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Installing Apps & Plugins

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to install an app or activate a plugin with the Application Manager
  • A second way to add plugins to your PDI
  • The rules to follow before installing anything in a real company

1 The Application Manager

In Lesson 7.1, you found System Applications > All Available Applications > All. This page is where admins install apps and activate plugins. Let’s use it! 🛠️

Four steps to install an application. Step 1: open System Applications, All Available Applications, All. Step 2: search for the app, such as French Translations, and open it. Step 3: review the details, dependencies, and the Load demo data option, then click Install. Step 4: wait for the progress bar; the app then shows as Installed.
Figure 1. Find it, check it, install it, then wait.

2 Install from the Application Manager

  1. Click All and go to System Applications > All Available Applications > All.
  2. Search for the app or plugin by name.
  3. Click it to see its details: what it does, its dependencies, and its license notes.
  4. Click Install (or Activate). A window shows what else will be installed with it.
  5. Choose whether to load demo data (Lesson 7.3), then confirm.
  6. Wait. A progress bar shows how it’s going. Big apps can take a while. ⏳
  7. When it’s done, the app shows as Installed. Refresh the All menu to see its new menus.

💡 Good to know: After installing, click the refresh icon in the All menu (or reload the page) so new menus show up.

3 Another way for PDIs

For your PDI only, you can also activate plugins from the developer site:

  1. Sign in to developer.servicenow.com and open Manage my Instance.
  2. Find the option to activate plugins, and search for the plugin.
  3. Choose to activate it, with or without demo data.

📝 Note: Some plugins can’t be activated on a PDI. If you can’t find one, it may be a paid-only feature.

4 Rules for real companies

In your PDI, install whatever you like. In a real company, follow these rules:

  • Check the license. Only install what the company has paid for.
  • Install in sub-production first. Dev, then Test, then Prod. Never try it in Prod first.
  • Read the docs. Know what the app adds and what it changes.
  • Check dependencies. Know what else gets installed with it.
  • Plan the time. Big installs can slow things down. Do them at a quiet time.

⚠️ Heads up: Most plugins can’t be turned off once activated. Think before you click Install in a company instance!

5 Let’s try it: add French

  1. Open System Applications > All Available Applications > All.
  2. Search for French and open the French language plugin.
  3. Look at its details and dependencies. Then click Install (or Activate) and confirm.
  4. Wait until it’s finished.
  5. Open Preferences > Language and region. Can you now pick French? Try it, then switch back to English. 🇫🇷

6 Quick recap

  • Install apps and activate plugins in System Applications > All Available Applications > All
  • Check details, dependencies, and the demo data option before installing
  • PDIs can also activate plugins from the developer site
  • In real companies: license first, sub-production first
  • Most plugins can’t be turned off afterwards

7 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 Where do you install a store app in your instance? Show answer

System Applications > All Available Applications > All.

2 SNWR wants a new app. Where should you install it first? Show answer

In a sub-production instance, like Dev. Never in Prod first.

3 You installed an app, but its menu isn’t showing. What do you try first? Show answer

Refresh the All menu or reload the page.

Nice work! You finished this lesson. 🎉

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