---
title: "What are web services?"
slug: "what-are-web-services"
updated: 2026-08-13T16:00:58Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:00:58Z
canonical: "totara.help/what-are-web-services"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What are web services?

We do not recommend using legacy web services for new projects where there is a GraphQL API for the same service. All new services will be built for the external GraphQL API, which has a number of advantages over the legacy system. Please refer to the [GraphQL developer documentation](https://totara.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DEV/pages/121187291/Available+APIs) for more information.

Web services allow external systems to control your Totara site. They can be enabled via *Quick-access menu > Configure features*. Once this feature is enabled you can [add a web service](/totara-20/docs/add-a-web-service).

It is recommended that you only enable web services if you intend to use them. Since this feature allows external systems to control your site it could leave your Totara vulnerable if you have web services enabled but don't use them.

By going to *Plugins > Web services* from the quick-access menu you can access all of the settings associated with web services.

## Overview page

The **Overview** page walks you through the necessary steps for setting up web services. This includes setting up mobile devices, enabling access for external systems, and setting up users as clients.

## API documentation

If you want to see the API documentation for your site, navigate to *Quick-access menu > Plugins > Web services > API Documentation.*

As different Totara sites can choose to enable and restrict certain web services, then the API documentation becomes tailored to an individual site.

You can save the API documentation as a PDF by clicking the **Print all** button. This is helpful if you need to share it with someone outside of your site.

## External services

To view or edit the functions being carried out by external services enabled on your site, you can go to *Quick-access menu > Plugins > Web services > External services.*

In either the **Built-in services** or **Custom services** tables, you can click **Function** next to a particular service to view all the functions being carried out by that service or click **Edit** to customise the functions that the web service is carrying out.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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