---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/platform-administration

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# ServiceNow plugins

# ServiceNow plugins {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read
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## Summary of ServiceNow plugins

ServiceNow plugins are software components that add features and extend functionality within a ServiceNow instance.
They differ from applications, which are standalone collections of features.
Plugins enhance installed applications and the ServiceNow AI Platform, while applications can be installed from the ServiceNow Store or custom-developed.
Show full answer Show less  

## Activating Plugins

* Some plugins are activated by default; others can be activated based on business needs.
* Certain plugins require activation by ServiceNow personnel and cannot be self-activated.
* Plugins may require subscriptions; if a plugin's activation button is greyed out, it likely needs a purchased subscription. Contact your ServiceNow account manager for subscription purchases or cost inquiries.
* Paid plugins may activate automatically upon subscription; if not, you can manually activate them from the All Applications list or request via Now Support if unavailable.
* Activation cannot occur directly in production instances; testing must be done in non-production instances before requesting production activation through Now Support.
* Plugins with dependencies notify you during activation. The system can automatically activate dependent plugins or activate the requested plugin with limited features if dependencies are unmet.
* Once activated, plugins cannot be disabled or deactivated, but functionality can be hidden or access restricted using roles and ACLs.
* Testing plugin features in non-production environments is strongly recommended before production use.
* Some plugins support rollback contexts to undo changes; for complex activation issues (e.g., failed table operations), contact Customer Service and Support.

## Personal Developer Instances (PDI)

On PDIs, you can activate most plugins without purchasing or requesting activation, enabling trial and testing. Some plugins are not available on PDIs. Use the All Applications page to activate plugins on PDIs.

## Requesting Plugins

If a plugin does not appear in your Application Manager or cannot be self-activated, you must request activation from ServiceNow personnel via the Now Support channels.

## Practical Guidance for ServiceNow Customers

* Understand that plugins expand your instance's capabilities but require careful activation planning, especially regarding dependencies and subscriptions.
* Always test plugin functionality in a non-production or developer instance before enabling in production.
* Use role and access controls to manage visibility and usage of plugin features once activated.
* Coordinate with your ServiceNow account manager and support for subscription purchases, activation requests, and troubleshooting.
* Leverage PDIs to evaluate plugins at no cost before committing to production deployment.  
Plugins are software components that provide features and functionalities within a ServiceNow instance.
<br />

## Differences between plugins and applications {#c_ServiceNowPlugins__section_x3t_psk_tzb}

Plugins and applications are separate components on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

* A plugin adds features to installed applications and extends functionality on the ServiceNow AI Platform. For additional details about plugins, see [KB0716626](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0716626).
* An application is a standalone piece of code that implements a collection of features on the ServiceNow AI Platform. You can install applications from the ServiceNow Store or create your own applications.
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## Activating plugins

All plugins are provided by ServiceNow, but some plugins are activated differently.

* A set of plugins are activated on your instance by default. You can activate additional plugins on your instance depending on your business needs. For details, see [Activate a plugin](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/o3i0MRcMj3iWvfeNcAGwrA "You can activate most plugins to expand features and functionalities in the ServiceNow AI Platform.").
* Other plugins require activation by ServiceNow personnel. To request activation, follow the steps in [Request a plugin](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bf_dqHCSiUMBn82NWqwxaw "If a plugin does not appear in the Application Manager, you cannot activate it yourself. Request activation of the plugin by ServiceNow personnel.").

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There are some plugins that you can't activate or upgrade on your instance and the button is greyed out. This situation can happen in the following cases:

* The plugin requires a subscription that you haven't purchased. To purchase a subscription, contact your ServiceNow account manager.
  * Some features are not included in the ServiceNow AI Platform and require a separate subscription. To purchase a subscription or to find plugin costs, contact the [account manager](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0547253) in your company.
  * When you purchase a subscription, certain plugins are activated automatically. If a paid plugin isn't activated automatically, you can manually activate it from the All Applications list in your instance. If the plugin doesn't appear in the instance, submit a request via the Now Support Service Catalog.
  * You can't activate a plugin in your production instance. However, you can test a plugin by activating it in a non-production instance. This includes plugins that are associated with a for-fee subscription. When you're ready to activate the plugin in your production instance, request the plugin from Now Support.
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* The plugin depends on other plugins being activated.
  * When you activate a plugin with dependent plugins, the system notifies you of the dependencies before it completes the activation. If you opt to continue with activation, the system automatically activates all the plugins required.
  * In some cases, the plugin works, but certain features that don't apply to your system aren't installed. When you ask to activate a plugin in this category, the system notifies you of the dependencies before it completes the activation. If you opt to continue, the system activates the requested plugin but doesn't include the features that depend on other plugins.
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* The plugin is already activated on your instance.
  * To determine if a plugin is already activated, see [Plugin Activation Status \[KB0678767\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0678767).
  * After a plugin is activated, you can't disable or deactivate it. If needed, you can hide the functionality. You should thoroughly test, in a non-production instance, the features that are installed when you activate the plugin before using them in a production instance.
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After a plugin is activated, you cannot disable or deactivate it. You should thoroughly test, in a non-production instance, the specific features and functionalities that are installed when you activate the plugin before using them in a production instance. See [Uninstall a ServiceNow plugin \[KB0716414\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0716414).

* If necessary, you can hide or disable the functionality by restricting access through the use of roles and ACLs.
* Some plugins support rollback contexts. For details on using rollback contexts, see [Roll back and delete recovery](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/_x6qSQJ4f8DWOq_nd00d0w "With rollback contexts, you can roll back certain actions such as a patch upgrade, plugin activation, and background script executions, and you can recover record deletions and all related changes.").
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A warning message appears if the alter table or create table operation fails when you activate or upgrade a plugin. Contact Customer Service and Support for help with processing any skipped tables.

## Personal developer instances {#c_ServiceNowPlugins__section_uwh_d4l_tkb}

You can test a plugin on your personal developer instance (PDI) before launching it in a production instance.
If a plugin isn't active by default on a PDI, you can activate the plugin without requesting or purchasing it.

To activate a plugin on a PDI, use the All Applications page on your instance. If the plugin isn't available on the All Applications page, activate it from the . For more information, see [Activate a plugin on a personal developer instance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Uy_8KT25dE4ut6ibFivK0g "You can test a plugin on your personal developer instance (PDI) before launching it in a production instance.").  
Note:  
Some plugins aren't available for activation on PDIs.
* **[Activate a plugin](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/o3i0MRcMj3iWvfeNcAGwrA)**   
  You can activate most plugins to expand features and functionalities in the ServiceNow AI Platform.
* **[Request a plugin](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bf_dqHCSiUMBn82NWqwxaw)**   
  If a plugin does not appear in the Application Manager, you cannot activate it yourself. Request activation of the plugin by ServiceNow personnel.
* **[Available plugins and applications](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Bs8s7BHiQnEhUufQaxJlRQ#list-of-plugins)**   
  You can view all plugins available to you in the Application Manager if you have the admin role.

**Related reference**   

* [List of plugins (Australia)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Bs8s7BHiQnEhUufQaxJlRQ#list-of-plugins "You can view all plugins available to you in the Application Manager if you have the admin role.")