Username Update Issues

[abraham-ny]

Whenever an account for some reason changes the username it breaks apps tied to that account via API or even redirecting articles and other external links. Could GitHub maybe maintain redirects or requests to the previous name to the new username probably until the old username is taken by another account?

[Yogeshk76]

Yes, GitHub already does this. When you change your username:

• GitHub automatically sets up redirects for your old username to the new one.
• This includes repository URLs, profile links, API requests, and more.
• The redirects remain active until the old username is taken by another user.

This behavior helps minimize breakage for apps, articles, and external links.

If you found this helpful, please mark it as the answer.

[Yogeshk76]

You're absolutely right — while GitHub does provide automatic redirects after a username change, they're mostly reliable only in browsers. For installable/native apps like .exe or .apk, hardcoded GitHub URLs (for updates, feedback, downloads, etc.) can break due to:

• Redirects not working consistently in non-browser contexts (e.g., inside native apps),
• GitHub API calls returning errors,
• Old links becoming completely invalid once the previous username is claimed by someone else.

Common Breakage Scenarios:

• Update systems fetching latest release JSON via https://github.com/old-username/repo/releases/latest
• Feedback forms pointing to hardcoded issues/URLs on the old profile
• Auto-downloads of assets or .apk/.zip files from GitHub Releases

---

🔧 Recommended Solutions:

1. Use a Redirect Proxy (like Rebrandly, Firebase Hosting, or a custom backend)
   Route all external-facing URLs through a domain you control (e.g., https://updates.myapp.com/latest) and forward to GitHub. That way, you can update the backend/proxy if your GitHub username or repo changes — without touching the app.

2. Use a Config File Hosted Remotely
   Host a lightweight version/config file (.json, .txt) on a stable server (Firebase, S3, etc.) that includes your dynamic GitHub repo URL. Apps read this at runtime to fetch the correct path.

3. Use GitHub Organization Instead of Personal Account
   GitHub org URLs are more stable, since org names aren’t easily renamed. Move the repo to an org, and keep personal profile changes independent.

4. Cache and Fall Back
   In apps, cache the last known working URL. If a new one fails to resolve, fall back to the cached version or prompt the user to update.

5. Log URL Failures and Alert
   Implement logging for API/URL failures to catch broken links after any such GitHub-level change.

---

This kind of problem isn't widely discussed, but it can silently break functionality for users after a rename. You're right to flag it. Hopefully, GitHub will someday offer persistent forwarding for installable and API-based usage too.

✅ If this helped, please consider marking it as the answer.

[MaheshR03]

Unlike web apps that can be patched quickly native desktop/mobile apps often bake in URLs or endpoints at compile time. Those URLs may be used for: Checking for updates, Submitting feedback, Pulling data or assets from GitHub repos. Once deployed, these apps can't automatically adapt to a GitHub username change.
Your proposition that github could maintain redirects or requests to the previous name to the new username is very useful. Until GitHub changes this, in native apps consider referencing a single fixed update JSON or endpoint that you control, which can redirect to the latest GitHub url. Avoid hardcoding GitHub usernames into client-facing URLs.

[muhammad-danial-malik]

You're absolutely right to raise this — changing a GitHub username can cause real problems for apps and services that rely on static URLs.

✅ What GitHub Currently Does:

When you change your username, GitHub automatically:

• Redirects profile and repo URLs to the new name
• Supports API calls to some extent (with a redirect)
• Keeps redirects active until the old username is claimed by someone else

This works well in browsers, but not always in native apps or API clients.

⚠️ Common Issues After Username Change:

• Apps using hardcoded URLs (e.g. .exe, .apk, or update checkers) may break
• API calls can fail if redirects aren’t followed properly
• External links in blogs, feedback forms, or releases may go stale

---

🔧 Recommended Workarounds:

1. Use a Custom Redirect Proxy
   Route external URLs (downloads, API endpoints) through your own domain:

[https://myapp.com/updates](https://myapp.com/updates) → redirects to → [https://github.com/new-name/repo/releases/latest](https://github.com/new-name/repo/releases/latest)

2. Host a Config File Remotely
   Let your app fetch URLs from a stable .json file hosted on Firebase, S3, or similar.

3. Move to a GitHub Organization
   Org names are more permanent and reduce risk from personal account changes.

4. Cache + Fallback in Your App
   Cache the last working URL and fall back if the new one fails.

5. Log and Alert
   Add logging for URL/API failures so you can catch issues quickly post-rename.

---

This is a real concern, especially for distributed apps.

[Hariswar8018]

When you change your username, GitHub automatically sets up redirects from your old username to the new one — including for repositories, gists, and profile links.

[MuhammadTanveerAbbas]

GitHub automatically redirects old usernames to the new ones until someone else takes the old name. If links or apps break, it’s usually because the old username was claimed or the app isn’t following redirects.

[mohammadamuie]

✅ How GitHub handles username changes:
When a GitHub user changes their username:

GitHub automatically sets up redirects from the old username to the new one.

This applies to:

Profile URLs (e.g., github.com/oldusername → github.com/newusername)

Repository URLs (e.g., github.com/oldusername/repo → github.com/newusername/repo)

Git operations (e.g., git clone https://github.com/oldusername/repo.git will redirect).

This redirection ensures that:

Existing API clients, clones, and links usually keep working.

Old URLs in articles, docs, and blogs remain valid.

🔒 Limitations:
Only works as long as the old username is not claimed by someone else.

Once a new user takes over the old username, the redirects stop working.

Redirects may not apply to third-party apps that cache usernames or use them as unique identifiers (not ideal).

API results may contain the new username, so apps relying on parsing usernames from responses may break if not robust.

🛠️ Best Practices:
Use user IDs (which never change) in API-based integrations when possible.

Avoid hardcoding usernames in configurations; fetch dynamically if supported.

If you maintain a service dependent on GitHub accounts, monitor changes via the GitHub API and adjust accordingly.

🔁 GitHub Documentation:
See GitHub’s official help article:
👉 Changing your GitHub username

[AmanRai8]

Yes, GitHub redirects old usernames to the new one until the old username is claimed by someone else. After that, redirects stop.

[SriramBharath-7]

Changing your GitHub username does break API integrations, app connections, and links that referenced your old username. While GitHub does set up automatic redirects from your old profile and repositories to the new username, these redirects only last as long as your old username isn’t claimed by someone else. Once another user registers your old username, those redirects stop working breaking any apps or links that depend on the old name.

There’s no official way to keep permanent redirects. Your best bet is to avoid changing your username if external tools and articles rely on it, or to update your integrations and links promptly if you must make a change. Many users have asked GitHub for longer-lasting or more robust redirects, but currently, redirects are only maintained until the old username is taken by a new user.

[Rudraprasadd]

Whenever an account for some reason changes the username it breaks apps tied to that account via API or even redirecting articles and other external links. Could GitHub maybe maintain redirects or requests to the previous name to the new username probably until the old username is taken by another account?

When you change your username, GitHub automatically sets up redirects from your old username to the new one — including for repositories, gist's, and profile links.

[firu11]

I've changed my username and the GitHub mobile (Android) app showed a message saying: "Something went wrong" with a "TRY AGAIN" button when I clicked on the profile icon in the bottom bar. I needed to log out and back in. It works fine now, but this shouldn't be a thing.