How to Create a Connected App in Salesforce: A Complete Guide

Want to integrate external applications with Salesforce? Knowing how to create a connected app in Salesforce is essential for enabling secure communication between Salesforce and third-party systems, such as mobile apps, web applications, or REST APIs. This guide explains how to create a new connected app in Salesforce, including steps for Salesforce Lightning and REST API integration, in a simple, beginner-friendly way. Whether you’re a developer or a business user, our step-by-step instructions will help you set up a connected app quickly.

What is a Connected App in Salesforce?

A connected app in Salesforce is a framework that allows external applications to securely access Salesforce data and perform actions using APIs, such as REST or SOAP. Connected apps use OAuth or SAML for authentication, ensuring secure and controlled access. For example, a mobile app might use a connected app to pull customer data from Salesforce, or a web app might integrate with Salesforce for real-time analytics.

According to Salesforce’s 2024 developer survey, over 60% of Salesforce implementations involve connected apps for integrations, highlighting their importance in modern business workflows.

Understanding how to create a connected app in Salesforce is key to unlocking these integrations.

Why Create a Connected App in Salesforce?

Creating a connected app enables seamless integration between Salesforce and external systems. Here’s why businesses need to know how to create a new connected app in Salesforce:

• Secure Data Access: Connected apps use OAuth to authenticate users, ensuring only authorized systems access Salesforce data.
• API Integration: Enable how to create a connected app in Salesforce for REST API to allow external apps to interact with Salesforce data programmatically.
• Custom Workflows: Integrate third-party tools like Slack, Zapier, or custom apps to streamline business processes.
• Scalability: Connected apps support businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.
• Enhanced User Experience: Allow users to access Salesforce data from external apps without logging in repeatedly.

How to Create a Connected App in Salesforce: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s walk through how to create a connected app in Salesforce Lightning. These steps also apply to creating a connected app for REST API or other integrations.

Follow this guide to set up a new connected app:

Step 1: Log in to Salesforce

Sign in to your Salesforce org with administrator credentials. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to manage connected apps.

Step 2: Navigate to Setup

In Salesforce Lightning, click the gear icon in the top-right corner and select Setup. In Classic, click Setup in the top menu.

Step 3: Access Connected Apps

In the Setup menu, type “App Manager” in the Quick Find search box and select App Manager. This is where you’ll create your connected app.

Step 4: Create a New Connected App

Click New Connected App to start configuring your app. Here’s how to set it up:

Basic Information:

Connected App Name: Enter a unique name (e.g., “MyApp_Integration”).

• API Name: Auto-generated based on the app name.
• Contact Email: Provide an admin email for notifications.
• API (Enable OAuth Settings): Check Enable OAuth Settings to allow API access.
• Callback URL: Enter the URL where Salesforce redirects after authentication (e.g., “https://yourapp.com/callback”).
• Selected OAuth Scopes: Choose permissions like “Access and manage your data (api)” or “Perform requests on your behalf (refresh_token, offline_access)” for REST API access.

Other Settings:

Require Secret for Web Server Flow: Enable for added security.

• Enable SAML: Optional for single sign-on (SSO) setups.

Step 5: Save and Configure

Click Save. It may take a few minutes for the app to be created. Once saved, you’ll see the Consumer Key and Consumer Secret, which are needed for API integrations.

Step 6: Manage App Permissions

Go to Manage Connected Apps in Setup, select your app, and click Edit Policies. Set OAuth policies, such as “Admin-approved users are pre-authorized,” to control access.

Step 7: Test the Connected App

Test the app by initiating an OAuth flow or making a REST API call using the Consumer Key and Secret. For example, use Postman to test how to create a connected app in Salesforce for REST API by sending a request to Salesforce’s API endpoint.

Step 8: Deploy and Monitor

Share the Consumer Key and Secret with your external application securely. Monitor the app’s usage in Salesforce to ensure it’s functioning as expected.

Need Help? Contact Our Experts

How to Create a Connected App in Salesforce for REST API

Creating a connected app for REST API integration follows the same steps above but requires specific OAuth settings. Here’s what to focus on:

• Enable OAuth: Select scopes like “api,” “refresh_token,” and “offline_access” to allow API access.
• Callback URL: Ensure the external app’s callback URL is correctly configured.
• Security Tokens: Use the Consumer Key and Secret for authentication in API calls.

For example, a developer building a mobile app can use the connected app to retrieve customer data from Salesforce via REST API, enabling real-time updates on the go.

Create a Connected App in Salesforce Lightning

The process for creating a connected app in Salesforce Lightning is identical to the steps above, as Salesforce Lightning uses the same App Manager interface. However, Lightning offers a more intuitive UI and additional features:

• Enhanced Navigation: The Lightning interface makes it easier to find and configure connected apps.
  Lightning Components: Integrate connected apps with Lightning components for custom UI in Salesforce.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Use Lightning’s dashboards to track app performance.

For instance, a business using Salesforce Lightning can create a connected app to integrate with a custom web portal, enhancing user experience with a modern interface.

Benefits of Creating Connected Apps in Salesforce

Knowing how to create a new connected app in Salesforce unlocks several advantages:

• Seamless Integrations: Connect Salesforce with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, or custom apps.
• Improved Efficiency: Automate data sharing between systems, reducing manual work.
• Enhanced Security: OAuth ensures only authorized apps access Salesforce data.
• Scalability: Supports integrations for small businesses and large enterprises alike.
• Better User Experience: Users can access Salesforce data from external apps without multiple logins.

A 2023 Salesforce report found that businesses using connected apps saw a 30% increase in workflow efficiency due to streamlined integrations.

Best Practices for Creating Connected Apps

To ensure success when learning how to create a connected app in Salesforce, follow these tips:

• Use Descriptive Names: Choose clear app names to avoid confusion (e.g., “CustomerPortal_Integration”).
• Secure Credentials: Store Consumer Key and Secret securely, avoiding public exposure.
• Limit OAuth Scopes: Assign only the necessary permissions to minimize security risks.
• Test Thoroughly: Validate the app with tools like Postman before deployment.
• Monitor Usage: Regularly check app performance and access logs in Salesforce.