The draw.io app for Confluence Cloud transitions to Forge-only
Atlassian has encouraged all Connect apps to transition to Forge where their modernised Forge architecture can provide increased data security, updated integrated tools and UIs and other useful features. Our hybrid Connect/Forge draw.io app is currently migrating to be fully Forge-only, allowing for enough time to troubleshoot before the first migration deadline in January 2026, should any problems arise.
You should see no difference in functionality - the diagram editor is not changing, and your existing diagrams and draw.io macros will not be changed through this transition.
You are strongly recommended NOT to upgrade to this version, v3.x. It provides no security or functionality advantages.
New approval required
Because draw.io now uses forge functionality to embed from Google Drive, OneDrive and Github, the app will prompt for every user to allow access to these OAuth endpoints. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid this currently until Atlassian provide some technical means to do so. Dynamic modules might help in this regard. If having every single user approve the app after upgrade is a problem, please contact Atlassian support.
No full-screen custom macro UI on Forge
We, like many other app developers, delayed moving draw.io to Forge as Atlassian has not yet implemented the full-screen custom UI dialog that is widely used by many Marketplace apps.
A reduced diagram editor size may impact productivity or cause distractions as it does not fully cover the page behind. Some have also reported related display issues with dialogs not appearing correctly on mobile devices in the Forge-only apps.
While we reported this issue back in November 2021, it is currently scheduled by Atlassian to be implemented in FY26Q2 (although, it is not yet included in the Connect-Forge capability equivalence roadmap).
If full-screen diagramming or mobile diagramming is a priority for your teams, or if you are an app developer that is affected by this bug, please do comment on the original FRGE-557 issue and the more recent ECO-195 issue.
As soon as this issue has been implemented by Atlassian, the draw.io macros in your Confluence Cloud instance will once again work in full screen.
Updating your draw.io app
Atlassian may choose to rollout these updated Forge-only apps automatically, or your administrator may need to manually update the draw.io app.
If your teams require the full-screen app functionality as described above, we recommend not updating the draw.io app until Atlassian has resolved this issue.
Note: No diagrams or macros will be removed from any pages in which they are used or edited in any way. There is no danger of losing data on this update.
Migrating from DC to Cloud?
Atlassian has also recently announced the end of life for Data Center, with a three-year staged transition period starting in March 2026.
If you are migrating from Confluence DC to Cloud because of this, or to take advantage of the enhanced security features of Atlassian’s modernised Forge architecture, migrate your draw.io diagrams in Confluence using the PageID method that preserves in-diagram links and embedded diagrams.
Which draw.io app for Confluence Cloud?
The draw.io for Confluence Cloud app that is transitioning to Forge is available in two editions - Standard and Advanced. The diagramming features of these two editions are the same.
The Advanced edition of the draw.io app includes premium support, custom security reviews, and additional data security options.
The draw.io Zero Egress app is already Forge-only, and provides strict data security, ensuring no diagram data leaves your Confluence instance (zero egress). For customers with such strict data security requirements, Atlassian plans to offer a single tenant Isolated Cloud and their Atlassian Government Cloud. The draw.io Zero Egress app is designed to work with Atlassian’s new secure Cloud offerings.
Read more about the differences between the draw.io apps for Confluence Cloud