OAuth 2.0 Setup in ServiceNow

[Tushar]

Integrations in ServiceNow can sometimes feel like wrestling with a puzzle, but setting up OAuth 2.0 doesn’t have to be a headache. I recently implemented this, and it looks straightforward process, which was quick, clean, and reliable. Here’s something I documented to get you connecting ServiceNow to external systems with ease.

What You Need from Your Client

To kick things off, you’ll need just three pieces of info from your client. Keep it simple:

• Token URL: The endpoint where ServiceNow will fetch the access token.

• Client ID: The unique identifier for your application.

• Client Secret: The secure key for authentication.

That’s all! No user credentials are required—just a clean backend-to-backend connection.

Step-by-Step Setup in ServiceNow

Here’s how to configure OAuth 2.0 in ServiceNow without breaking a sweat:

1. Set Up a REST Message
   Start by creating a REST Message in ServiceNow (System Web Services > Outbound > REST Message). This will be the foundation of your integration.

2. Create an OAuth Profile
   Navigate to System OAuth > Application Registry and click New.

   • Select Connect to a third-party OAuth Provider.

   • Give it a clear, descriptive name (e.g., “Externalsystem_OAuth”).

   • Enter the Client ID, Client Secret, and Token URL provided by the client.

   • Set the Default Grant Type to Client Credentials.

   • Save the record.

3. Configure the OAuth Entity Profile
   After saving, scroll down to the OAuth Entity Profile related list and open the profile.

   • Double-check that the Grant Type is set to Client Credentials here too.

   • Save again.

   Pro Tip: Missing this step is a common gotcha! Always verify the grant type in both the main profile and the entity profile to avoid token issues.

4. Link the OAuth Profile to Your REST Message
   Head back to your REST Message (or IntegrationHub action, if you’re using it).

   • In the Authentication section, select your newly created OAuth Profile.

   • ServiceNow will now handle the authentication seamlessly.

Why This Setup Rocks

One of the best parts? ServiceNow takes care of token refreshes automatically. No need to write custom scripts or worry about expired tokens—it’s all handled in the background. This makes your integration low-maintenance and reliable.

Final Thoughts

Setting up OAuth 2.0 in ServiceNow doesn’t have to be daunting. With just a few pieces of info from your client and a couple of minutes in the platform, you can have a secure, automated integration up and running. I’ve used this approach in multiple projects, and it’s saved me from hours of troubleshooting.

[SravithaM]

This is well explained in a step-by-step method, thank you for simplifying the steps and gathering the most important points for the set up.