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You are here: Home / iPad / How to rename documents using Files App on iOS 13 and iPadOS

How to rename documents using Files App on iOS 13 and iPadOS

By SK 5 comments Last updated August 6, 2019

The newly designed Files app in iOS 13 brings many new improvements over the previous version. Not only do you get more detailed information about any file when using the app, but there are new controls available to you in iOS 13 which make managing files a breeze.

iOS 13 and iPadOS Files app now also features support for external USB storage, SD Card as well as the ability to work with File servers/network share drives that support SMB 3.0. Files app has also added the new Shared folders feature with improved permissions and privilege management that aids in better collaboration.

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Apart from these advanced features, Apple has also focused on how users can do some every day tasks easily when using the app. One of these improvements centers around renaming existing Files and Folders.

How to Rename Documents in Files App using iOS 13

When you save documents into Files from various sources such as PDF from Safari etc, it saves them with the original download name. In iOS 12, there was no straight forward way to rename a file on your iPhone when using the Files App.

  • Open Files App on your iPhone
  • Tap on Browse at the bottom right and locate the document
  • Long Press on a document thumbnail in the Files App

    Rename a document of Folder in Files App
    Explore the new Files app controls in iOS 13 and iPadOS
  • Choose ‘Rename’ from the context menu
  • Type the new document name overriding the old one in the text box.

    Rename document in Files App on iPadOS
    Enter the new name and press ‘Done’
  • Tap Done once complete

Its that simple in iOS 13! The old file name is renamed immediately.

Rename Folders in Files app using Context menu

Renaming a Folder in the Files app works in the same manner. 

Simply Long press on the Folder that you want to rename and choose ‘Rename’ from the context menu to get started.

Rename Folders in iOS 13 and iPadOS
Explore the other File app controls from this context menu.

A word of caution when using External or USB drives with your iPhone or iPad. Please note that the file formats supported with external drives are Unencrypted APFS, Unencrypted HFS+, FAT and exFAT.

Make sure to check out our comprehensive coverage of the new Files App on iPadOS:

  • Everything in the new Files app for iPadOS
  • External hard drive not working with iPad or iPhone using iPadOS or iOS 13?
  • How to zip and unzip files on your iPad with iPadOS

We hope that you found this short article useful. Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or if you would like to share a favorite tip or two.

sudz - apple
SK

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

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Reader Interactions

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Show 5 Comments

  1. Ron.S says

    July 26, 2020 at 11:20 AM

    The Files App in iOS13 does NOT allow for renaming a file extension. You can only rename the primary name of a file. For example, if I have a .doc extension, I cannot change it to .pdf , in case a file extension has not been categorized properly.

    Reply
  2. Joe says

    April 14, 2020 at 7:38 AM

    In the pages app! Why can’t I name a file before I save it? Going to the folder to change the name is the dumbest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Can’t Apple get it right?
    Joe.L

    Reply
  3. John Huron says

    October 17, 2019 at 2:44 PM

    Do you know if it is possible to rename a SD card using the Files app or any other ios app for that matter?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      October 21, 2019 at 11:39 AM

      Hi John,

      While you can rename files and folders, you cannot rename an SD card or external drive at this time with iOS13 or iPadOS–at least not that we can discover.

      If you find a way, let us know.

      Liz

      Reply
  4. Shinard Patterson says

    October 11, 2019 at 3:33 AM

    Hello,

    I’m receiving an error every time I try to rename a file name on my iPad Pro 11.

    When I try to rename the file I get two blue dots and then my IPad is frozen.

    Can someone help?

    Reply

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