GitHub desktop not showing remote branches

Question

GitHub (version 3.0.5.2) for Windows no longer shows me all the remote branches. This is working with a GitHub for Enterprise server.

For example, when I click on the branches drop down, it used to show me all the remote branches in origin, but now only shows me branches I’ve checked out locally.

Is this a bug or is there some setting adjustment I need to make?

score 35 · Answer 1 · answered May 07 '16 at 07:27

35

Hit F5 on your keyboard.

You won't see anything, but it should fetch your remote branches.

answered May 07 '16 at 07:27

Jack

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I wonder why they don't add it to the GUI. But it works perfectly, thanks. – ChrisB Sep 14 '16 at 08:28
I wonder how you discovered it tho hahaha – user2773086 Feb 06 '17 at 10:18
F5 refreshes your browser, so I tried it ;-) – Jack Feb 07 '17 at 05:55
Since this works within the desktop app without having to go over to Git Shell, I think this is the best answer since OP was asking specifically about the desktop app. – Nicholas Cardot May 30 '17 at 15:17
@Jack mind explaining how you figure this out? Thanks anyways! – Odys Sep 27 '17 at 09:59
@Odys it was just a lucky guess, because F5 is an old convention for refreshing things. – Jack Oct 17 '17 at 21:44

Chris Halcrow · Answer 2 · 2015-10-16T04:22:53.660

27

You could try:

git fetch

Run this from within the directory that contains your local repository. Fetching from a repository grabs all the new remote-tracking branches and tags without merging those changes into your own branches.

This is a command that you can make via the command prompt in a command window. To use it you need to install a git CLI (Command Line Interface) - which lets you issue manual git commands.

edited Oct 16 '15 at 04:22

answered Oct 16 '15 at 03:50

Chris Halcrow

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Exactly what was needed, good answer. – Kickaha Mar 24 '16 at 23:53
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Any ideas why there isn't a GUI way to do this? – fratrik Aug 09 '16 at 19:21

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 08 '16 at 09:14

2

git fetch doesn't always to the trick it seems. If you know the name of the branch you could just simply git checkout <branch-name>. If you enter the name correctly you'll be switched to that branch.

answered Oct 08 '16 at 09:14

Alexander Høst

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GitHub desktop not showing remote branches

3 Answers3