Bitbucket Support for Running and Exporting Data After License Expiration

[Pranothi Jalakam]

Hello Atlassian Support,

We are currently using Bitbucket Data Center v7.21.3 and are reviewing our options in the event of license expiration.

We understand that Bitbucket transitions to a read-only mode when the license expires, preventing users from pushing code while maintaining access to existing repositories. 

Could you please clarify the following:

After a Bitbucket Data Center license has expired, are administrators still able to perform data exports and backups of existing repository data?

Specifically:

• Can repository data still be exported after license expiration?
• Can administrators continue to run backup procedures for repositories, databases, and Bitbucket home directories?
• Are there any restrictions or limitations on data export, backup, or recovery operations once the license has expired?
• Is there any grace period during which export or backup functionality remains available?

Our goal is to ensure that we retain the ability to retrieve and archive repository data if a license is not renewed.

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards,

Pranothi Jalakam

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

(Bitbucket Data Center v7.21.3)

[Viswanathan Ramachandran]

Hi,

Hope you seen this : https://support.atlassian.com/bitbucket-data-center/kb/what-happens-when-a-bitbucket-data-center-license-expires/

When a Bitbucket Data Center license expires, the application automatically transitions into a read-only mode.

Data Export & Git Cloning

• Git Read Operations: Developers and administrators can still clone repositories and perform git pull or git fetch operations using Git over HTTP/SSH.
• REST API Access: Administrative read endpoints (such as retrieving repository metadata or user permissions) remain fully active.
• Cloud Migration Tools: Features like the Bitbucket Cloud Migration Assistant still allow exporting and migrating repository data to Cloud environments.

Backup Procedures

• External File/DB Backups: Administrators can run traditional filesystem and database-level backup procedures. 
• Bitbucket Zero Downtime Backup (ZDB): Infrastructure-level backups triggered outside the app function if the instance services are active.

Restrictions & Limitations

• No Write Operations: All write operations are blocked across the board. Users cannot execute git push, create or merge pull requests, edit settings, create new repositories, or add comments.
• System Banners & Alerts: A global banner is displayed to all users indicating read-only status, and administrators will see persistent warnings with prompts to update the license.
• Support Loss: Atlassian official technical support and software updates/patches cease immediately upon expiration.

Grace Period

• There is no technical grace period for Data Center subscriptions. The shift to read-only mode occurs immediately upon passing the license expiration date.
• If you need temporary extended write access, you must contact Atlassian support for temporary extension key.