Atlassian has officially announced that the support of Jira Data Center will come to an end in 2029. That may sound distant. It isn’t.
Image source: atlassian.com/migration
Each year nearer to that date is:
- less Data Center apps updates
- reducing DC knowledge in the market
- higher migration costs
- increased hurry-on, high-risk decisions
Companies that wait until the last moment won’t “just migrate.” They’ll scramble.
The reality is uncomplicated: the sooner you get ready, the cheaper, less stressful, and clean your migration to Cloud will be.
This guide provides you with a migration roadmap that is realistic and provides early preparation through post-migration checks, and demonstrates how to maintain critical things such as change history, reporting, and exports when migrating to Jira Cloud.
Jira Cloud vs. Jira Data Center: What Really Changes
The Data Center to Cloud migration is not a lift and shift. These solutions are built, maintained, and evolve differently.
Here’s what every Jira DC admin should understand before planning the migration:
| What You Need to Know | Data Center (DC) | Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | On your own servers | On Atlassian’s servers |
| Who handles maintenance | Your IT team | Atlassian (fully managed) |
| Upgrades | You install updates yourself | Updates happen automatically |
| Security | You handle patches and controls | Built-in security & certifications |
| Automation & AI | Limited, often needs apps | Built-in Automation + Rovo AI |
| Apps | Many DC-only apps | Some differences, growing Cloud ecosystem |
| History & Export | Strong DC plugins available | Some native limits — apps like Issue History for Jira help fill the gap |
| Scalability | Add more servers when needed | Auto-scaling, no extra setup |
| Costs | License + servers + maintenance | Subscription only, no hosting costs |
| Future | Ends in 2029 | Long-term strategic platform |
The Main Phases of a Successful Jira DC to Cloud Migration
Migration is not a one-button process but a multi-stage project. This checklist breaks it down into simple, practical steps.
Step 1: Understand What You Have
- List Your Jira Projects and Users: Note which projects, tasks, and users are active. Decide what to migrate, archive, or delete.
- Review the Apps Installed: Check which of your DC apps have Cloud versions, require replacements, or need manual data export.
🔗Check Cloud alternatives to your Jira Marketplace Data Center & Server apps
- Identify Cloud gaps: Compare your current Jira settings to what is provided on Cloud. Note features or custom scripts, which are not supported in Cloud.
- Clean Up User Accounts: Make sure that all users have valid and unique email addresses. Delete old accounts or duplicates if needed.
Step 2: Build a Simple, Realistic Plan
- Choose Your Migration Style: Move all at once (faster but needs downtime), or piece by piece (slower but safer).
- Set a Timeline: Choose cleanup, testing, final move and user updates dates.
- Assign Roles: Determine who is responsible for managing apps, users, data checks, and communication.
- Create your Jira Cloud site: Start with a free Cloud trial.
- Plan app migration: Contact app vendors. Schedule exports if data can’t migrate automatically.
Step 3: Get Ready
- Install or Upgrade Jira Cloud Migration Assistant: Make sure that you are using its latest version.
🔗How to Update or Install the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant
- Check Your Jira Health: Make sure that your system is up-to-date and functional.
- Clean Up and Back Up: Archive or delete old data. Always save a duplicate of all.
- Resolve any issues that are related to users: Monitor wrong emails or multiple accounts.
- Review Permissions: Make sure you have the needed Cloud licenses and admin rights.
- Optional: Pre-Migrate Users or Attachments: Preferably, move users or large files beforehand to minimize downtime.
- Set Up Cloud Apps: Install Cloud versions of your apps and enable data-moving permission.
Step 4: Test The Migration
- Run a test migration: Move a few projects. Measure time and identify problems.
- Validate results: Check tasks and fields, boards and filters, permissions and user access.
- Adjust the plan: Fix what didn’t work. Set the final migration date.
Step 5: Final Migration
- Run Final Checks: Verify that JCMA to understand is all correct
- Migrate to Cloud: Start the migration in JCMA.
- Double-Check Your Data: Check out work items, boards, and users. Ensure everything is working out.
- Go Live: Share the Cloud site link and lock or turn off the old Jira.
Step 6: After Migration
- Final Data Check: Compare the number of tasks, users, and groups, and ensure nothing is missing.
- Fix Links: Update any old connections to your old Jira.
- Reconnect Integrations: Rebuild app links and update email settings.
- Help Users Adjust: Share tips, log-in help, and frequently asked questions.
- Improve Your Setup: Apply Cloud capabilities, including automation or dashboards.
- Monitor and Support: Track system well-being and receive feedback.
Welcome to Jira Cloud! ☁️
Finding Alternatives to Data Center-Only Apps
Among the largest risks in a Jira Data Center to Cloud migration is the risk of losing the functionality you use daily, because some DC apps aren’t available in Cloud.
The most secure approach would be to select apps that:
- work in Data Center and Cloud.
- remain the same after migration.
- don’t make teams relearn workflows.
- can be tested in advance.
This is where SaaSJet apps come in.
SaaSJet apps available on both Data Center and Cloud
The following apps are available in both environments, which is why they are the best ones to migrate to without any difficulties:
- Issue History for Jira provides complete visibility into changes to work items: who, what, when, and how. Includes exports, deleted work item recovery, and undo options.
- Time in Status – monitor the duration of each status for work items to identify the delays and manage the workflow.
- Smart Forms for Jira allows you to create structured request forms directly in Jira, replacing manual data collection and inconsistent task creation.
- SLA Time and Report for Jira enables monitoring SLA compliance, response times, and performance with clear reports.
- Time Metrics Tracker enables measurement of key time-based metrics across work item lifecycles to improve forecasting and reporting.
Why this matters during migration:
- All these apps are available on both DC and Cloud.
- You can use them before and after migration with no functional surprises.
- Each app comes with a 30-day free trial.
- If you didn’t use them on the Data Center, you can try them directly on Cloud after migration.
This approach allows you to reduce migration risk, preserve reporting and visibility, and help teams transition to the Cloud without losing control or historical insight.
Final Thoughts
The migration from Jira Data Center to the Cloud is complex. However, it doesn’t have to be messy. Start early and test before committing. Replace DC-only apps before they become blockers.
When teams view migration as a planned change, rather than an emergency, they can save money, minimize risk, and realize the full potential of the Jira Cloud.
Jira Cloud is your future, and it is time to prepare.