OAuth 2.0 and cloud connectors for Atlassian Data Center

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What’s changing

We’re rolling out two important updates for Atlassian Data Center customers: support for OAuth 2.0 as an authentication method, and cloud connectors as a new approach to connecting your Data Center and cloud apps. These changes are designed to make your integrations more secure, reliable, and easier to manage, whether you’re staying on Data Center for a bit longer, migrating to the cloud, or running a hybrid environment.

OAuth 2.0: industry-standard authentication protocol

OAuth 2.0 is now available as an authentication type for application links in Atlassian Data Center products. This industry-standard protocol is designed to provide secure, delegated access between applications without exposing user credentials.

Why switch to OAuth 2.0?

• OAuth 2.0 uses HTTPS and short-lived access tokens, reducing security risk and simplifying credential management.

• As a widely adopted protocol, OAuth 2.0 helps meet evolving security and regulatory requirements.

• With OAuth 2.0 supported in both Data Center and cloud, you can connect products during migration or hybrid operation.

Supported Data Center versions:

• Jira Data Center: 11.2 and later

• Confluence Data Center: 10.1 and later

• Bitbucket Data Center: 10.1 and later

• Bamboo Data Center: 12.0 and later

• Crowd 7.1 and later

How to get started:

1. Go to your product’s settings.

2. Find Application links.

3. Create a new application link using OAuth 2.0 and follow the prompts.

Follow here for a more detailed guide on https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/linking-to-another-application-360677690.html https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/link-to-other-applications-938846918.html

If you manage external integrations, keep in mind that service accounts now support OAuth 2.0 for both cloud and Data Center, providing a secure way to automate tasks without user credentials.

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Cloud connectors: simplifying hybrid integrations

Starting with Jira 11.3 and Confluence 10.2 (2025), we’re introducing cloud connectors as a new approach to connecting Data Center and cloud apps, managed through the Atlassian Admin Hub.

What’s new:

• Admin Hub connection: Set up and manage your connections between Data Center and the cloud from a central place.

• OAuth 2.0 everywhere: All authentication and authorisation flows now use OAuth 2.0 for improved security and admin control.

• Application links remain core: Application links are still the backbone of product-to-product integration, now enhanced with OAuth 2.0.

• In-product integrations: These continue to provide targeted features (like using Confluence as a Jira Service Management knowledge base).

Transition from older connection methods:

• If you’re using older versions, you may still use the Cloud Companion app or application tunnels. These will continue to work, but we recommend switching to cloud connectors as you upgrade.

  • Tunnels don't support OAuth 2.0 applinks yet. We are working on this and will deliver it soon.

• Application tunnels (with OAuth 1.0 application links) can still be used to connect the cloud to Data Center behind firewalls securely.

Network requirements:
If your Data Center instance is behind a firewall, you’ll need to setup an application tunnel before connecting via cloud connectors.

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Timing, impact, and what you need to do

Release timeline:

• OAuth 2.0 is available now in Jira 11.2, Confluence 10.1, Bitbucket 10.1, Bamboo 12.0 and Crowd 7.1.

• Cloud connectors will be available with Jira 11.3 and Confluence 10.2 in December 2025.

What to do next:

• Review your current integrations and plan to upgrade to supported versions.

• For new connections between the cloud and Data Center, use cloud connectors.

• If you’re mid-migration or running hybrid, you can use OAuth 2.0 links to connect Data Center and cloud until migration is complete.

• For automated integrations, consider switching to service accounts with OAuth 2.0.

[Sebastian B]

Hi @Andrzej Kotas

does this mean that on Jira DC 10 LTS, OAuth 2.0 is not fully supported?

[Olga Springer]

Hi Sebastian.

Yes, on Jira DC 10 LTS, only 3LO integrations are supported with OAuth 2.0. 

[carl]

OAuth 2.0 makes integrations much more secure and easier to manage without exposing credentials, and the new cloud connectors simplify hybrid setups. If you’re running a migration or hybrid environment, it’s a good idea to start planning upgrades and switch to these new methods for safer, smoother connections between Data Center and cloud apps