Unable to edit group name error in Jira Cloud
Platform Notice: Cloud Only - This article only applies to Atlassian products on the cloud platform.
Summary
When attempting to rename a group in Jira Cloud (for example, "Developers"), you may encounter the following error:
"We're unable to edit the group name Developers, as it is used in Jira administration settings. To edit this group name, first remove the group from the following Jira settings: Site.atlassian.net JQL Filters - Result"
This error typically appears in the User Management section of admin.atlassian.com.
Jira blocks renaming groups used in Jira settings
This error occurs because the group name (Developers) is currently referenced in one or more saved filters' JQL (for example, the JQL clause membersOf("Developers")).
Jira Cloud prevents the renaming of a group if it is actively used in filters, permissions, or other settings.
Solution
Find and edit JQL filters via Jira API
There is no UI-based way to search filters by JQL content. You must use the Jira REST API to identify which filter is using the group, then update or delete the filter before renaming the group.
⚠️ This method only returns filters you have permission to view. If the group is used in private filters owned by other users, you may need to work with a Jira Administrator to identify and modify those.
Call the Jira REST API to Retrieve Saved Filters
Run the following API call to list all filters you have access to, along with their JQL query:
curl --request GET \
--url 'https://<your-domain>.atlassian.net/rest/api/3/filter/search?expand=owner,jql' \
--user '<your-email@example.com>:<your-api-token>' \
--header 'Accept: application/json'Be sure to replace:
<your-domain.atlassian.net> with your Jira Cloud site URL
<email> and <API token> (generate one here)
Search the API Response for Group References
The API response will include a paired value for each filter's JQL. You can search the body of the response (using Find in your browser, or similar tools in an API application) for the name of your group.
In our example, we're looking for the "Developers" group. Within the API response to the endpoint mentioned above, we'll see the following:
"jql": "assignee in (membersOf(\"Developers\"))"
The filter associated with this JQL syntax is one of the filters that we'll need to adjust.
Identify the filter and open it in Jira
Using the id or name from the API response, search for the filter in Jira:
Go to Filters > View all filters
Use the search bar to find the filter by name
Alternatively, use the filter ID in the URL:
https://your-domain.atlassian.net/issues/?filter=12345
Resolve the group name conflict with the filter
⚠️ Note: You must be the owner of the filter or have edit permissions to make these changes.
You have two options:
Option 1: Edit the Filter Temporarily
Select Edit filter
Change the JQL to temporarily reference a different group
Save the filter
Option 2: Delete the Filter
If the filter is no longer in use, delete it.
Rename the Group
Now that the group is no longer referenced in any filters, go back to admin.atlassian.com > User Management > Groups and rename the group.
Restore the Filter
If you edited the filter earlier, open it again and update the JQL to reference the new group name
If you deleted the filter, you may recreate it using the original JQL with the updated group
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