How to rename an application on an Android phone

The standard Android interface often seems conservative to users and not flexible enough. While iPhone owners have long been accustomed to the ability to change icon names through the Commands app, Android users are faced with unexpected limitations. Smartphone manufacturers deliberately block the renaming function in standard settings, fearing confusion in the security system or complicating device support.

However, the desire to tidy up the menu and group apps at your discretion is quite natural. You may want to change the name Instagram to “Social Networks” or give the banking app a privacy-neutral name. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem is open to modification, and there are several legal methods to achieve this goal.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the available methods: from using third-party launchers to advanced methods via a computer. We will not touch on the complex procedures for obtaining root access, since modern tools allow you to achieve results using standard system tools.

Why the system blocks direct renaming

At the operating system kernel level, the name of the application is strictly tied to its manifest file. This file is contained inside the installation package .apk and is digitally signed by the developer. Any change to this file violates the integrity of the signature, which is why the Android security system blocks the app from launching.

That is why you will not find the “Rename” button in the standard application properties menu. The operating system considers the name to be part of the app identifier and not just a decorative label. Direct interference with system files without special access rights can lead to unstable operation of the interface or complete failure of the application.

⚠️ Attention: Attempts to modify system files through file managers with superuser rights (Root) without proper qualifications can lead to “bricking” the device or disruption of banking applications that detect interference in the system.

However, the visual layer of the operating system - the so-called launcher - has certain rights to display information. It is through this intermediate layer that we will replace names without affecting the app code itself.

Changing the name through the settings of the native launcher

Some smartphone manufacturers build the function of customizing icons directly into their proprietary shells. This is the simplest and safest method that does not require the installation of additional software. First of all, you should check the capabilities of your current interface.

On brand devices Xiaomi, Honor and some models Samsung the name change function is often hidden in deep theming menus. You need to hold your finger on the application icon on the desktop and wait for the context menu to appear. If there is an “Edit” item or a pencil icon, you are in luck.

In the MIUI shell from the company Xiaomi the algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Long-press the application icon on the main screen.
• 🖊️ Click on the one that appears edit icon (pencil) or select “Edit”.
• ✍️ Enter a new name in the text field that appears and confirm the action.
• ✅ Check the result - the name under the icon should change.

If there are no such options in your menu, it means that the manufacturer has disabled this function at the firmware level. In this case, proceed to the next section, where we will look at installing a third-party launcher.

Using third-party launchers for complete customization

The most effective way to change the name of any application is to install an alternative launcher. These are special apps that completely replace your phone's desktop, providing advanced interface management capabilities. Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcherhave built-in functionality for editing shortcuts.

After installing and activating the new launcher in the Android settings, the renaming process becomes trivial. You just need to hold down the icon, select “Edit” and enter the desired name. At the same time, the application itself continues to work as normal, only the visual labels on the desktop change.

For users who value minimalism, the launcher Niagara Launcheris perfect. It allows you to change the names in your list of applications, although with some restrictions compared to classic icon grids.

It is worth noting that some launchers require a paid version (Prime) to open the shortcut editing function. Free versions often limit only changing the wallpaper and icon grid. Therefore, before installing, carefully study the description of the application in Google Play.

Creating shortcuts through the “Teams” application (Google Shortcuts)

If you do not want to change the entire desktop, but there is no renaming function in the current launcher, you can use the system application from Google called “Shortcut Maker”. This method creates a new shortcut on the desktop, which is essentially a link to the original application, but with your name and icon.

Download the application Shortcut Maker from the Play Market store. Launch it and select the "Applications" section. Find the desired app in the list, for example Telegram. Click on it and the shortcut settings menu will open.

In the “Name” field, delete the standard name and enter your own. You can also replace the icon with any picture from the gallery. Once configured, click the “Create Shortcut” button. A new icon with your name will appear on the desktop.

Method	Difficulty	Requires software installation	Impact on the system
Native launcher	Low	No	Absent
Third-party launcher	Medium	Yes	Replacement interface
Shortcut application	Medium	Yes	Icon duplication
ADB commands	High	No (PC required)	Global change

⚠️ Attention: When using the method with creating shortcuts, two icons of the same application may appear on your screen: the original and the new one. The old icon can be removed from the desktop (without deleting the application itself) to avoid confusion.

Global renaming via ADB (for advanced users)

For those who want to change the name of the application globally - that is, in the entire menu, in settings and in the task manager, and not just on the desktop - there is a method using USB debugging. This method does not require root access, but does require a computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

You will need to install the package on your computer ADB (Android Debug Bridge). On your phone you need to activate developer mode and enable USB debugging in the menu Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times). Then connect the smartphone to the PC with a cable.

The process of changing the name is carried out through the command to change the alias (alias) of the activity. The command syntax is as follows:

adb shell pm rename-package --new-name com.example.newname com.example.oldname

However, this command does not work on all versions of Android and depends on the specific implementation of PackageManager. A more reliable, but complex way is to use utilities App Manager or Activity Launcher in conjunction with ADB to replace metadata.

Risks of using ADB

If you enter incorrect commands through ADB, you can disrupt the operation of system services. Always double-check command syntax and package names before pressing Enter. An error in one letter can make the application uninstallable.

This method is considered the “nuclear” option. It changes the identifier that the system sees. After this procedure, updating applications through the Play Market may become impossible, since the system will assume that you have installed a app with a different name. Use this method only if you understand the consequences.

Features of renaming on different versions of Android

The interface and available features are highly dependent on the version of the operating system. On older versions, such as Android 8 or 9, the restrictions were less strict, and many launchers had full access to the shortcut file system. In modern versions Android 12, 13 and 14 Google's security policy has become more stringent.

Owners of smartphones based on pure Android (series Pixel, Moto) often have fewer customization options out of the box compared to users of Chinese firmware. However, it is on pure Android that third-party launchers work most stably and predictably. If you have a device with One UI shell, pay attention to the application and module. This official tool from Samsung allows you to deeply customize your desktop, including hidden settings for displaying app names that are not available in the regular menu.

If you have a device from Samsung with One UI skin, pay attention to the application Good Lock and module Home Up. This official tool from Samsung allows you to deeply customize your desktop, including hidden settings for displaying app names that are not available in the regular menu.

Checklist for preparing to change the interface

Before you start mass changing names and rearranging icons, it is recommended to perform several preparatory steps. This will help avoid loss of data and nerves in case something doesn’t go according to plan.

Make sure you have access to the Internet to download the necessary applications. If you plan to use the ADB method, check that the USB cable is working and that the drivers are available on your computer. Do not rush to delete the original shortcuts until you are sure that the new ones work correctly.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will the renamed application disappear after the update?

If you used a third-party launcher or application to create shortcuts, then after updating the app itself, its name in the system will remain old, but your shortcut will retain the new name. However, if you used the ADB method or editing system files, updating the application through the Play Market may return the original name or even cause an installation error.

Is it possible to rename system applications (Phone, Messages)?

You can only rename system applications visually through a third-party launcher. Global renaming of system components via ADB is highly not recommended, as this may disrupt the operation of other services that access them by their internal name.

Is it safe to use launchers for banking applications?

Yes, using launchers is safe. The launcher only displays an icon; it does not have access to data inside the banking application. However, some banks may require that the application be launched only from the original desktop for security purposes, but this is rare.

How can I return everything as it was if I don’t like it?

Simply remove the installed launcher or shortcut application. The system will automatically return to the standard interface. If you changed the names through the native theme settings, go to the theme and apply the standard default theme.

Does changing the name affect the operation of notifications?

No, notifications will arrive correctly. The notification shade usually displays the name of the package or the original name of the application, but in some launchers you can configure the display of the shortcut name in notifications.