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Question

Upload file via API without admin/enterprise authorization

  • May 22, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 14 views

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Found this older post: https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360049182333-enable-app-auth-app-users-without-the-Enterprise-step-?page=1#community_comment_4998971019283

I wonder if this has changed since 2016? The admins at my organization believe it should be possible to access my own Box account via API without the admin/enterprise authorization. I created a JWT app and can upload files to my account via the API and the app's developer token. I just can't seem to generate a regular access token. I only want to be able to upload a file to my own Box account via a Python script (non-interactive/no user interaction). But trying to authenticate and get an access token I can't get past the "unauthorized_client/This app is not authorized by the enterprise admin" error. I did set the box_sub_type/sub parameters to "user" and my user ID, the App Access Level is App Access Only and the only Application Scope or Advanced Feature I have checked is Write files and folders.

1 reply

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Hi! 

Anytime you make a JWT application - an administrator has to approve it. Partly because a JWT app makes a new "user" or service account on the backend. 

The only way to make API calls against your user account without admin approval is by making an OAuth 2.0 application - this does require user interaction though. 

Best, 

Alex, Box Developer Advocate