diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml b/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml
index 2a9755efa6..52d1fccae1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_loop.yml
@@ -233,26 +233,43 @@ jobs:
           vars.SCHEDULED_SYNC != 'false' && github.repository_owner != 'LoopKit' && needs.check_latest_from_upstream.outputs.ABORT_SYNC == 'false'
         id: sync
         run: |
-          # First try the standard fork sync action
-          set +e
-          echo "Attempting standard fork sync..."
+          set -e
+          echo "Starting upstream sync process..."
           
-          # Use the fork sync action first
-          gh extension install aormsby/gh-fork-sync || echo "Extension already installed"
+          # Try to install gh-fork-sync extension if not already installed
+          if ! gh extension list | grep -q "aormsby/gh-fork-sync"; then
+            echo "Installing gh-fork-sync extension..."
+            gh extension install aormsby/gh-fork-sync || echo "Failed to install extension"
+          fi
           
-          # Try fork sync with the action approach first
-          sync_result=0
+          # Try gh-fork-sync first if available
+          if gh extension list | grep -q "aormsby/gh-fork-sync"; then
+            echo "Using gh-fork-sync extension..."
+            set +e
+            gh fork-sync --upstream "$UPSTREAM_REPO" --branch "$TARGET_BRANCH"
+            sync_result=$?
+            set -e
+            
+            if [ $sync_result -eq 0 ]; then
+              echo "Fork sync completed successfully"
+              echo "has_new_commits=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+              exit 0
+            else
+              echo "Fork sync failed, falling back to custom script..."
+            fi
+          else
+            echo "gh-fork-sync not available, using custom script..."
+          fi
           
-          # If the action approach fails, use our custom script
-          echo "Using custom sync script to handle potential conflicts..."
+          # Use our custom script as fallback or primary method
+          echo "Using custom sync script to handle merge conflicts..."
           bash ./Scripts/sync_with_upstream.sh
           sync_result=$?
           
           if [ $sync_result -eq 0 ]; then
-            echo "Sync completed successfully"
-            echo "has_new_commits=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "Custom sync completed successfully"
           else
-            echo "Sync failed"
+            echo "Custom sync failed"
             exit 1
           fi
         env:
diff --git a/Scripts/sync_with_upstream.sh b/Scripts/sync_with_upstream.sh
index a4f08d81a8..fd4dca9bf5 100755
--- a/Scripts/sync_with_upstream.sh
+++ b/Scripts/sync_with_upstream.sh
@@ -71,10 +71,14 @@ fi
 
 # Attempt merge with upstream
 echo -e "${YELLOW}Attempting to merge upstream changes${NC}"
-if git merge "upstream/$UPSTREAM_BRANCH" --no-edit; then
+if git merge "upstream/$UPSTREAM_BRANCH" --no-edit --allow-unrelated-histories; then
     echo -e "${GREEN}Successfully merged upstream changes without conflicts${NC}"
     echo -e "${GREEN}Pushing changes to origin${NC}"
-    git push origin "$TARGET_BRANCH"
+    if [ "$GH_PAT" = "dummy" ]; then
+        echo -e "${YELLOW}Skipping push (dummy PAT provided)${NC}"
+    else
+        git push origin "$TARGET_BRANCH"
+    fi
     exit 0
 fi