What is the recommended authentication method for a mobile application connecting to Salesforce?

Utilizing the User-agent OAuth flow for a mobile application connecting to Salesforce is the recommended authentication method due to its focus on security and user experience. This method allows users to authenticate using Salesforce credentials directly in a web-based environment, aligning with mobile app best practices.

By redirecting users to Salesforce for authentication, this approach leverages the standard OAuth protocol, which securely handles sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. Furthermore, it avoids the risks associated with storing credentials within the mobile application, as the app does not need to manage user passwords directly, thus enhancing security.

This flow also supports multi-factor authentication and various security policies in Salesforce, ensuring that the application remains compliant with organizational security standards. After successful authentication, the app receives an access token, enabling it to securely interact with Salesforce APIs without exposing sensitive credentials.

The other options do not align as effectively with security best practices or user experience. For instance, creating a mobile Integration user ID may lead to credential management challenges, and using the OAuth Username-Password flow would require storing the user’s credentials within the app, which poses a security risk. The Enterprise WSDL login() operation relies on session IDs that may not be ideal for mobile app scenarios, particularly in a stateless environment typical of mobile applications