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Participant
September 20, 2026
Question

Lightroom API access

  • September 20, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 13 views

I want to build an app to allow uploads from large existing photo archives on custom servers to the Lightroom cloud. I added Lightroom Services to my project, created an OAuth Web App, got an access token for the same (developer) account. Also just in case, added myself to the Beta testers. However, when I make a test request:

  curl -i \
    -H "X-API-Key: <my-api-key>” \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer <my-access-token>" \
    https://lr.adobe.io/v2/account

I get a generic openresty 403 Forbidden error page. The weird part: if I send an invalid or a missing token, I get a proper JSON error reply.

What am I doing wrong? Should I somehow apply to Adobe for the API whitelist, or is it a techical issue on my side?

    1 reply

    CORCTON34033231
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 21, 2026

    Hi — this looks like an access/subscription issue rather than a curl syntax problem, and the official Lightroom API docs describe exactly how to verify it.

     

    First, access is partner-based: "Partners must register a new integration with Adobe to obtain a unique client identifier (API key) for their application." (from the Getting Started guide)

     

    Second, the docs prescribe a verification step you may have skipped — the Services Health Check: "Registered partner applications can check the health of the Lightroom Services through the /v2/health API on the https://lr.adobe.io endpoint," using only your API key. The docs add: "If the API key is not subscribed to the Lightroom Services, an error will be returned" (e.g. {"code":"403003","description":"Api Key is invalid"}).

     

    So the 403 on /v2/account means your API key isn't subscribed to Lightroom Services. Suggested next steps:

     

    1. Run the health check first: GET https://lr.adobe.io/v2/health with your X-API-Key header, to confirm.

    2. In the Adobe Developer Console, double-check that "Lightroom Services" is actually added to your integration/project.

    3. If it is added and the health check still fails, use the "Adobe Developer Support" link at the bottom of the docs — since access is partner-based, Adobe needs to enable it for your integration.

     

    Reference: https://developer.adobe.com/lightroom/lightroom-api-docs/getting-started/service-health-check/