How can I give access to a private GitHub repository?

Question

I have a private git repository and I would like to extend its access to a member of my team. Will I be able to do it through the Github website? I have the username of my member.

I have tried to do this by going through the admin page of the repository but there isn't such an option as I am not the owner.

score 88 · Answer 1 · edited Nov 26 '20 at 12:58

88

If you are the owner it is simple:

Go to your repo and click the Settings button.
In the left menu click Collaborators
Then Add their name.

Then collaborator should visit this example repo link https://github.com/user/repo/invitations

Source: Github Docs.

edited Nov 26 '20 at 12:58

rofrol

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answered Dec 03 '12 at 12:15

Arthur Clemens

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this did not work. it complains about a public key when they try and clone the repo. – davidjnelson Jul 19 '13 at 06:06
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I think, it's Settings button on the right side in your repo as I can't see Admin button for my case. – Kamrul Jul 24 '13 at 01:45
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Since the interface overhaul mid 2013 it is called Settings. – Arthur Clemens Aug 03 '13 at 00:25
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This also gives them write access. If you want to give read-only access, you should use an organisation. – Charles Milette Nov 16 '16 at 12:27
This did not work for me. I added a user for a private repo (as a collaborator) but they can't pull from it.. – rj2700 Nov 30 '16 at 16:04
It's called [manage access](https://stackoverflow.com/a/60587142/3681880) now. – Suragch Mar 08 '20 at 11:46
What if you aren't the owner? Is it even possible? – seeker_after_truth Nov 29 '22 at 18:10

score 25 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 01 '20 at 12:18

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It is a simple 3 Step Process :
1) Go to your private repo and click on settings
2) To the left of the screen click on Manage access
3) Then Click on Invite Collaborator

answered Mar 01 '20 at 12:18

sauravjoshi23

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The year 2020 answer. – KANJICODER Mar 24 '20 at 10:37
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collaborator gets 404 because it's private currently. – Daniel Hill Apr 09 '20 at 05:52
For private repos, can we give admin access to someone instead of a collaborator role? I could see only the collaborator option only. – NShiva Oct 06 '21 at 15:44
There is no settings on my private repo. – Mike Wise Dec 12 '22 at 10:23

score 14 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 11 '22 at 15:54

14

It is a simple 3 Step Process :

Go to your private repo and click on settings
To the left of the screen click on Manage access
Then Click on Invite Collaborator

The invited user needs to be logged in to Github before clicking the invitation link in their email or they'll get a 404 error.

Heres a screenshot of how to do it:

edited Jan 11 '22 at 15:54

Daniel Selvan

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answered Nov 04 '20 at 15:20

Xaxxus

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score 5 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 20 '14 at 20:33

Two steps:
1. Login and click "Invite someone" in the right column under "People". Enter and select persons github id.
2. It will then give you the option to "Invite Username to some teams" at which point you simply check off which teams you want to add them to then click "Send Invitation"

Alternatively:
1. Get the persons github id (not their email)
2. Navigate to the repository you would like to add the user to
3. Click "Settings" in the right column (not the gearbox settings along the top)
4. Click Collaborators long the left column
5. Select the repository name
6. Where it reads "Invite or add users to team" add the persons github id
7. An invitation will then be e-mailed.

Please let me know how this worked for you!

score 4 · Answer 5 · edited Sep 09 '20 at 14:57

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It is a simple 3 Step Process :

Go to your private repo and click on settings
To the left of the screen click on Manage access
Then Click on Invite Collaborator

This, but also - the invited user needs to be logged in to Github before clicking the invitation link in their email or they'll get a 404 error.

edited Sep 09 '20 at 14:57

kk.

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answered Sep 09 '20 at 06:42

Arielle Carr

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score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 04 '12 at 18:58

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It´s possible via Github Organizations. You have to create a new account.

https://github.com/organizations/new

answered Jun 04 '12 at 18:58

Sebastian Keßler

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score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Feb 12 '21 at 04:01

1

It's working in 2021,

Though the Repo has to be made private first then the click on
settings => Manage access => Invite Collaborator

The user who gets the repo access has to navigate to the repo and can make changes to the main branch.

answered Feb 12 '21 at 04:01

Prajwal Raju P

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score -2 · Answer 8 · answered Jul 08 '14 at 02:56

-2

Your team members must be accessing the repository using SSH & for that they have to have their ssh key mapped with github account. This will work if they map their ssh key with github account and also the repository has public rights, which they want to access.

answered Jul 08 '14 at 02:56

StackUser

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You shouldn't write this like its the only way to do this, Although this can be achieved its cumbersome at best at the alternatives are easier and fast, offer both if you want to provide a thorough solution – Cacoon Jan 10 '18 at 01:30

How can I give access to a private GitHub repository?

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