Who Should Use This Guide
Zoho CRM Administrators
IT or Integration Teams
Developers setting up API-based integrations
⚠️ Note: Only users with administrative privileges can modify profile-level security settings.
Prerequisites
Before proceeding, ensure that:
You have Admin access to Zoho CRM
You know which Profile is assigned to the user making the API call (e.g., Standard, Sales, or a custom profile)
Step-by-Step Guide: Enable Zoho CRM API Access
Step 1: Log in to Zoho CRM
Sign in to your Zoho CRM account using an administrator account.
Step 2: Open Setup
Click the Setup icon (⚙️ gear icon) located in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Go to Security Control
In the Setup menu, navigate to Security Control.
Select Profiles from the available options.
Step 4: Select the User Profile
In the Profiles tab, locate the profile assigned to the user who will make API calls.
Examples:
Standard Profile
Sales Profile
Any custom-created profile
Click on the Profile name to open its settings.
Step 5: Locate Developer Permissions
Scroll down to the bottom of the profile settings page.
Find the section labelled Developer Permissions.
Step 6: Enable Zoho CRM API Access
Locate the Zoho CRM API Access toggle.
Turn the toggle ON.
When enabled, the toggle will turn green.
Step 7: Save the Changes
Click Save to apply the updated permissions.
Verification Checklist
After enabling API access, verify the following:
✅ The profile shows Zoho CRM API Access: ON
✅ The user can successfully authenticate using API credentials or OAuth tokens
✅ API calls no longer return permission-related errors
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
API Access Still Not Working?
Ensure the correct profile was updated
Confirm the user has logged out and logged back in
Check if IP restrictions or role-based limitations are applied
Verify OAuth scopes if using OAuth-based authentication
Security Best Practices
Enable API access only for required profiles
Avoid granting API access to all users unnecessarily
Regularly review profile permissions
Revoke access when integrations are no longer in use
Summary
Enabling Zoho CRM API access at the profile level is a critical step for integrations and automation. By following this guide, administrators can safely grant API permissions while maintaining control over system security.
If you continue to face issues, review Zoho CRM logs or contact Zoho Support for further assistance.