Users migration from Jira Internal directory to Active directory (Connector type)

[Chiru]

Hi Community,

We’re currently in the process of migrating users in our Jira Data Center instance from the Internal Directory to an Active Directory (AD) via LDAP (Connector type, not Delegated). The user accounts in both directories have the same usernames and emails.

Our goal is not just to move group memberships, but also to preserve or transfer all the ownerships and references tied to the internal users — including dashboards, filters, issues (reporter/assignee), project roles, watchers, filter subscriptions, and more.

What We've Understood So Far

We came across the Atlassian support doc which explains how to migrate group memberships, but it doesn’t seem to help with transferring ownership of:

• Dashboards

• Filters

• Reporter/Assignee on issues

• Project Roles

• Comments

• Watchers

• Automation rule authors

Also 
1. What can be migrated automatically (or safely)?

2. What must be migrated manually?

Is there an Official Documentation from Atlassian? 

I also need:

• Official Atlassian documentation or support references that clearly state which data cannot be migrated across directories (e.g., that dashboards, filters, comments, etc., remain with the original directory user and are not auto-mapped).

This will help me communicate clearly to management about what must be manually handled.

[Sebastian Krzewiński · Accepted solution]

Hi @Chiru 

If usernames and emails are the same in internal directory and AD jira will merge accounts. By merging I mean that all groups from both sources will be displayed for the user.

[Chiru]

Hello @Sebastian Krzewiński 

Thanks for your response, do we have any documentation for the same and currently we are in Jira Data-center the user able to login with both the accounts like with Jira internal directory as well as the AD account and user configurations are currently associated with the Internal directory our plan is to terminate this internal directory users and only users need to login using their AD account but we need the data associated with internal directory accounts to be moved to their respective AD accounts.
Will Jira automatically synch this data to AD accounts as they have same user name and email in the AD?

Please check and let us know also how can we move the users from the Internal dir to the AD we have AD of connector type.

Appreciate your guidance.

Thanks,
Chiru

[Sebastian Krzewiński]

Hi @Chiru 

Docs about multiple directories - https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/managing-multiple-directories-938847057.html

If your users are right now in local user directory and you want to move it to AD you need to do that by your own. Jira will not move users from internal db to AD. The goal is to set correct user directory order that user will need to login via AD so AD must be set as a first directory. Everything is described in doc.

Regards,

Seba

[Ankita Mehta]

Hi @Chiru

Even if usernames and emails match, Jira treats AD users as new identities because it uses internal IDs. So, ownership (like dashboards, filters, comments, etc.) doesn’t carry over automatically. Things to consider before you begin:

• Jira doesn’t auto-map ownership across directories
• Manual cleanup or scripting is needed for full content migration
• Having both directories active can cause filter and mention issues
• Validation is important post-migration, especially for reporting and automation

If you’re dealing with a large number of users or content, you may want to consider an Atlassian Solutions Partner, OpsHub Migration Manager (OMM), an enterprise grade migration platform for zero downtime, non- disruptive and high-fidelity migrations. It can help you preserve ownership and relationships across directories — especially when minimizing manual rework is a priority.

Drop us a line if you have questions!