How to rename photos, videos, docs, and files on iPhone or iPad

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to rename a PDF, Word doc, photo, video, or any other file or document on your iPhone and iPad.

Files, photos, and videos on iPhone

In the Files app

This is arguably the best option to rename any type of file on your iPhone. As long as you can store it in the Files app, you can rename it directly from there. But of course, for this to work, you will first have to move the file to the Files app. Once the file is in the Files app, you can follow these simple steps.

  1. Tap & hold over a file or folder and pick Rename from the menu.
  2. Type the new name and hit done on your keyboard.
Rename file in iOS Files app

Quick tip: When in Icons view, tap the current file name to start editing it instantly.

In Google Drive

  1. Find the file or folder you want to rename inside the Google Drive app.
  2. Tap the three dots icon next to it and pick Rename.
  3. Enter the new name and tap Rename.
Rename folder or file in Google Drive on iPhone

Tip: You can show Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or other such storage solutions inside the Apple Files app. And from there, rename them like you normally do in the Files app.

In Dropbox

  1. Go to the Files section of the Dropbox app.
  2. Find the media or document and tap the three dots icon next to it.
  3. Pick Rename from the menu.
  4. Type the new name and tap Rename from the top right or hit done on the iOS keyboard.
Change file name in Dropbox app on iPhone

In OneDrive

  1. Find the file you want to rename inside the Microsoft OneDrive app.
  2. Tap the three dots icon next to a file or folder and pick Rename This File/Folder.
  3. Enter the new name and tap Done.
Rename file in OneDrive app on iPhone

In the Documents app

Documents is a popular media file manager app for iPhone and iPad. Here’s how to rename files inside this app:

  1. Find the file inside the app and tap its three dots button below the current file name and choose Rename. You can also hit the More icon from the top right > Select > pick the file and tap Rename.
  2. Change the file name and hit Done.
Change file name in Documents app on iPhone

In the Music app

You can’t rename a song, album, or artist inside the Music app on iPhone or iPad. However, you can change the name of the playlist you created (image below). Besides that, you can rename your local songs on your Mac or PC and sync them to your iPhone or iPad, which will reflect the new name.

Edit the playlist name in iPhone Music app

In the Photos app

The Photos app on iPhone or iPad doesn’t offer a built-in way to change the name of pictures and videos. To do that, you will have to use your computer or move the picture to the iPhone Files app, Documents, or other apps that support renaming. After setting the desired name, you can save the image back to the Photos app.

However, if your only motive to rename pictures and videos inside the iPhone Photos app is to find them quickly by name, then a hidden feature has you covered:

  1. Open the image or video inside the Photos app.
  2. Swipe up or tap the info ⓘ icon.
  3. You’ll see the Add a Caption text field. Enter the name you want to give to this media file and tap Done.
  4. From now, whenever you search for that name inside the iPhone Photos app, it will show you that picture or video.
Add caption to picture in iPhone Photos app

Please note that your iPhone may take a few minutes to index this new information, due to which the file may not be immediately searchable with that new caption you just added.

In the Mail app

You can rename an attachment you received in the email when you’re saving it to the Files app. Here’s how:

  1. Tap & hold a file inside an email and pick Save to Files. You can also open an attachment and hit the share icon > Save to Files.
  2. From the bottom of the screen, change the name of the file and hit Save.
Rename Mail attachment on iPhone

In iWork apps (Numbers, Keynote, Pages)

When you open Numbers, Keynote, and Pages, you’ll see the Browse section, which is basically an extension of the Files app. To rename a spreadsheet, presentation, or document, just tap & hold a file and pick Rename.

Rename file in Keynote on iPhone

In Google Docs

  1. Open the Docs app, and you should see your files here.
  2. Tap the three dots icon and choose Rename.
  3. Enter the new name and hit Rename.
Change name of document in Google Docs on iPhone

In the Books app

You can’t rename a book downloaded from the Book Store. However, if you have added PDFs to the Books app, you can easily rename them:

  1. Open the Books app and tap Library.
  2. Tap the three dots icon below a PDF and choose Rename.
  3. Type the new name and touch Rename.
Rename PDF in Books app on iPhone

In Canva

Editing Canva projects on iPhone is very simple:

  1. Simply open the app and tap the three dots icon for a project visible in the Home or Projects tab.
  2. Tap the pencil icon and add the new name.
  3. Tap Done to save the changes.
Rename project in Canva on iPhone

In other apps

Finally, if you have to rename the files inside any other iOS app, the process should be similar. Just look for the icon to open the menu and from there, pick the option to change the name.

Check out next: