how to un fork the github repository?

How to un fork a github repository?

I have never seen unfork option anybody knows how to do that?


Update: There's now an automated solution

See https://stackoverflow.com/a/66470086/151312

Original Post

As of now Github doesn't have an unfork option, so the only solution is to delete the forked repo.

Warning: The following solution will delete your cloned repo. If you want unfork without your repo is being deleted try this https://stackoverflow.com/a/41486339/6335029

Step 1: Goto Settings of Repo you want to unfork

Step 2: Click Delete this Repository enter image description here

Step 3: Enter your name / Repo name

Step 4: click "I understand the consequences, delete this repository" button

enter image description here


GitHub support can do this for you.

  1. Go to this link https://support.github.com/contact?tags=rr-forks
  2. Type in "unfork"
  3. Let the virtual assistant help you

They completed the process for me within 1 minute after that.


Option 1: Rename, import, delete

  1. Rename your old fork (e.g. repo.old)

  2. Import your old fork as a new repo (Note: provide the https:// or git:// URI of the old fork)

  3. Delete / archive the old fork

Note: the "import" option is an option when creating stuff:

"Import repository"

Option 2: Clone, delete, create, push

  1. Back up your repo! E.g. git clone to your local file system.
  2. Delete the original repo from GitHub (See the other answer...)
  3. Create a new repo with the same name
  4. Push your local backup to the new GitHub repo

I recommend option 1.

Whatever you do, back up your work! Especially if you follow the other answer, which just tells you to delete your repo...