How to migrate from Server to Cloud in Jira Service Management?

Question

Dear Community,

I am currently using Jira Service Management on a server setup and planning to migrate to the cloud version. I would like guidance on the best and safest way to perform this migration.

Specifically, I would appreciate help with:

The step-by-step migration process

Tools or methods recommended for migration

How to safely transfer data (projects, users, tickets, etc.)

Common challenges or issues during migration

Any best practices to ensure a smooth transition

I am currently using the Cloud hosting type and have admin access. Any suggestions, resources, or personal experiences would be very helpful.

Thank you in advance!

Joseph Chung Yin · Answer

@Amit Singh

Addition to what @Arkadiusz Wroblewski mentioned, here are a few other reference points on your migration process to Cloud from Data Center -

Usage of Atlassian's migration assistance tool

* https://community.atlassian.com/forums/Jira-articles/Step-by-Step-Guide-Migrating-Jira-Data-Center-to-Jira-Cloud/ba-p/2925735
* https://support.atlassian.com/migration/docs/jira-pre-migration-checklist/

If you are using "Assets" in your JSM env - reference on Assets data migration to Cloud

* https://confluence.atlassian.com/jirakb/migrate-assets-data-from-data-center-into-assets-in-jsm-cloud-1167741229.html

Lastly -

https://support.atlassian.com/migration/resources/

https://www.atlassian.com/migration/plan/cloud-guide#migration-tools

Hope this also helps.

Best, Joseph

Arkadiusz Wroblewski · Answer

Hello @Amit Singh

The primary tool Atlassian provides for this is the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA), available as a free app from the Atlassian Marketplace. It runs on your Server/DC instance and guides you through assessing, planning, and executing the migration to Cloud, including projects, users, issues, attachments, and custom fields.

The official starting point is Atlassian's migration hub at atlassian.com/migration/journey-to-cloud — it has step-by-step guidance, pre-migration checklists, and known limitations to be aware of (not everything migrates 1:1, particularly around certain apps and workflow configurations).

https://www.atlassian.com/migration

The most common challenges are third-party apps that don't have Cloud equivalents, permission scheme differences between Server and Cloud, and custom field types that behave differently. Running the JCMA assessment before you start will surface most of these early.

For a migration of any significant size, Atlassian also offers free migration support through their migration specialists. Worth engaging before you start.