Rename Files and Folders on Android

How to Rename Files and Folders on Android Devices.

Learn how to change file and folder names on your Android phone to keep your documents, photos, and downloads organized.

If you have files with names like “”IMG_20260126_143522.jpg”” that do not tell you much, renaming them can help. A good file name makes it easier to find what you need later, whether you are searching on your phone, sending an email, or looking through your downloads.

This guide uses a Sony Xperia 1V running Android 15 with the Files by Google app. The steps are very similar on most Android phones and with most file manager apps.

Why Rename Files and Folders?

Giving your files clear and meaningful names helps in several ways:

· You can find the file faster when searching
· You know what the file contains without opening it
· You can add dates or project names to keep things organized
· Files are easier to identify when you send them by email

How to Rename a File from the Main View

The fastest way to rename a file is from the main screen of your file manager.

Here is how to do it in Files by Google:

· Open the Files by Google app
· Tap on a category like Images, Videos, or Downloads
· Find the file you want to rename
· Tap the three dots menu next to the file (not on the file itself)
· Tap Rename
· Type the new name
· Tap OK or Save

Be careful not to delete the file extension. The extension is the part after the last dot, like .jpg, .png, .pdf, or .mp4. Removing or changing it can make the file unopenable.

How to Rename a File from Inside a Folder

If you prefer to see the actual folder structure on your phone, you can rename files that way too.

Here is how to do it:

· Open Files by Google
· Tap Internal storage (or a similar option showing your phone’s storage)
· Navigate to the folder containing your file. Common folders include:
· Downloads for downloaded files
· Documents for document files
· DCIM or Pictures for photos
· Movies for videos
· Find the file you want to rename
· Tap the three dots menu next to it
· Tap Rename
· Type the new name and tap OK

How to Rename a Folder

You can rename folders just like files. This is useful when you want to reorganize how your files are grouped.

Here is how to rename a folder:

· Open Files by Google
· Tap Internal storage
· Navigate to the folder you want to rename
· Tap the three dots menu next to the folder
· Tap Rename
· Type the new folder name
· Tap OK

Renaming a folder does not affect the files inside it. They stay exactly where they are.

A Warning About File Extensions

When you rename a file, you will see something like this at the end of the name:

.jpg – for photos
.png – for screenshots or images with transparent backgrounds
.pdf – for documents
.mp4 – for videos
.txt – for text files

Do not delete or change these last few characters. If you accidentally remove the extension, the file may not open anymore.

Here is a safe example:

· Old name: IMG_20260126.jpg
· New name: Vacation_photo_2026.jpg (keep the .jpg)

Here is what not to do:

· Vacation_photo_2026 (missing .jpg – file may not open)

If you do accidentally remove the extension, you can fix it by renaming the file again and adding the correct extension back. This only works if you know what type of file it was originally.

Where Are Different Types of Files Stored?

Knowing where to look for your files makes renaming easier.

File type Typical folder location
Photos from camera DCIM or DCIM/Camera
Screenshots Pictures/Screenshots
Downloaded files Downloads
Documents Documents
Recorded videos Movies

These folder names may vary slightly depending on your phone brand.

Final Tip

When naming files, use something that will make sense to you later. Including the date in YYYY-MM-DD format (like 2026-01-26) keeps files in order when sorted by name. Including a short description like “”invoice”” or “”meeting_notes”” tells you what the file contains without opening it.