GitHow-ToBeginner · 3 min read

How to Rename Remote Branch in Git: Simple Steps

To rename a remote branch in Git, first rename your local branch using git branch -m old-name new-name. Then delete the old remote branch with git push origin --delete old-name and push the new branch with git push origin new-name. Finally, reset the upstream branch with git push --set-upstream origin new-name.

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Syntax

Here are the main commands to rename a remote branch in Git:

git branch -m old-name new-name: Rename your local branch.
git push origin --delete old-name: Remove the old branch from the remote repository.
git push origin new-name: Push the renamed branch to the remote.
git push --set-upstream origin new-name: Link your local branch to the new remote branch.

bash

git branch -m old-name new-name
git push origin --delete old-name
git push origin new-name
git push --set-upstream origin new-name

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Example

This example shows how to rename a remote branch called feature1 to feature-renamed.

bash

git checkout feature1
# Rename local branch

git branch -m feature1 feature-renamed

# Delete old remote branch

git push origin --delete feature1

# Push new branch to remote

git push origin feature-renamed

# Set upstream to track remote branch

git push --set-upstream origin feature-renamed

Output

Switched to branch 'feature1' Deleted branch feature1 (was abc1234). To https://github.com/user/repo.git - [deleted] feature1 Enumerating objects: 5, done. Counting objects: 100% (5/5), done. Delta compression using up to 4 threads Compressing objects: 100% (3/3), done. Writing objects: 100% (3/3), 300 bytes | 300.00 KiB/s, done. Total 3 (delta 1), reused 0 (delta 0) To https://github.com/user/repo.git * [new branch] feature-renamed -> feature-renamed Branch 'feature-renamed' set up to track remote branch 'feature-renamed' from 'origin'.

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Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when renaming remote branches include:

Not deleting the old remote branch, which leaves stale branches on the server.
Forgetting to set the upstream branch, causing push and pull commands to fail.
Trying to rename a branch without switching to it first.

Always ensure you are on the branch you want to rename locally before running git branch -m.

bash

git branch -m new-name  # Wrong if not on the branch to rename

# Correct way:
git checkout old-name
git branch -m new-name

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Quick Reference

Command	Purpose
git branch -m old-name new-name	Rename local branch
git push origin --delete old-name	Delete old remote branch
git push origin new-name	Push renamed branch to remote
git push --set-upstream origin new-name	Set upstream tracking for new branch

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Key Takeaways

Rename your local branch first using git branch -m.

Delete the old remote branch to avoid confusion.

Push the renamed branch and set upstream tracking.

Always switch to the branch before renaming locally.

Check remote branches with git branch -r to confirm changes.