Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager – What you need to know in 2025

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The Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager (UPM) continues to be an essential tool for managing apps within Atlassian’s ecosystem. As of 2025, administrators and teams relying on Jira, Confluence, and other Atlassian products must stay updated on the latest developments in UPM. This article explores the key aspects of UPM, including its features, improvements, and best practices for efficient plugin management.

What is the Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager?

The Universal Plugin Manager is an extension within Atlassian applications that allows administrators to install, update, disable, and manage apps directly from the administration panel. It provides a streamlined interface for handling app lifecycle management, ensuring that third-party extensions work seamlessly with Atlassian products.

Key Features and Improvements in 2025

Atlassian has introduced several updates to the UPM in 2025, focusing on performance enhancements, security improvements, and better app lifecycle management. Here are the main highlights:

• Enhanced Compatibility Checks: The UPM now performs more advanced compatibility checks before installing or updating an app, reducing conflicts with existing software.
• Automated Updates: A new feature allows administrators to automate app updates, minimizing manual intervention while ensuring security patches are applied promptly.
• Improved Security Monitoring: UPM now includes better security scanning for extensions, helping administrators stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
• Cloud and Data Center Improvements: Whether using Atlassian Cloud or a self-hosted Data Center version, UPM provides a more unified experience for managing apps.

These enhancements address common pain points related to plugin compatibility, security, and overall administration, making it easier for teams to keep their applications running smoothly.

Why Teams Rely on UPM

The ability to manage applications efficiently is crucial for organizations that utilize multiple Atassian tools. Some of the primary reasons why teams depend on UPM include:

• Centralized App Management: Administrators can oversee all installed applications within a single interface.
• Seamless App Installation: With a few clicks, teams can install, update, or remove apps without complex configurations.
• Reduced Downtime: Improved update handling minimizes disruptions when updating or replacing apps.
• Security Compliance: Administrators can quickly identify outdated or potentially vulnerable apps and take action accordingly.

Best Practices for Using UPM in 2025

With Atlassian continuously refining its tools, organizations should adopt best practices for using UPM efficiently. Below are some recommendations:

1. Regularly Audit Installed Apps: Periodically review the apps in use and remove unnecessary ones to optimize performance.
2. Enable Automatic Updates Where Appropriate: For mission-critical applications, test updates in a staging environment before rolling them out in production.
3. Monitor Security Advisories: Keep track of security updates for installed apps and apply patches as soon as they are available.
4. Ensure Plugin Compatibility: Before updating Atlassian products, verify that installed apps are compatible with the new version.
5. Leverage Atlassian Support: Utilize Atlassian’s support and community forums for troubleshooting UPM-related issues.

FAQ

What Atlassian products support UPM?

UPM is available in Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and other Atlassian products that support third-party apps.

How do I access UPM?

Administrators can access UPM through the “Manage Apps” or “Manage Plugins” section within their Atlassian product’s administration panel.

Can I install apps from third-party sources?

While the Atlassian Marketplace is the preferred source for installing apps, administrators can manually upload apps if they have a valid installation file.

Does UPM support cloud and on-premises environments?

Yes, UPM provides support for both Atlassian Cloud and self-hosted Data Center environments, though some features may vary by deployment type.

What should I do if an app update causes issues?

If an update introduces problems, administrators can disable or roll back changes using UPM. It’s recommended to test updates in a non-production environment first.

How often should I update my apps?

It’s advisable to update apps regularly, especially when security patches are released. Automation features in UPM can help streamline this process.

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