---
title: "Migrating from Data Center to Cloud"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/AW/1927643405/Migrating%20from%20Data%20Center%20to%20Cloud"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (aura-html)

## Feature parity: Data Center vs Cloud

Autowatch for Jira provides the same core features across Data Center and Cloud deployments. Both versions support:

- Per-project autowatch rules
- JQL-based issue matching on creation and update
- Multiple watchers per rule
- Rule creation by project administrators

## Migrating from Data Center to Cloud

> ⚠️ Autowatch configuration is not transferred automatically during a Jira Cloud migration. All rules must be recreated manually in the Cloud instance after migration.

To migrate your Autowatch configuration from Data Center to Cloud:

1. Before migrating, document all existing Autowatch rules in each project. For each rule, note the JQL filter and the users assigned as watchers. You can do this by going to **Project Settings → Apps → Autowatch Rules** in each project on your Data Center instance.
2. Complete your Jira Data Center to Cloud migration using [Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA)](https://confluence.atlassian.com/jirasoftwarecloud/jira-cloud-migration-assistant-983794297.html) or your preferred migration method. The projects, issues, and users will transfer; Autowatch rules will not.
3. Ensure Autowatch for Jira is installed on your Cloud instance. Go to **Settings → Apps → Find new apps** and search for "Autowatch for Jira".
4. In each migrated project on your Cloud instance, go to **Project Settings → Apps → Autowatch Rules** and recreate the rules you documented in step 1. Verify that the JQL is valid in the Cloud instance — some field names or project keys may differ after migration.
5. Verify the rules are working by creating or updating a test issue that matches the JQL and confirming the expected users are added to the watchers list.

> ℹ️ User accounts must exist in the Cloud instance for watcher assignment to work. If users were not migrated or have different account IDs in Cloud, you will need to update the watcher assignments in the recreated rules.