View the Authentication Scheme Associated with an Application in Oracle APEX

 In Oracle APEX, every application uses an authentication scheme to determine how users are identified and granted access. Viewing the authentication scheme associated with an application is an essential task for developers and administrators, especially when managing security, troubleshooting login issues, or planning to switch authentication methods.

Below is a detailed step-by-step explanation of how to view the authentication scheme associated with an application in Oracle APEX:

Step-by-Step: View the Authentication Scheme Associated with an Application

1. Log in to Oracle APEX

• Open your web browser and navigate to the Oracle APEX development environment.

• Log in to the Workspace where your application resides.

2. Navigate to the Application Builder

• On the APEX home screen, click “App Builder.”

• Locate the application you want to inspect, and click on its name to open it.

3. Access Shared Components

• Within the application dashboard, look for the section called “Shared Components.”

• Click on “Shared Components.”

• This area contains reusable elements of your application, including the authentication scheme.

4. Find Authentication Schemes

• In the “Security” section of the Shared Components page, click “Authentication Schemes.”

• This brings up a list of all available authentication schemes defined for the application.

5. Identify the Current Scheme

• In the list, locate the authentication scheme marked with a green check mark (✓) in the “Current” column.

• This indicates the active (in use) authentication method for your application.

• The “Name” column shows the scheme’s name (e.g., APEX Accounts, Database Account, Social Sign-In, Custom, etc.).

• The “Type” column shows the kind of authentication being used.

6. View the Scheme Details

• Click on the name of the active authentication scheme to view its configuration details.

• Here, you will see important settings such as:

  • Scheme Type (APEX, LDAP, Social Sign-In, Custom, etc.)

  • Authentication Function (if custom)

  • Login Processing Settings

  • Post-Authentication Procedure

  • Logout URL

  • Session Timeout Behavior

  • Cookie Settings

This information is critical if you want to understand how users are being authenticated, what happens when they log in or out, and how the session is managed.

Additional Notes:

• You can define multiple authentication schemes within one application, but only one scheme can be active at a time.

• If you need to change the active scheme, you can click the “Make Current” button next to another defined scheme.

• You can also copy or create new schemes from this screen if your application requires more complex login options (like switching between development and production logins or supporting multiple user sources).

Use Cases for Viewing Authentication Scheme

• Verifying the login method currently used by the app.

• Updating or troubleshooting login settings (e.g., incorrect username/password errors).

• Preparing for security audits or compliance.

• Integrating with external systems like LDAP or Single Sign-On (SSO).

• Switching from development accounts to production user accounts before deployment.

In Oracle APEX, each application has an authentication scheme that controls how users log in. You can easily view the authentication scheme associated with an application through the Shared Components section.

Steps to View the Authentication Scheme

1. Access the App Builder

• Log in to your Oracle APEX workspace.

• Click on App Builder to view your applications.

2. Select the Application

• Click on the application you want to inspect.

• This will take you to the application's home page.

3. Navigate to Authentication Schemes

• Click on Shared Components under the application menu.

• Under the Security section, click Authentication Schemes.

4. View the Current Authentication Scheme

• The Authentication Schemes page displays a list of authentication schemes available for the application.

• The scheme marked as Current is the one currently in use.

5. Review Authentication Scheme Details

• Click on the current authentication scheme to open its details.

• Here, you can see its type (e.g., APEX Accounts, LDAP, Social Sign-In) and its configuration settings.

By following these steps, you can quickly check which authentication method is securing your Oracle APEX application.

Viewing the authentication scheme in Oracle APEX is a quick yet powerful step that allows developers to confirm how user access is controlled. By accessing the Authentication Schemes section under Shared Components, you can identify the active scheme, explore its settings, and make adjustments if needed. This is a foundational skill for managing secure, role-based applications in Oracle APEX.