Managing a digital archive on a mobile device often turns into a chore, especially when it comes to putting the names of photos, documents or music in order. The standard Android interface allows you to change names one at a time, which becomes extremely inefficient when there is a large amount of data. Fortunately, there are tools and methods that allow you to automate this process or perform it for a group of objects at the same time.
In this material, we will examine various approaches to solving the problem of mass renaming, from the built-in capabilities of explorers to advanced scripts. You will learn which File managers have the necessary functionality and how to use a connection to a computer to speed up work. Understanding these methods will save you hours of monotonous work.
Using built-in system tools
Most modern smartphones come with a pre-installed file manager, the functionality of which is constantly expanding. In the latest versions of the shell One UI from Samsung or MIUI from Xiaomi, functions for selecting a group of objects have appeared. However, it is worth noting that the ability to change the names of all selected files with a single click is not implemented in all stock applications.
Usually the algorithm of actions is as follows: you need to hold your finger on the first file, then mark the remaining elements in the list. After this, in the context menu, called through three dots or the “More” button, you should look for the “Rename” item. If the system supports batch processing, it will prompt you to enter a base name and add numbering.
If the standard application Files or My files does not have such an option, this is a limitation of a specific manufacturer, and not the Android platform itself. In this case, the system will offer to rename objects sequentially, opening a dialog box for each element separately, which negates the benefits of mass selection.
⚠️ Attention: When using standard tools, be careful with file extensions. Accidentally removing a period and three letters at the end of the name (for example, .jpg) can make the file unreadable for the gallery or player.
If the standard Explorer does not allow you to change names in a group, do not waste time trying to bypass the restriction - go straight to installing a third-party application.
Third-party file managers with batch processing
The most effective solution for complex data organization tasks is to install specialized software. Applications like Total Commander, Solid Explorer or CX File Explorer provide advanced tools for working with the file system that are not available in stock solutions.
These apps implement a full-fledged mass renaming mechanism. After selecting a group of files through a long press, the “Rename” option appears in the lower menu or through the action button. Often, a Find and Replace mode is available here, allowing you to change part of the name in all selected objects at the same time.
- 📁 Total Commander: offers a powerful "Batch Rename" tool with support for masks and regular expressions.
- 🎨 Solid Explorer: has an intuitive interface and allows you to add prefixes, suffixes and counters to names.
- 🚀 CX File Explorer: lightweight and a fast manager with the function of batch changing names without unnecessary advertising.
The function of using masks deserves special attention. You can set a pattern, for example Vacation_#.jpg, where the hash symbol will be automatically replaced with a serial number. This allows you to instantly organize hundreds of photos taken during your trip, giving them logical names.
Working with masks and regular expressions
For advanced users who require complex renaming logic, regular expressions (Regex) are indispensable. This tool allows you to find complex patterns in file names and replace them according to specified rules. For example, you can remove all numbers from names or replace spaces with underscores throughout the entire folder.
The syntax may seem complicated to a beginner, but the result is worth the effort. In the same Total Commander or Advanced Rename you can create a rule that converts names of the form IMG_20231001_123045.jpg into a more readable format Photo_01-10-2023.jpg. This is achieved by selecting groups of characters and rearranging them.
When working with regular expressions, it is critical to first test the template on a small group of files. A syntax error can cause all files to have the same name or lose their extension. Always use the Preview function if it is available in the application.
⚠️ Attention: Regular expressions are case sensitive and special characters. One extra parenthesis can break the entire renaming script, so test the rules on a test folder.
Example of a simple regular expression
Search: \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2} Replacement: Date. This will replace any date in YYYY-MM-DD format with the word Date in all selected files.
Comparison of popular renaming tools
To help you choose the best tool, we have compiled a comparison table of the main functions of popular applications. Different apps have their own strengths: some are focused on simplicity, others on maximum flexibility of settings.
| Application | Mass renaming | Regex support | Russian interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Files | Partially / No | No | Yes |
| Total Commander | Yes (powerful) | Yes | Yes |
| Solid Explorer | Yes (basic) | No | Yes |
| Advanced Rename | Yes (professional) | Yes | Partially |
As can be seen from the table, for simple tasks (add a number or prefix) suitable Solid Explorer. If complex filtering and processing of names according to rules is required, specialized utilities like Total Commander or specialized utilities like Advanced Renameare irreplaceable. The choice depends on your willingness to understand the settings.
For 90% of users, the functions of Solid Explorer are sufficient, but for professional work with data archives, Total Commander is required.
Using a computer for batch renaming
Sometimes the smartphone screen is too small to conveniently work with large lists of files. In such situations, the most rational solution is to connect the device to the PC via a USB cable. The computer provides more powerful tools and the convenience of input from a physical keyboard.
After connecting in the mode MTP (File Transfer) you get access to the internal memory of the smartphone as a regular network drive. In the Windows operating system, you can select a group of files, press the key F2 and enter a new name. The system will automatically apply it to all objects, adding an index in brackets.
For more complex tasks on the computer, there are apps like PowerToys from Microsoft or Bulk Rename Utility. They allow you to sync changes with your phone almost instantly. This method is especially effective when processing thousands of photos or documents when touch input becomes an obstacle.
- 💻 Connect your smartphone with a cable and select the “File Transfer” mode.
- 📂 Open the data folder through “Explorer” on your computer.
- ✏️ Select the files you need mouse and use the PC functions to rename.
⚠️ Attention: Do not disconnect the cable during the process of renaming a large number of files. This can lead to a write error and damage to the file table on the smartphone.
Automation through the console and scripts
For users familiar with the technical side of Android, there is a method of renaming via the command line ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires enabling USB debugging and having the driver installed on the computer, but gives full control over the system.
Using the command mv (move) you can rename files directly from the terminal. For bulk processing, you can write a simple script in the language Bash or use loops on the command line. This allows you to implement any renaming logic that cannot be done through the GUI.
adb shellcd /sdcard/Download
for f in *.txt; do mv "$f" "backup_$f"; done
The above example code connects to the smartphone shell, goes to the downloads folder and adds a prefix backup_ to all text files. This approach is ideal for system administrators or developers who need to quickly tidy up their directory structure.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to rename files in Android system folders?
Without presence root access access to system partitions is usually closed for writing. An attempt to rename files in folders like /system or /data through a regular file manager will result in an access error. For such operations, specialized software with superuser rights is required.
What to do if the files do not open after renaming?
Most likely, it was changed or deleted file extension (part of the name after the dot). Make sure that the extension matches the file type: .jpg for photos, .mp3 for music, .pdf for documents. Return the correct extension and the file will be accessible again.
Is the file creation date preserved when renaming?
Yes, the standard renaming procedure only changes the name metadata, without affecting the creation or modification date. However, when copying files to a computer and back, the date may be reset to the current one if you do not use special synchronization modes.
How to rename files with Cyrillic to Latin in bulk?
To transliterate names, it is best to use the “Search and Replace” function in advanced file managers or scripts on a PC. Some applications, such as Total Commander, have plugins for automatic transliteration of file names.