Laravel How to Get the Currently Authenticated User

Problem: You need to access the currently logged-in user's information but aren't sure which method to use or where it's available.

Solution:

// In controllers - multiple ways
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Auth;

public function profile()
{
    // Using Auth facade
    $user = Auth::user();
    $userId = Auth::id();
    
    // Using auth() helper
    $user = auth()->user();
    $userId = auth()->id();
    
    // Using request
    $user = request()->user();
    
    // Check if user is logged in
    if (Auth::check()) {
        $email = Auth::user()->email;
    }
}

// In Blade views
@auth
    <p>Welcome, {{ auth()->user()->name }}</p>
    <p>Email: {{ Auth::user()->email }}</p>
@endauth

@guest
    <p>Please log in</p>
@endguest

// In routes
Route::get('/dashboard', function () {
    return 'Hello ' . auth()->user()->name;
})->middleware('auth');

// Type-hinted in controller methods
public function update(Request $request)
{
    /** @var \App\Models\User $user */
    $user = $request->user();
    // Now you have IDE autocompletion
}

Why it works: Laravel automatically loads the authenticated user from the session. Auth::user() returns the full User model or null if not authenticated. Auth::id() returns just the ID without loading the full model. The auth() helper is a shortcut to the Auth facade.

Note: These methods return null if no user is authenticated, so always check or use auth middleware.

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