GitHub Retires Email Notifications for Repository Push Events
GitHub has retired its built-in email notifications for repository push events as of October 15, 2026. Developers who rely on these notifications must now implement custom workflows using GitHub Actions and external email services.
What changed?
As of October 15, 2026, GitHub no longer sends email notifications for repository push events. The feature has been fully retired in order to prevent spam and abuse, as recipients did not have to consent before receiving these automated emails.
Why does it matter to an everyday developer?
Developers and teams that previously depended on GitHub's native support for email-based push notifications will no longer receive these messages. This change affects workflows that alerted contributors or stakeholders of repository updates via email, requiring project maintainers to seek alternative notification strategies if real-time email alerts are still needed.
What can the developer do now?
To continue receiving email notifications for push events, developers can create a GitHub Actions workflow that triggers on push events. This workflow can be configured to send emails through an external SMTP server or email provider, allowing greater control and consent management for recipients.
