You no longer need a Google Ads developer token. Google retired developer tokens on September 9, 2026. Access to the Google Ads API now belongs to your Google Cloud project, and you apply for higher access on the Google Ads API Overview page in the Cloud console, not in the API Center.
Most guides that rank for this search still tell you to open the API Center in a manager account and wait for approval. That path is gone. I maintain a Google Ads MCP server, so I read Google’s own pages closely to get this right.
What happened to the Google Ads developer token
Google’s developer token page says it plainly: developer tokens were sunset on September 9, 2026. Three things follow from that:
- Old code keeps working. You can still send a token in the request header. Google says it is now optional and ignored by the API servers.
- Your access level moved to your Cloud project. Google moved each approved token’s level to the projects that used it, based on the last 90 days of API calls. Projects with no recorded calls start at Test access.
- You do not need a manager account any more. You only need one if you want to manage several Google Ads accounts through the API.
The four access levels
| Level | Which accounts | Daily operations | How you get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Test accounts only | 15,000 | Automatic when you enable the Google Ads API |
| Explorer | Test and real accounts | 2,880 on real accounts, 15,000 on test accounts | Apply on the Overview page. Google says most applications are reviewed and approved automatically |
| Basic | Test and real accounts | 15,000 | Apply once you have Explorer and have completed brand verification |
| Standard | Test and real accounts | Unlimited | Apply once you have Basic. About 10 business days, plus a manual audit |
Source: Google’s access levels page, read on November 13, 2026.
For a single business checking its own campaigns, Explorer is usually enough. 2,880 operations a day covers a lot of reporting.
How to get Google Ads API access now, step by step
- Pick or create a Google Cloud project at console.cloud.google.com. Use the same project that owns your OAuth client, because that project decides your access level.
- Enable the Google Ads API in APIs and Services, Library. This gives the project Test access straight away.
- Open the Google Ads API Overview page at console.cloud.google.com/google/ads-apis/overview.
- Expand “Upgrade access level”, confirm the next level is Explorer and click Apply for access.
- Create an OAuth client in the same project if you do not have one. My guide on getting a Google OAuth client ID and secret walks through it.
- Later, apply for Basic from the same page if 2,880 operations a day is not enough. You need brand verification first.
Errors you may still see
AUTHORIZATION_ERROR after upgrading
Google lists this as a known issue. Some projects upgraded to Explorer, Basic or Standard after September 9, 2026 get an AUTHORIZATION_ERROR on real accounts, while test accounts still work. Google says a fix is rolling out. Their temporary workaround is to use a new Google Cloud project and apply for Explorer access there.
“Developer token is not allowed with project”
This came from the old system, when a token was tied to one Cloud project. Under the new model the token is ignored, so the error should not come back. If an older tool still shows it, update the tool or remove the token from its settings.
Your request in the API Center went nowhere
Google says requests started from the API Center page are no longer processed, and the page will be removed. Pending Basic applications from before the change were closed and the applicants were emailed. Apply again from the Overview page.
What this means for tools that ask for a developer token
Many Google Ads tools, scripts and connectors still have a “developer token” field. Since the token is now optional and ignored, you can usually leave it empty or keep your old one. What matters is that the tool signs in through an OAuth client whose Cloud project has the access level you need.
If you want to ask questions about your campaigns in plain language from Claude Code, Cursor or VS Code, my Google Ads MCP server does that with your own account. It is one of my 20 free Google MCP servers.
Common questions
Do I still need a Google Ads developer token?
No. Google retired developer tokens on September 9, 2026. API access is now set per Google Cloud project.
Where was the developer token in Google Ads?
It was in the API Center of a Google Ads manager account, under Tools. That page is deprecated, and Google no longer processes access requests made there.
How long does Google Ads API approval take now?
Google says Explorer access is reviewed and approved automatically in most cases. Standard access takes about 10 business days and includes a manual audit.
Do I need a Google Ads manager account for the API?
No, not any more. You only need one to link and manage several Google Ads accounts through the API.
What happens if my code still sends a developer token?
Nothing breaks. Google says the header is now optional and ignored, so existing code keeps working without changes.