How do I replace a git submodule with another repo?

Solution 1:

If the location (URL) of the submodule has changed, then you can simply:

1. Modify your .gitmodule file to use the new URL
2. Delete the submodule folder in the repo rm -rf .git/modules/<submodule>
3. Delete the submodule folder in the working directory rm -rf <submodule>
4. Run git submodule sync
5. Run git submodule update

More complete info can be found elsewhere:

• Changing remote repository for a git submodule

Solution 2:

First, delete the current submodule with the method already mentioned here, which I'm including for convenience:

• Delete the relevant section from the .gitmodules file
• Delete the relevant section from .git/config
• Run git rm --cached path_to_submodule (no trailing slash)
• Commit and delete the now untracked submodule files

Now, add the new submodule with the --name flag. This will give git an alternate name to reference in .git/config for the submodule, to deconflict with the submodule that was there historically, which you still want to work in your prior history.

So type:

git submodule add --name UpdatedTestFramework [email protected]:userB/TestFramework.git

and you'll get the submodule loaded at the path you expect.

Solution 3:

These commands will do the work on command prompt without altering any files on local repository.

git config --file=.gitmodules submodule.Submod.url https://github.com/username/ABC.git
git config --file=.gitmodules submodule.Submod.branch Dev
git submodule sync
git submodule update --init --recursive --remote

Solution 4:

What fixed this for me was in the root of your git repo (not the submodule), run

rm -rf .git/modules/yourmodule

Then you should be able to add as normal.