in the Kaizen series. In this post, we will discuss Incremental Authorization. 

What is Incremental Authorization?

Incremental Authorization is an OAuth strategy that allows a client to request specific authorization scopes as and when needed. This means that the client does not have to request every possible scope that might be needed upfront, which might result in a bad user experience. Incremental Authorization is considered a best practice in Oauth Authorization Request as:
  • Users are not overloaded with scopes in the initial stage
  • Users can control the amount of data they share

Who can use Incremental Authorization?

Server-based applications can make use of incremental authorization 

Incremental Authorization Flow

Incremental Authorization Flow

When a user first signs into the application, the application requests only the essential permissions needed. The user may trigger features that require additional permissions as they engage with the application. When the application identifies this, it follows the below steps:

Initiation Request (Step 1: Get Scope Enhancement Token )

The application makes a POST request to the endpoint /oauth/v2/token/scopeenhance, including the existing refresh token as a parameter. This request is aimed at obtaining a scope enhancement token, which is necessary for requesting additional permissions.

Scope Enhancement Request (Step 2)

After receiving the scope enhancement token, the app then makes a request to the endpoint /oauth/v2/token/addextrascope. In this request, it specifies which additional scopes are needed.

User Consent

The user is presented with a consent screen that details the new permissions being requested. This screen will only show the new permissions required and not those already granted.
If the user approves these new permissions, the refresh token (used in Step 1) and its associated access tokens will be updated to include the newly granted scopes.

Success Response

Upon successful approval by the user, a success response is returned, confirming that the additional scopes have been appended to the existing refresh token.

When is Incremental Authorization Useful?

Let us take a look at two scenarios where incremental authorization is particularly useful.

Scenario 1 

Zylker Marketing, a marketing agency, utilizes a custom in-house marketing tool that integrates with Zoho CRM.  Initially, the tool has permission to read Leads in Zoho CRM. However, as the marketing team expands their operations, they realize that they require to create new Contacts based on sign-ups and retrieve existing deals data for analysis. The tool is then revamped to create Contacts and view Deals data. 
When a marketer who uses the tool tries to create a Contact for the first time, the incremental authorization method is called in the backend. The marketer is redirected to the Zoho login page. Once logged in, the marketer is prompted to give access to the new resources. This enhances the refresh token, and the tool can continue using the same refresh token. 

Scenario 2

Consider that you want to use a new Zoho CRM API that just got released as part of the version release. Your refresh token does not have the required scope to access the new API.  You can make use of incremental authorization to append the required scope to the same refresh token in these cases.

How can you use Incremental Authorization?

Step 1: Initiation Request 

First, you need to send a request to get the scope enhancement token along with the refresh token for which the extra access is required.

Request format

POST 
{accounts-url}/oauth/v2/token/scopeenhance
?grant_type=update_scopes_token
&client_id={client_id}
&client_secret={client_secret}
&refresh_token={refresh_token}


The accounts-url is specific to the location (i.e., datacenter) where the client is registered. See all the server-specific URLs.
Request Parameters 
You should send the initiation request with the below parameters. All parameters are mandatory
  • grant_type: Specify the value as "update_scopes_token".
  • client_id: Specify the client-id obtained from the API console.
  • client_secret: Specify client-secret obtained from the API console.
  • refresh_token: Specify the refresh token to which the additional scopes should be appended.
You will receive a response in the below format
{
"access_token": "{scope_enhancement_token}",
"token_type": "update_scope",
"expires_in": 600
}

The scope_enhancement_token received in this response should be passed as a parameter in the next step - scope enhancement request.

Step 2: Scope enhancement request

This request appends the refresh token with additional scopes.
Request format
GET
{accounts-url}/oauth/v2/token/addextrascope
?response_type=update_scopes
&client_id={client_id}
&redirect_uri={redirect_uri}
&scope={required_scopes}
&enhance_token={scope_enhancement_token}
&logout=true

Parameters
  • response_type: Specify the value as "update_scopes".
  • client_id: Specify the client-id obtained from the API console.
  • redirect_uri : Specify the URI to which the authorization server will redirect the browser back with success or failure response. It has to be the same URI which is provided when registering the app in the API console.
  • scope: Specify the scopes of the additional resources for which access is required.
  • enhance_token: Scope enhancement token received in the response of the previous initiation request. 
  • logout: Specify as true if the user's session should be terminated after the permission is granted or rejected.
When this request is called, the application redirects the user to the Zoho Login page, and the user enters the Zoho credentials. Then, the permissions required are displayed once the user is authenticated.
The refresh token will be appended with the additional scopes, and a success response will be returned when the user grants permission. The user will be redirected to the redirect_uri with params status as success and scope_enhanced as true. The user can continue using the same refresh token can be used. If the user rejects the authentication, the system returns a failure response.  The user will be redirected to the redirect_uri with params error as access_denied.

You will receive a response in the below formats:

Success Response
{redirect_uri}?status=success&scope_enhanced=true

Failure Response
{redirect_uri}?error=access_denied

We hope you found this post useful. We will meet you next week with another interesting topic!
If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section.
Cheers!


    • Sticky Posts

    • Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint

      Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.

    • Kaizen #226: Using ZRC in Client Script

      Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. In today's post, lets see what is ZRC (Zoho Request Client) and how we can use ZRC methods in Client Script to get inputs from a Salesperson and update the Lead status with a single button click. In this

    • Kaizen #222 - Client Script Support for Notes Related List

      Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. The final Kaizen post of the year 2025 is here! With the new Client Script support for the Notes Related List, you can validate, enrich, and manage notes across modules. In this post, we’ll explore how

    • Kaizen #217 - Actions APIs : Tasks

      Welcome to another week of Kaizen! In last week's post we discussed Email Notifications APIs which act as the link between your Workflow automations and you. We have discussed how Zylker Cloud Services uses Email Notifications API in their custom dashboard.

    • Kaizen #216 - Actions APIs : Email Notifications

      Welcome to another week of Kaizen! For the last three weeks, we have been discussing Zylker's workflows. We successfully updated a dormant workflow, built a new one from the ground up and more. But our work is not finished—these automated processes are

      • Recent Topics

      • Ability for admin to access or make changes in zoho form without asking for ownership

        Currently in zoho form only form owner can make the changes in the form and if someone else has to make changes then we have to transfer the ownership to them and even admin also cant access it . So i think admin must have the ability or option to access

      • Issue with WhatsApp Template Approval and Marketing Message Limit in Zoho Bigin

        We are facing issues while creating and using WhatsApp message templates through Zoho Bigin, and we request your clarification and support regarding the same. 1. Utility Template Approval Issue Until December, we were able to create WhatsApp templates

      • Zoho CRM Calendar View

        Hello Zoho team, We need desperately a calendar view next to list, kandan and other views. I think it should be easy to implement as you already have the logic from Projects and also from Kanban View in CRM. In calendar view when we set it up - we choose

      • Camera

        I can sign on to a meeting and see the other participants, but my screen is dark. The instructions for Zoho "Camera Settings" say "click on lock icon in address bar," but I don't see that icon! Suggestions?

      • What is Workqueue and how to hide it?

        Hi， My CRM suddenly have this "Workqueue", may I ask how to set the permission of this tab?

      • Batch/lot # and Storage bin location

        Hi I want to ask for a feature on Zoho inventory I own a warehouse and I've gone through different management software solutions with no luck until I found Zoho, it has been a game changer for my business with up to the minute information, I'm extremely happy with it. It's almost perfect. And I say Almost because the only thing missing for me (and I'm sure I'm not alone) is the need of being able to identify the lot number of my inventory and where it is located in the warehouse. Due to the nature

      • Adding Sender Address with Basic Plan

        According to the knowledge base, I should be able to add Sender addresses with the Basic Plan. But whenever I try to add an email, it takes me to a search window and I cannot find any emails in the list. Even mine, which is the admin. email.

      • Conditional Field Visibility in Bigin CRM

        I would like to request support for conditional field visibility within Bigin CRM. This feature should allow administrators to configure show/hide rules for fields based on predefined criteria (e.g., field values, picklist selections, stage changes,

      • Bill automation in Zoho Books

        Hi I am looking for 3rd-party options for bill automation in zoho which are economical and preferably have accurate scanning. What options do I have? Zoho's native scanning is a bit pricey

      • Reporting Tags

        We've been using reporting tags for years (before itemizing was available) and now we are finding reporting these tags are impossible to track. Reports have changed in the customization and our columns of reporting tags no longer show up. We do not use

      • Consumption based inventory

        I am currently using Zoho Books for my hospitality business, which includes lodging and restaurant services. We purchase many items in bulk for storage and consumption as needed. I'd like these items to be recorded as inventory when purchased and categorized

      • Smarter Access Control: Role-Based Access vs. Responsibility-Based Profiles

        Every business has roles, responsibilities, and workflows. While roles help define structure, responsibilities within those roles are rarely the same. As your team grows, some members need access to only a specific set of features. Others require visibility

      • Partner with HDFC And Sbi Bank.

        Hdfc and sbi both are very popular bank if zoho books become partner with this banks then many of the zoho books users will benefit premium features of partnered banks.

      • API in E-Invoice/GST portal

        Hi, Do I have to change the api in gst/e-invoice portal as I use zoho e books for my e-invoicing. If yes, please confirm the process.

      • Member role in zoho meeting

        does a user with member role can see other users in the organization

      • How to post more than 4 Images on Instagram?

        Hi I read several articles to the topic od how to post more than 4 images on instagram, but i can't figure out how it works. I can't find the content editor and i installesd the z share extension for google chrome. Could someone please help me? Than

      • Clone Recurring Expenses

        Our bookkeeping practices make extensive use of the "clone" feature for bills, expenses, invoices, etc. This cuts down significantly on both the amount of typing that needs to be done manually and, more importantly, the mental overhead of choosing the

      • Zoho Books - How to Invoke a Custom Function in Schedulers

        We have multiple schedulers that send emails to customers in batches. Currently, we are maintaining the same code across several schedulers. Is it possible to use a custom function inside a scheduler script? If yes, how can we invoke the custom function

      • Special characters (like â, â, æ) breaking when input in a field (encoding issue)

        Hey everyone, We are currently dealing with a probably encoding issue when we populate a field (mostly but not exclusively, 'Last Name' for Leads and Contracts). If the user manually inputs special characters (like ä, â, á etc.) from Scandinavian languages,

      • Set Custom Icon for Custom Modules in new Zoho CRM UI

      • Notes badge as a quick action in the list view

        Hello all, We are introducing the Notes badge in the list view of all modules as a quick action you can perform for each record, in addition to the existing Activity badge. With this enhancement, users will have quick visibility into the notes associated

      • Is Zoho Live Chat compatible with WordPress CMS?

        Hello, I have a website called www.jjrlab.com and I'm interested in using Zoho Chat on it. Does it support WordPress CMS? Thanks.

      • Introducing spam detection for webforms: An additional layer of protection to keep your Zoho CRM clean and secure

        Greetings all, One of the most highly anticipated feature launches—Spam Detection in webforms—has finally arrived! Webforms are a vital tool for record generation, but they're also vulnerable to submissions from unauthenticated or malicious sources, which

      • Bring your CRM and Desk app inside SalesIQ with widgets

        Have you ever been confused and frustrated with multiple open tabs and switching back and forth from SalesIQ to other apps to perform your business-specific operations? How effective would it be to have all the required tools and data of the apps you

      • Speak Your Customers' Language: SalesIQ's chatbots now support 30 languages 🤖

        We're unveiling some major upgrades to our chatbot that are set to revolutionize your experience! Now SalesIQ support 30 languages for both Zobot and Answer bot. By speaking your customers' language, you can enhance engagement, improve customer satisfaction,

      • Repeat Column merge in ZOHO writer columns doesn't allow to set max columns per row

        I'm using ZOHO writer to merge data from a ZOHO CRM subform and I want it to make a table. We're using Insert Table for Column Repeat, because this is what we need. (Name of column (Teamname) and underneath that a list of names of teammembers). It works

      • Persisting email signals to contact timeline?

        Hello there. Regarding the email signals that are logged when a contact opens an email, am I correct that these signals are not logged to a contact's timeline? Ideally, I would like to have this context available for future follow-ups, if the contact

      • Trouble with using Apostrophe in Name of Customers and Vendors

        We have had an ongoing issue with how the system recognizes an apostrophe in the name of customers and vendors. The search will not return any results for a name that includes the mark; ie one of our vendors names is "L'Heritage" and when entering the

      • Really want the field "Company" in the activities module!

        Hi team! Something we are really missing is able to see the field Company when working in the activities module. We have a lot of tasks and need to see what company it's related to. It's really annoying to not be able to see it.🙈 Thx!

      • Upcoming update to Google Drive integration in Zoho Creator

        Hello everyone, We're writing to inform you about an upcoming update to how Zoho Creator integrates with Google Drive. In Zoho Creator, during actions like importing files to create an app or attaching files to fields, you can choose files directly from

      • Managing Scheduled Replies

        Communication is most effective when the intended message reaches the right person at the right time. However, this can be challenging when communication occurs across different time zones. By scheduling replies, businesses can ensure that responses reach

      • Show price book list price

        When using price books, once you add products to the price book in the Products related list you can display the Unit price which is the default list price; however, there is no option to show the price book list price. To see the price book list price

      • Allow Attaching Quartz Recordings to Existing Zoho Support Tickets

        Hi Zoho Team, We would like to request an enhancement to how Zoho Quartz recordings integrate with Zoho Support tickets. Current Behavior: At the moment, each Quartz recording automatically creates a new support ticket. However, in many real-world scenarios:

      • Can I hide empty Contact fields from view?

        Some contacts have a lot of empty fields, others are mostly filled. Is there a way I can hide/show empty fields without changing the actual Layout? I would like to de-clutter my view, and also be able to add information later as I am able. I would be

      • Manage user roles and profiles from the Bigin app (iOS and macOS)

        Hello everyone! We're happy to announce that you can manage user roles and profiles from the Bigin mobile app. The Users & Controls section has three subsections: Users, Profiles, and Roles. Users Employees who belong to your Bigin organization are called

      • Support Bots and Automations in External Channels

        Hello Zoho Cliq Team, How are you? We actively use Zoho Cliq for collaboration, including with our external developers. For this purpose, external channels are a key tool since they work seamlessly within the same interface as all of our other channels

      • Form to PDF template

        I am looking to create a Form and when information is inputted, it will merge it into a PDF template we already have. There could be multiple lines in the form and each line inputs information into a new page of a PDF template.

      • Please verify my account

        Hi, We have just launched our website and received media coverage in our country. Hundreds of users are signing up for our platform every day. We would like to send them a welcome email, but we are unable to do so because our ZeptoMail account has not

      • Subject character limit increase

        We have an occasional user case where subject lines exceed 500 characters which is the ZeptoMail imposed limit. While I understand long subject lines are not "best practice", these are particular notification emails with specific information for client

      • Account blocked

        Yesterday I got my Zeptomail account blocked due to too many hard bounces. My account is used exclusively for sending transactional emails (eg. your order has been shipped, a form has been filled, etc) and the sudden blocking impacted hundreds of websites

      • Next Page