Update Zephyr from Connect to Forge
Atlassian is ending support for the Atlassian Connect framework and transitioning to Forge, the modern app platform. If you are running Zephyr Essential or Zephyr Squad legacy, you need to update to the latest Forge-based Zephyr by December 31, 2026. These are the versions built on Connect.
Warning
If you do not update to the latest version of Zephyr by December 31, 2026, Atlassian will stop supporting the Connect framework. Your app will then stop working.
What is happening?
Zephyr Essential and Zephyr Squad legacy were initially built on the Atlassian Connect platform. The latest versions of Zephyr are now built on Forge, Atlassian's modern app framework.
Atlassian is ending support for Connect on December 31, 2026. You must update from the legacy Connect-based versions to the current Forge-based Zephyr versions to ensure continued functionality.
Key points
This is a platform update, not a pricing or plan change.
Your user experience stays the same. This is not a Squad legacy-to-Essential experience update.
Your subscription plan stays the same.
All your existing data and configurations remain in place.
Zephyr features and functionality are preserved and enhanced.
This update is mandatory to continue using Zephyr after December 2026.
Why now?
Atlassian Connect is reaching end-of-life on December 31, 2026. The newer Forge framework provides:
Enhanced security and reliability
Better performance and stability
Modern architecture built for the future
Improved user experience and faster load times
Access to new Zephyr capabilities and integrations
Long-term support and continuous updates
Action required: how to update to Forge
Follow these steps as an admin user to update Zephyr from within your Jira instance:
Go to Settings. In your Jira instance, navigate to Settings (the gear icon in the top right).
Open Marketplace Apps. Select Marketplace Apps.
Find Zephyr in your installed apps. Locate Zephyr Essential in your list of installed apps.
View app details. Select View App Details next to Zephyr.
Update the app. Select the Update button. The latest version available is the Forge-based version of Zephyr.
Verify the update. Once the update completes, verify that Zephyr is working correctly in your Jira instance. Your existing test cases, cycles, executions, and all configurations remain in place.
Warning
Always update Zephyr from within your Jira instance using the steps above. Do not update from the Atlassian Marketplace website, as this may lead to duplicate app views in your instance.
What is different between Connect and Forge?
To learn about the user experience differences between Connect and Forge, see Zephyr Squad changes due to Forge release.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my test data or configurations when updating?
No. All your test cases, test cycles, executions, results, and configurations remain intact.
Is this a paid upgrade, or does my plan change?
No. This is a free platform update from Connect to Forge. There is no change to your subscription, pricing, or the features you have access to. See the Key points section above for what stays the same.
What is the difference between the old (Connect) and new (Forge) versions?
See Zephyr Squad changes due to Forge Release for a detailed breakdown. It explains the differences between the legacy Connect-based versions and the new Forge-based Zephyr.
When should I update?
SmartBear recommends updating as soon as possible. The deadline is December 31, 2026. After this date, Atlassian no longer supports Connect-based apps.
What happens if I do not update by the deadline?
On January 1, 2027, your legacy Connect-based Zephyr may stop working in Jira. You will lose access to Zephyr functionality until you update to the Forge version.
Can I roll back to the old Connect version after updating?
No. After you update to Forge, you cannot roll back to the old Connect version.
Will there be any downtime during the update?
Update time is typically very quick, usually just a few minutes. SmartBear recommends scheduling updates during low-usage periods to minimize disruption to your team.
Need help?
If you have questions about the update, reach out to Zephyr Support.