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How to Create Protected Routes Using React, Next.js, and AWS Amplify

The SaaS Enthusiast
5 min readDec 5, 2023

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Business Value of Protected Routes

In modern web applications, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive data is paramount. This is particularly true when sections of your application are available only to authenticated users. While there are various mechanisms to protect routes, one effective strategy is to avoid mere URL obfuscation. URL obfuscation can be risky as users might decipher a pattern in the URL structure, leading to unauthorized access.

As a developer, I faced a similar challenge where authenticated users handled sensitive data. The key is to classify data based on sensitivity and customer content. Once classified, it becomes imperative to safeguard access to this sensitive information. In my solution, I leveraged Amazon Web Services, specifically the AWS Amplify framework, combined with a Cognito user pool and identity pool. By configuring parameters in an environment file, my goal was to ensure that only authenticated users could access the right information.

Step 1: Create UserContext

What is Context in React?

In React, the Context API is a way to manage state globally across the entire app. It’s particularly useful in scenarios where you want to pass data through the component tree without having to pass props down manually at every level. In the case of protected routes, Context helps manage user authentication status across different components.

Implementing UserContext

To manage user authentication, we create a UserContext. This context stores two parameters: signedUser, a boolean indicating if a user is signed in, and user, which holds the authenticated user's information. Here's how you can set up the UserContext:

// UserContext.js
import React, { createContext, useContext, useState } from 'react';

const UserContext = createContext(null);

export const useUser = () => useContext(UserContext);

export const UserProvider = ({ children }) => {
    const [user, setUser] = useState(null);
    const signedUser = Boolean(user);

    // Logic to set and unset user, possibly from authentication service

    return (
        <UserContext.Provider value={{ user, signedUser }}>
            {children}
        </Context.Provider>
    );
};

export default UserContext;

Step 2: Create a Higher-Order Component for Authentication

Understanding Higher-Order Components (HOCs)

A Higher-Order Component (HOC) in React is a function that takes a component and returns a new component. HOCs are used for reusing component logic. In the context of protected routes, an HOC can be used to wrap around components that require authentication, effectively managing access control.

Implementing Authentication HOC

Here’s a snippet of how you might implement an HOC for authentication:

// withAuthentication.js
import React from 'react';
import { useUser } from './UserContext';

const withAuthentication = (WrappedComponent) => {
    return (props) => {
        const { signedUser } = useUser();

        if (!signedUser) {
            // Redirect to login or show a message
        }

        return <WrappedComponent {...props} />;
    };
};

export default withAuthentication;

This HOC checks if the user is authenticated using signedUser from UserContext. If not authenticated, it redirects them to the login page or shows a relevant message.

Step 3: Update _app.js in Next.js

Global Application of the Authentication HOC

After creating the UserContext and the authentication HOC (withAuthentication), the next step is to integrate these into your Next.js application globally. This is achieved by modifying the _app.js file, which is the top-level component in Next.js and wraps around all other pages.

Implementing UserProvider in _app.js

Here’s how you can modify the _app.js file to include the UserProvider:

// _app.js
import { UserProvider } from './path/to/UserContext';

const MyApp = ({ Component, pageProps }) => {
    return (
        <UserProvider>
            <Component {...pageProps} />
        </UserProvider>
    );
};

export default MyApp;

By wrapping the Component with UserProvider, we ensure that the user's authentication state is accessible to all components in the application. This setup is vital for enabling the HOC to function correctly across different routes.

Step 4: Protect Individual Pages

Utilizing withAuth HOC on Specific Pages

With the global setup in place, you can now utilize the withAuth HOC to protect individual pages. This is particularly useful for pages that should only be accessible to authenticated users. For pages like login or registration, which are expected to be publicly available, the HOC doesn’t need to be applied.

Example of Protecting a Page with withAuth

Here’s an example of how to apply the withAuth HOC to a specific page

// somePage.js
import withAuth from './path/to/withAuth';

function SomePage() {
    // Page content
}

export default withAuth(SomePage);

By wrapping SomePage with withAuth, you ensure that this page is only accessible to users who are authenticated. If a non-authenticated user tries to access this page, they will be redirected or shown an appropriate message, as defined in the withAuth HOC.

Conclusion: Securing Your Application with Authenticated Access

In conclusion, the importance of securing web applications cannot be overstated in today’s digital landscape. By implementing protected routes in React and Next.js applications using AWS Amplify, developers can ensure that sensitive data and functionalities are accessible only to authenticated users. This approach not only fortifies the security of an application but also upholds user trust and compliance with data privacy regulations.

The process of creating a UserContext and a Higher-Order Component (withAuth), and integrating them into your Next.js application, as outlined in this article, provides a clear and efficient pathway to manage user authentication. By wrapping individual pages or entire applications with these components, developers can control access based on user authentication status, effectively preventing unauthorized access to sensitive routes.

This security measure is crucial for multiple reasons:

  1. Data Privacy and Protection: In an era where data breaches are increasingly common, protecting user data is not just a best practice but a necessity. Ensuring that only authenticated users can access sensitive information helps in safeguarding personal and confidential data.
  2. Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to regulations that mandate the protection of customer information. Implementing authenticated routes helps in meeting these legal requirements, avoiding potential fines and legal repercussions.
  3. User Trust and Reputation: Users entrust their data to applications with the expectation of privacy and security. By securing routes, developers reinforce this trust, contributing to the application’s reputation and reliability.
  4. Customized User Experience: Authenticated access allows for a more personalized user experience. Users can access information and features relevant to them, enhancing overall user satisfaction and engagement.

In summary, the integration of protected routes using React, Next.js, and AWS Amplify is more than just a technical requirement; it’s a commitment to user security, trust, and a superior user experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, developers can build applications that not only meet the functional requirements but also adhere to the highest standards of security and privacy.

What’s Next?

You may be interested in the next part of the series “How to protect routes for admins in react Next.js using HOC”

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The SaaS Enthusiast

Written by The SaaS Enthusiast

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