What's the process for importing JIRA backup data?

Hey everyone,

I’m in the middle of moving my JIRA setup from a hosted solution to a self-hosted server. I’ve managed to export all my data as XML files, but now I’m a bit stuck. Does anyone know the steps to import this backup data into my new JIRA instance?

I’ve been searching online, but I can’t seem to find a clear guide on how to do this. Has anyone gone through this process before? Any tips or tricks would be super helpful!

Also, if there are any potential pitfalls I should watch out for during the import process, I’d love to hear about those too. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Update: I figured it out! For anyone else who might need this info, I had to get the XML files from Atlassian first. Once I had those, the backup process was pretty straightforward. Thanks to everyone who tried to help!

I’ve been through this process a few times, and there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, make sure you’ve got a solid backup of your current system before you start - you never know when you might need to roll back. When you’re ready to import, use the JIRA admin interface and look for the ‘Restore System’ option. It’s usually under ‘Import & Export’.

One thing that caught me out initially was file permissions. If you’re on a Linux system, double-check that the JIRA user has read/write access to the import directory. Also, be prepared for the import to take a while, especially if you’ve got a lot of data. In my experience, it’s best to do this during off-hours to minimize disruption.

After the import, take some time to verify that all your projects, issues, and attachments have come across correctly. It’s not uncommon to find a few oddities that need manual fixing.

Importing JIRA backup data can be tricky, but it’s manageable with the right approach. First, ensure you have administrative access to both instances. Before initiating the import, it’s crucial to verify that your new JIRA instance has sufficient storage capacity for the incoming data. During the import process, temporarily disable all plugins to prevent conflicts. After the import, gradually re-enable and test each plugin. It’s also wise to perform a test import on a staging environment if possible. This allows you to identify and resolve any issues before affecting your production system. Remember to update any external integrations or API connections post-import to reflect the new JIRA instance details.

glad u figured it out! just a heads up, make sure ur new JIRA version matches or is newer than the old one. i once tried importing to an older version and it was a nightmare. also, double-check all ur custom fields and workflows after import. sometimes they dont transfer perfectly