If the access token used in an API request to LinkedIn has expired, the request will fail and return an error. This is because LinkedIn access tokens are only valid for a limited time period before they expire.
Why Do LinkedIn Access Tokens Expire?
Access tokens are designed to expire for security reasons. Some of the key reasons LinkedIn access tokens have a limited validity period include:
- Preventing unauthorized long-term access if a token is compromised – With short-lived tokens, even if a hacker obtains an access token, they will only be able to use it for a limited window before it expires.
- Limiting damage from compromised tokens – Short-lived tokens limit the amount of access/damage a bad actor can inflict if they manage to get hold of an access token.
- Enforcing re-authentication – Expiring tokens force apps to re-authenticate users regularly rather than maintaining access indefinitely. This allows LinkedIn to validate that the user still authorizes the app.
- Rotating access – LinkedIn can issue new access tokens periodically to rotate credentials as an added security measure, preventing extensive use of any given token.
By expiring access tokens regularly, LinkedIn aims to ensure tokens do not remain valid indefinitely, which can pose security risks for users. The exact access token expiry time may depend on the token type and use case.
How Long Do LinkedIn Access Tokens Last?
The validity period of LinkedIn access tokens can vary based on the token type and scope of access it provides. Some common access token expiries include:
- User access tokens – Used to make API calls on behalf of a user. They typically last for 60 days.
- Application access tokens – Used by apps to access their own LinkedIn data. They last for 365 days.
- Page access tokens – For apps managing LinkedIn pages. Valid for 365 days.
In some cases, the tokens may be configured to last for shorter or longer durations, but the above are the typical defaults. LinkedIn does allow renewal of expired access tokens in some cases via refresh tokens. But ultimately the tokens are designed not to last indefinitely.
How To Check Access Token Expiry
There are a couple ways developers can check how long their LinkedIn access token will remain valid for:
- Check the expires_in field – When you first generate an access token, the response includes an “expires_in” field stating the validity window in seconds.
- Use API calls – The Accounts API and Assets API include /me endpoints that return details on the access token, including expiration time.
- Maintain your own timers – Track timestamps when you first generated the token to determine when it will expire.
These options allow developers to monitor time remaining on a token. Approaching expiration, you can use refresh tokens to obtain new access tokens and avoid disruptive expiry mid-operation.
How To Handle Expired Tokens
If your LinkedIn API call returns an error indicating the access token has expired, you have several options to recover access:
- Refresh tokens – Refresh tokens allow you to programmatically generate a new access token using the refresh token instead of going through full re-authorization. These are only available for some token types.
- Force token renewal – Prompt the user to re-authorize your app, forcing LinkedIn to return new access and refresh tokens.
- Redirect to authorization – For web apps, redirect the user to the authorization URL to grant access again, generating new tokens.
- Email/Notification – Use email or notifications to prompt your users to re-authenticate your app.
The right approach depends on your app type and context. The key is having processes in place to gracefully catch expired tokens and restore access, instead of your app just breaking with no recourse.
Best Practices For Handling Expired Tokens
Here are some best practices to effectively handle expired LinkedIn access tokens:
- Build in expiration monitoring – Actively check token expiry rather than waiting for failures. This allows proactively refreshing tokens.
- Use refresh tokens whenever possible – Refresh tokens are the most seamless way to obtain new access tokens programmatically.
- Refresh tokens ahead of time – Renew tokens at least a few minutes before they expire rather than cutting it too close.
- Have renewal handlers built-in – Gracefully catch authorization errors and call standard token renewal functions.
- Notify users – When forced renewal is needed, notify users in advance to provide a smooth UX.
- Request sufficient scopes – Be sure to request sufficient scopes when renewing tokens to avoid losing access.
- Store tokens securely – Follow best practices in securely storing tokens to avoid compromises forcing early renewal.
With the right token renewal handlers in place, you can build LinkedIn integrations that seamlessly maintain access even as tokens expire in the background. The key is being proactive about monitoring and renewal.
Can Expired Tokens Be Reused?
No, expired LinkedIn access tokens cannot be reused. Once a token passes its expiration time, it is permanently invalidated by LinkedIn’s servers. Any subsequent API calls using the expired token will be rejected.
To regain access after a token expires, your app must either use a valid refresh token to obtain a new access token, or force the user to re-authorize to generate an entirely new token set. The old expired access token will no longer work.
Expiry and invalidation of old tokens is by design to improve security, limit damage from compromises, and require periodic re-authorization. Allowing indefinite reuse of tokens would undermine these goals.
Troubleshooting Tips for Expired Tokens
Here are some troubleshooting tips if your LinkedIn API calls are failing due to expired access tokens:
- Inspect error responses – Verify the issue is specifically an expired token error. Other request problems can produce authorization failures.
- Double check scopes – If refreshing a token results in authorization errors, ensure you requested sufficient scopes during renewal.
- Try direct re-authorization – As a test, have the user directly re-authorize the LinkedIn connection to your app to confirm the refresh logic works.
- Check clocks – Ensure your system clock is accurate. Drastic clock skew can cause false token expiry detections.
- Review token storage – Confirm your app is correctly persisting and looking up tokens. Simple storage failures could result in using old tokens.
- Disable caching – Try disabling caching during debugging to ensure you are not using cached expired tokens.
With expired token issues, the most common causes are insufficient scopes, clock problems, or persistent storage failures resulting in stale tokens being used. Check those before investigating deeper issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I maximize the lifetime of my access tokens?
To maximize access token lifetime:
- Request the longest expiry permitted for your use case when first generating the tokens.
- Use refresh tokens to obtain new access tokens prior to expiration.
- Prompt users to re-authorize your app a few weeks before tokens expire.
- Store tokens securely and rotate credentials periodically.
Following these practices allows tokens to remain valid for their maximum permissible period.
What happens if I exceed the API call limits for a token?
If you exceed the rate or usage limits for a given access token, LinkedIn may expire your token early or reject your API calls with an error. This is done to prevent abuse. If you experience failures due to hitting limits, requesting additional scopes or tokens may be required to increase your caps.
Can I reuse expired page access tokens for other pages I manage?
No, you cannot reuse an expired page access token granted for one LinkedIn page to then manage other pages you control. Page tokens are tied specifically to the page they were initially issued for. To manage another page, you would need to directly obtain a new page access token for that specific page through the API authorization process.
Does unlinking my LinkedIn app also expire associated tokens?
Yes, if a LinkedIn user goes into their settings and disconnects your LinkedIn app integration, this will immediately and permanently expire any user access tokens associated with that authorization. Your app will have to re-authorize the user to obtain new access tokens for their account.
Conclusion
In summary, expired access tokens are a common issue that LinkedIn API developers need to handle gracefully. Monitor expiration proactively, refresh tokens ahead of time, catch authorization errors, and prompt users to re-connect when necessary. With robust token rotation and renewal handlers in place, you can deliver seamless LinkedIn integrations.