---
sourceDocument: Zurich Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/application-development

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Convert custom applications to upgrade from the application repository

# Convert custom applications to upgrade from the application repository {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

When your applications are placed in the Custom Applications table \[sys_app\], you
can't upgrade them directly through the Application Repository. This procedure helps you do
a one-time conversion when you want to migrate deploying your applications using the
Application Repository.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

When you start with Update Sets, all your applications in all your instances are
placed in the Custom Applications table \[sys_app\]. However, if you decide to use the
recommended ServiceNow®
[Continuous
Integration/Continuous Delivery API/Spoke](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=cicd-api&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US)
guidance for using the Application Repository in your CI/CD pipelines, the system
doesn't allow the upgrades because the applications already exist in Custom
Applications table. They are moving to the ServiceNow Store
table \[sys_store_app\] so they can be installed from the application repository,
which is why they can no longer be developed on that instance.

After you convert the application, it is no longer enabled for development on the
instance where the conversion is performed. For a scoped custom application, all
associated records in the Customer Updates table are deleted for this
application.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem ApplicationsMy Company Applications.
2. Open the In Development tab.
3. Click the name of the application record that you want to convert.
4. Select the Convert to Application Repository Mode related link.  
5. Select Convert.  
   * In scoped custom applications, the following message displays.
   * In global custom applications, the following message displays.
   * After the successful conversion, the following message displays.
   {#convert-custom-app-to-update-app-repo__ul_yhc_3pt_xqb}

## What to do next

Go to System Applications-\>My Company Applications and update
the application using the software from the application repository. See [Install an application from the application repository](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/KPI1dVBmFzr5leIk~U2~ZQ "Install your application on an instance so that employees can start using the application that you developed.") to learn more.

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