Uploading Files Over 100MB to GitHub: The Best Methods Explained
GitHub is a popular platform for hosting repositories and sharing code, but it has file size limitations that can make uploading large files a challenge. By default, GitHub only allows files up to 100MB to be uploaded using standard Git. If you need to upload files larger than this, you’ll need to use Git Large File Storage (Git LFS) or other methods to manage them efficiently.
In this blog post, I will show you how to upload large files to GitHub, with a practical example using Git LFS. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to handle files larger than 100MB without any issues.
GitHub File Size Limits
Before diving into the solution, let’s understand the restrictions:
- Individual File Limit: GitHub restricts any individual file larger than 100MB from being pushed through the Git command line.
- Repository Size Limit: The total size of a GitHub repository should not exceed 1GB. For larger files, Git LFS allows you to manage file storage separately while keeping Git fast and efficient.
Step-by-Step Guide: Uploading Large Files Using Git LFS
Let’s assume you want to upload a large file, such as an ISO image named USB TV Stick UTV380 Gadmei.iso, which is over 100MB.
Prerequisites:
- Git installed on your local machine.
- GitHub account with an existing repository (or you can create a new one).
- Git LFS installed on your machine.
Step 1: Install Git LFS
Git LFS (Large File Storage) is a Git extension that allows you to track and store large files separately from your repository.
Installation:
- For macOS: Run the following command in your terminal:
brew install git-lfs - For Windows: Download the Git LFS installer from the Git LFS website, or use Chocolatey:
choco install git-lfs - For Linux (Ubuntu): Install Git LFS via
apt:sudo apt install git-lfs
Once installed, you need to enable Git LFS in your repository:
git lfs install
Step 2: Initialize a Git Repository
If you don't already have a repository, create one on GitHub, then clone it to your local machine using the following command:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/your-repo-name.git
cd your-repo-name
Step 3: Track Large Files with Git LFS
Now, tell Git LFS to track the large file type (in this case, .iso). This step ensures that Git LFS handles the large file, rather than regular Git.
In your terminal, run:
git lfs track "*.iso"
This command creates or updates a .gitattributes file, which will include instructions for Git to handle .iso files using Git LFS.
Step 4: Add the Large File
Now that Git LFS is set up, add your large file to the repository:
git add "USB TV Stick UTV380 Gadmei.iso"
Make sure to also add the .gitattributes file that Git LFS created:
git add .gitattributes
Step 5: Commit Your Changes
Next, commit the files to your repository:
git commit -m "Add large ISO file using Git LFS"
Step 6: Push to GitHub
Push your changes to GitHub, and Git LFS will handle the large file upload:
git push origin main
Note: Replace
mainwith the branch name you're using, such asmasteror another branch.
Step 7: Verify Large File Upload
To verify that your large file is being tracked by Git LFS, you can run:
git lfs ls-files
This command will list the large files being managed by Git LFS. In our case, you should see:
USB TV Stick UTV380 Gadmei.iso
Other Methods for Uploading Large Files to GitHub
If your file exceeds Git LFS limits (e.g., 2 GB per file), or you have a very large project, here are some alternative approaches:
GitHub Releases: You can use GitHub’s release feature to upload large files. This allows you to attach files up to 2 GB as part of a release, which can be a useful way to share big datasets, binaries, or project files.
External Storage Services: For extremely large files, consider using cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3. You can then include download links in your repository’s README.md file.
Conclusion
Managing large files in GitHub can be tricky due to file size limits, but Git LFS offers a convenient way to store large files while keeping your repository efficient and fast. In this blog post, we covered how to use Git LFS to upload files larger than 100MB, with a practical example using an .iso file.
By following this guide, you’ll be able to push large files to your GitHub repository without running into size restrictions. Happy coding!
FAQs
Q: What’s the maximum file size I can upload using Git LFS?
A: GitHub allows you to upload files up to 2 GB using Git LFS. If you need more storage, consider external storage solutions.
Q: Can I upload large files directly through the GitHub web interface?
A: No, the GitHub web interface limits file uploads to 25MB. Use Git LFS or GitHub Releases for larger files.
Q: How much storage does Git LFS offer for free?
A: GitHub provides 1 GB of free storage and 1 GB of free bandwidth per month for Git LFS. Additional storage and bandwidth can be purchased if needed.