How To Rename A File In Android

Quick tips to show you how to rename any file in Android in a few seconds.

We all know how easy it is to manage and rename files on our desktop or laptop computers. However, doing it on our Android phone may turn out a bit tricky (especially if you are a new Android user).

Fortunately, there are tons of apps that let us do almost anything we like with our smartphones.

The easiest and quickest way is to install and use a file manager app.  In this short tutorial I will show you how to rename a file in Android  with the use of the File Commander app or your desktop or laptop computer.

Choose and Install a File Manager App

There are really hundreds of file managers available on Google Play once you type “file manager” in the search bar

How To Rename A File In Android

It’s totally up to you which one you will choose. I recommend using one of the below:

I use File Commander – File Manager simply because I had this app preinstalled on my Sony Xperia Z5 (from which most of screenshots for my tutorials come). I also used Total Commander and ES File Explorer on different Android phones I once had (there were really a lot of them) and really liked these apps.

All of the above four apps are equally great, so it’s best to install two or three of them and choose the one you like the most.  Each one has  a bit different interface but similar features and functions.

Let’s move to the practical part.

How to Rename a File in Android Using an App

The example I show you below is with the use of File Commander – File Manager. Here is how you rename files in Android step by step.

  • Install File Commander – File Manager from Google Play.
  • Open the app to be able to manage and browse files on your Android device.
How To Rename A File In AndroidAs you can see, File Commander – File Manager has very intuitive interface that lets you browse files by their category (pictures, videos, music etc.) or where they are stored (internal storage or SD card if you have one).

Let’s say you want to rename a picture that is on internal storage. Navigate to the desired folder (Internal storage > DCIM >100ANDRO) and click on the three dots that appear next to the file size.

Renaming a file in Android

Choose rename, enter the new name of the file and click OK. That’s it.

How to rename a file in Android

You have just successfully renamed a file on your Android device.

How to Rename a File in Android Using Desktop or Laptop Computer

You can also manage and browse files on your Android device once you connect it to your desktop or laptop computer. Let me show you how simple it is.

  • Connect your Android device to your laptop or desktop computer.
  • Make sure that your device is unlocked so that you can access its memory. If your device is locked or encrypted (and you haven’t entered the password yet), you won’t be able to browse the files on it.
  • Once you connect and unlock your Android device, you will also be able to browse either its internal storage or SD card.

Let’s navigate to a file on the internal storage like we just did using File Commander – File Go to the exact same folder, that is, Internal storage > DCIM >100ANDRO.

Right-click on the file you want to rename (just like you would do on any file on your computer) and choose rename. You can also select the file and press F2 to enter the new name.

Type the new name and press ENTER. Done!

WORD OF ADVICE: If you have been browsing your Android device for some time, it’s possible that it has already locked itself (if you protected it with a password or encrypted it). If your device locked itself, you will encounter an error when trying to change the file name (the folder will stop responding).

Make sure your device is not locked when you are introducing any changes to the files.


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