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I have summarized the resolution methods for when Laravel's Auth::user() returns null and user information cannot be retrieved.

First, Confirm If User Information Can Be Retrieved

When adding new features, there may be cases where

Auth::user()

cannot be used properly in controllers or Blade files.

It is recommended to first confirm whether user information can be retrieved before implementing the feature.

How to Confirm in PHP Files like Controllers

dd(Auth::user());

How to Confirm in blade.php Files

{{ dd(Auth::user()) }}

Try outputting this.

When implementing APIs or performing asynchronous communication, try checking with logs

\Log::info(Auth::user());

It will be output to storage/logs/laravel.log.

This article covers the resolution method when the output at this time is "null".

Resolution Methods

① There is a Possibility That You Are Not Logged In

This can happen surprisingly often when receiving consultations.

You can use Auth::user() normally after logging in.

First, please check this.

If you are not logged in, the output of the confirmation method earlier will be null.

② Written in api.php (When using session-based authentication)

Authentication information cannot be retrieved without passing through the authentication middleware.

The routes/web.php and routes/api.php files are already configured to pass through multiple middlewares. The routes/web.php file is already configured to pass through the session-based authentication middleware from the beginning.

However, the API.php file does not have the session-based authentication middleware configured.

Therefore, there is a possibility that authentication cannot be obtained.

Solution to ②

Write it in web.php.

This pattern is likely to occur when implementing asynchronous communication in APIs.

In web.php:

Route::prefix('api')->group(function() {
  Route::get('/sample', 'SampleController@index');
});

How about writing it like this?

③ When Using Laravel Passport or similar API authentication

As mentioned earlier,

• Authentication information cannot be retrieved without passing through the authentication middleware.

In routes/api.php:

Route::middleware('auth:api')->group(function() {
  Route::get('/sample', 'SampleController@index');
});

If you allow the authentication middleware to pass through, the issue should be resolved.

④ When the Session has Expired

Auth::user() retrieves user information based on the information stored in the session.

If the session has expired, there is a possibility that user information cannot be retrieved.

In this case, you need to log in again to refresh the session.

Summary

When you cannot retrieve user information using Auth::user(), it is important to check the points mentioned above.

I hope this is helpful to someone.

For feedback or complaints, please contact me via TwitterDM.

That's all!

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