Where to Find Your PayPal API Credentials: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of retrieving your PayPal API credentials, a quick task that should take no more than 5 minutes. Follow these easy steps, and you'll have your credentials ready in no time!

Step 1: Visit the PayPal Developer Site

To begin, navigate to the official PayPal Developer site, where you can manage your API credentials. You can find it by clicking here. Alternatively, a quick Google search for "PayPal Developer" will bring you to the right page.

Step 2: Log In to Your PayPal Account

Once you're on the PayPal Developer site, look to the top-right corner of the page and click on the "Log In" button. Enter your PayPal credentials—your username and password—and proceed to log into your account.

Step 3: Access the Developer Dashboard

After successfully logging in, you’ll be redirected to the PayPal Developer dashboard. If for any reason you don’t get redirected automatically, simply click on "Developer Dashboard" in the top-right corner to reach your main dashboard.

Step 4: Ensure You're in Live Mode

Next, it's important to check that you are working in "Live" mode, especially if you plan to use the credentials for actual transactions. In the dashboard, you'll see a toggle in the top right corner. Make sure that it is set to "Live." This step ensures that you’re ready to retrieve the most accurate and up-to-date API credentials.

Step 5: Navigate to "Apps & Credentials"

Once you're in "Live" mode, look for the option labeled "Apps & Credentials" in the left-hand menu. Click on it, and you will be directed to a page where you can access your API credentials.

Step 6: View Your API Credentials

On the "Apps & Credentials" page, you'll see a table listing any existing API credentials. Generally, there will be one entry listed here. Simply click on it to proceed to the next screen, where you can retrieve the necessary information.

Step 7: Retrieve Your Client ID and Secret

After clicking on the listed entry, you’ll be redirected to a page showing your PayPal API credentials. On this page, you will find your Client ID and Secret—the two pieces of information you need. These credentials are vital for integrating PayPal with third-party services like Billbatch.

Step 8: Set Permissions for Your API Credentials

If you're using these credentials specifically for services like ours, we recommend you restrict the permissions to only the ones you'll actually need. For our purposes, selecting the "Transaction Search" permission is typically sufficient. Leave the other permissions unselected to keep your credentials secure.

Step 9: Save Your Changes

Once you've made your selections, be sure to click on the "Save Changes" button to finalize your settings. PayPal will update your credentials, ensuring that they are ready for use.

Step 10: Confirmation and Success Message

After saving your changes, PayPal will display a success message, confirming that your credentials have been successfully updated and saved. This lets you know that you are ready to begin using your credentials.

Step 11: Use Your PayPal Credentials in Billbatch

Congratulations! You’ve now successfully retrieved your PayPal API credentials. To use them, simply enter your Client ID and Secret in your PayPal dashboard within Billbatch. From there, you'll be able to start downloading transaction PDF invoices as needed.