How to setup authenticated routes in Bubble.io: Step-by-Step Guide

Setting Up Authenticated Routes in Bubble.io

Creating authenticated routes in Bubble.io involves setting up user authentication and configuring page workflows to manage access based on the user's authentication status. This guide will walk you step-by-step through the process of setting up authenticated routes in Bubble.io, ensuring that your application appropriately restricts access to certain pages based on whether or not a user is logged in.

Prerequisites

• An active Bubble.io account with a basic project set up.
• Understanding of Bubble.io's UI and workflow management.
• Familiarity with basic concepts of user authentication.

Understanding Authenticated Routes

• Authenticated routes are pages that can only be accessed by users who are logged into the application.
• These routes ensure that sensitive or user-specific information is protected and only accessible to authorized users.

Setting Up User Authentication

• Open your Bubble.io project and go to the "Data" tab.
• Make sure you have a User data type in your database. Bubble's default "User" type includes fields like email and password.
• Navigate to the "Design" tab. Add input fields for users to enter their email and password, as well as buttons for "Login" and "Signup".

Creating Workflows for User Authentication

• Switch to the "Workflow" tab.
• Set up a workflow for the signup button:
  • Event: When the signup button is clicked.
  • Action: "Sign the user up" using the input email and password fields.
• Set up a workflow for the login button:
  • Event: When the login button is clicked.
  • Action: "Log the user in" using the input email and password fields.
• Optionally, set up logout functionality with a simple button and a "Log the user out" action.

Defining Authenticated Routes

• Identify which pages in your application should be restricted to authenticated users.
• Add conditions in your page workflows to check if a user is logged in.
• Within the "Design" tab, navigate to a restricted page and set the following workflow condition:
  • Event: "Page is loaded".
  • Only when: Current User isn’t logged in.
  • Action: Redirect to another page (e.g., login or homepage).

Configuring Access Control

• For premium or admin-only content, add additional checks:
  • Extend user data type to include roles or subscription status fields.
  • Adjust workflows to check these fields before granting access.
• Ensure that any restricted data displayed on authenticated routes is secured, potentially leveraging Bubble's privacy settings to control data access.

Testing Authenticated Routes

• Use the Bubble.io preview function to simulate user interactions.
• Verify correct redirect behavior for logged-in vs. non-logged-in users.
• Ensure no unauthorized access is possible to restricted pages or sensitive data.

Deploying Your Application with Authenticated Routes

• After confirming that authentication routes function correctly, proceed to deploy your application.
• Verify that all settings, particularly user data privacy settings, are appropriately secured for a live environment.
• Conduct thorough testing post-deployment to ensure that the authentication mechanisms work as intended under load and varied user conditions.

By following these instructions, you can effectively set up authenticated routes in your Bubble.io application. This helps safeguard user data and restricts access to sensitive application routes, preserving both data integrity and user privacy.