What Permissions or Setup Are Needed for a Managed User to Use Jira Cloud REST API on Basic Plan?

[Yash Bhaia]

Hi everybody,

I am a managed user in our Jira Cloud instance (basic Atlassian plan). I am part of a group with the 'view project' (Browse Projects) permission, and I have Jira Software access as a user. API token access is enabled for users in our organization.

• I can view projects and issues via the Jira UI.

• API requests using Basic Auth (email + API token) to the REST API v3 consistently fail, either with authentication failure or I get empty results (no projects or issues).

  

What I've checked:

• My group roles and permissions include 'Browse Projects'

• I am licensed for Jira Software

• API token access is explicitly allowed for managed users

• I am using the correct API token and registered email address

Question:
Are there additional global/project permissions, security settings, or managed account policies that could prevent a managed user (with correct UI and group access) from authenticating and accessing issues via Jira REST API on the basic plan? 

Any guidance on how to ensure I can successfully use REST APIs to fetch Jira issues and data would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Gor Greyan · Accepted solution]

Hi @Yash Bhaia

Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

Did you check the Security Levels? Maybe there is a Security Level set for the issue, which you are trying to use.

[Yash Bhaia]

Hey @Gor Greyan 

Thank you for your prompt response!

However, I have tried accessing multiple issues and consistently receive a 401 Unauthorized error, even when calling the /rest/api/3/myself endpoint. Does this suggest that the problem is broader and likely related to my overall permissions or authentication setup, rather than specific issue restrictions.

[Gor Greyan]

Dear @Yash Bhaia

Here are some points, that you can double check.

• Use an API token, not a password
  Go to [id.atlassian.com → Security → API tokens → Create API token]*.
  Postman → Authorization tab → Basic Auth:
  Username = Atlassian account email
  Password = API token
  (Not the normal Atlassian password.)

• Make sure Postman is sending the header
  Authorization: Basic <base64(email:api_token)>

• IP allowlisting: if the org uses IP allowlists, their machine’s IP must be added.