- When Do You Need to Migrate a Git Repository?
- What You Need to Check Before Migrating
- Creating a New Empty Project on the Target Server
- GitLab
- GitHub
- Migrating the Repository to the New Git Server
- 1. Check whether an old remote named origin exists
- 2. Set the new remote URL for your repository
- 3. Push all local branches to the new server
- 4. Push all tags
- Table: Differences Between Important Git Push Commands
- GitLab vs GitHub Migration Differences
- Differences Between GitHub and GitLab
- Overview of the Most Important Differences
- Which Platform Is Better for Which Use Case?
- Migration Differences in Practice
- Recommendations and Best Practices
- FAQ
- Can I migrate Issues, Merge Requests, or Wikis?
- What happens if the target repository already contains files?
- What about branches that existed on the old server but not locally?
- Do I have to rename the master branch to main?
Migrating a Git repository to a new Git server can be confusing at first, especially when the old server is no longer accessible. This scenario is common when moving from a self hosted GitLab instance to GitLab.com or GitHub, or when you only have a local clone of your project left. In this article, I will show you how to transfer your existing repository safely, which Git commands you need, and what to look out for during the migration.
This guide explains all important steps, differences between GitLab and GitHub, typical mistakes, and best practices. It is written in a way that helps beginners and advanced users alike.
When Do You Need to Migrate a Git Repository?
Typical situations where a migration becomes necessary:
- The old Git server is no longer reachable.
- You only have a local clone of your repository on your PC or server.
- The old Git server belonged to your previous employer and access was revoked.
- You want to move a project to GitLab.com or GitHub to centralize development.
- You want to merge or consolidate multiple repositories.
In all these cases you should check whether you still have access to the old server or only a local clone. That decides which migration method you can use.
What You Need to Check Before Migrating
Before pushing your Git repository to a new server, consider the following:
Do you still have access to the old server?
If yes, you can use git push --mirror which transfers everything including all remote references.
Do you only have a local clone?
Then you can only push branches and tags that exist locally.
Were Merge Requests, Issues, Wikis or Pipelines used?
These are server-side features. They are not stored in Git and cannot be migrated via push.
GitLab and GitHub only transfer Git data via git push – no issues, pipelines, or project metadata.
Creating a New Empty Project on the Target Server
Whether you use GitLab or GitHub, you must start by creating a new empty repository.
GitLab
- Open your GitLab group or dashboard
- Select “New project”
- Choose “Create blank project”
- Deactivate “Initialize repository with a README”
(Otherwise your first push will fail due to file conflicts)
GitHub
- Open your GitHub Repositories
- Click “New”
- Enter a repository name
- Do not create a README or .gitignore
- Create the repository
Your new project should now be empty and ready to accept your migrated data.
Migrating the Repository to the New Git Server
1. Check whether an old remote named origin exists
git remote -v
2. Set the new remote URL for your repository
git remote set-url origin <NEW-URL>
GitLab example:
https://gitlab.com/user/project.git
GitHub example:
https://github.com/user/project.git
3. Push all local branches to the new server
If the old server is unavailable:
git push -u origin --all
Alternatively, if the old server is still reachable, you may use:
git push --mirror origin
What --all transfers:
- all local branches
- includes master or main
- sets tracking information for future pushes
4. Push all tags
If your repository uses tags:
git push origin --tags
Table: Differences Between Important Git Push Commands
| Command | Function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
git push --mirror origin | Copies all branches, tags, remote refs | Use only if old server is still accessible |
git push -u origin --all | Pushes all local branches | Best method when old server is gone |
git push origin --tags | Pushes all tags | Run after pushing branches |
git push -f origin | Force push, overwrites target branch | Only use when necessary, e.g. empty repo |
git remote set-url origin <URL> | Changes the remote URL | Essential step in any migration |
GitLab vs GitHub Migration Differences
| Topic | GitLab | GitHub |
|---|---|---|
| Create empty repo (no README) | Yes | Yes |
| Import tools | Very extensive | Good, but fewer than GitLab |
| Issue migration | Only via API or export | Also only via API or tools |
| Git push commands identical | Yes | Yes |
| Git LFS support | Yes | Yes |
Both platforms follow the same Git standards, so the migration works the same from a technical perspective.
Differences Between GitHub and GitLab
Although GitHub and GitLab both offer full Git hosting, they differ in many ways that influence daily workflows and long term project structure. Here are the key differences users should understand.
Overview of the Most Important Differences
| Category | GitHub | GitLab |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Largest developer community | Complete DevOps platform |
| Private repositories | Free, but limited features | Free with many team features |
| CI/CD | GitHub Actions | Native, deeply integrated CI/CD |
| Project structure | Flat repo structure | Groups + subgroups |
| Issue management | Simple and lightweight | Advanced boards, epics, roadmaps |
| Wikis | Per repository | Per project with more features |
| Import tools | Good | More extensive |
| Self hosting | Expensive enterprise version | Fully self hostable, free CE edition |
| Permissions | Basic | Very granular |
| Free storage | Limited for LFS | More free space, larger container registry |
Which Platform Is Better for Which Use Case?
Use GitHub if:
- you run an Open Source project
- you rely on a huge developer community
- you need many third party integrations
- you use GitHub Actions extensively
Use GitLab if:
- you want an all in one DevOps platform
- you organize many projects in groups
- you want full control or self hosting
- you need integrated CI/CD without extra services
Migration Differences in Practice
While the Git migration process is technically identical, the surrounding features differ:
- GitHub automatically creates a main branch, while GitLab does not unless enabled.
- GitLab suggests creating Merge Requests after pushing new branches.
- GitHub uses Pull Requests instead of Merge Requests.
- GitLab supports repository mirroring natively.
- GitLab’s import tools can migrate GitHub Issues automatically.
Recommendations and Best Practices
- Decide early whether your target repo should be public or private.
- Use SSH instead of HTTPS to avoid password prompts.
- Review local branches before pushing them.
- Delete old or unused branches before migrating.
- Verify after migration whether all branches and tags arrived correctly.
FAQ
Can I migrate Issues, Merge Requests, or Wikis?
No. These are server side features and not stored in Git. They can only be migrated using exports or API tools.
What happens if the target repository already contains files?
Conflicts occur. Always start with an empty repository when migrating.
What about branches that existed on the old server but not locally?
They are lost unless you still have access to the old server.
Do I have to rename the master branch to main?
No. Both GitLab and GitHub accept master and main.
