Ultimate Guide: Change iOS App Name in Xcode

To change the name of an iOS app in Xcode, you need to modify multiple components including the bundle display name (what appears under the app icon), project name, target settings, and bundle identifier. This process involves updating the info.plist file, project settings, and potentially source code references to ensure consistency throughout your development environment.

Contents

• Understanding the Different Types of App Names in Xcode
• Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your iOS App Name
• Changing the Bundle Display Name (Home Screen Name)
• Renaming the Xcode Project
• Updating Target Settings and Scheme
• Modifying Bundle Identifier
• Complete Project Renaming (Including Files and Code)
• Common Issues and Troubleshooting
• Best Practices for App Renaming

Understanding the Different Types of App Names in Xcode

In Xcode, there are several different “names” associated with your iOS app that serve different purposes:

Bundle Display Name - This is the most important name for end users, as it’s the text that appears below the app icon on the home screen of iOS devices. This is what most people consider the “app name.”

Project Name - The name of the Xcode project itself, visible in the project navigator and .xcodeproj file.

Target Name - The build configuration in Xcode that defines how your app is compiled and linked.

Scheme Name - The configuration used for building, running, and debugging your app.

Bundle Identifier - A unique identifier in reverse DNS format (like com.yourcompany.appname) that distinguishes your app from others on the App Store and devices.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial because a complete app renaming process requires updating all of these components to maintain consistency and avoid build errors.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your iOS App Name

Here’s a comprehensive approach to renaming your iOS app in Xcode:

1. First, decide what you want to change:

   • Just the display name on the home screen?
   • The entire project including all files and code?
   • Or something in between?

2. Start with the Bundle Display Name - This is the safest and easiest change.

3. If renaming the entire project:

   • Close Xcode
   • Backup your project
   • Follow the complete renaming process
   • Test thoroughly before committing changes

4. Test your changes on both simulator and physical device before proceeding to more complex renaming.

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Changing the Bundle Display Name (Home Screen Name)

The bundle display name is the text that appears under your app icon on iOS devices. This is what most users consider the “app name.”

Steps to change the bundle display name:

1. In the Xcode project navigator, select your project file
2. In the central editor, select your app target under “TARGETS”
3. Go to the Info tab
4. Find Bundle display name in the Custom iOS Target Properties section
5. Edit the value to your desired app name
6. Alternatively, you can edit the Info.plist file directly and modify the Bundle display name key

Important: Changing only the bundle display name won’t affect your project structure or existing installations. It’s the safest way to rename your app if you only need to change what users see on their home screens.

According to Apple’s Technical Q&A QA1823, you should search for “Bundle display name” in the property list to locate this setting.

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Renaming the Xcode Project

To rename the actual Xcode project:

1. Select your project in the Project navigator (the blue top-level item)
2. Open the File Inspector (View → Utilities → Show File Inspector)
3. In the Identity and Type section, find the Project Name field
4. Double-click the current name and enter your new project name
5. Press Return to accept the change
6. A dialog will appear listing all items that can be renamed - review carefully and click Rename

This method, as described in Apple’s QA1625 documentation, is the official way to rename your Xcode project while maintaining proper references.

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Updating Target Settings and Scheme

After renaming your project, you’ll need to update the target and scheme:

Target Name:

1. Select your project in the navigator
2. Click on your app target under “TARGETS”
3. The target name should be editable - double-click to rename
4. Make sure the product name matches your desired app name

Scheme Name:

1. Click the scheme button (next to the Stop button in the toolbar)
2. Select Manage Schemes…
3. Find your old scheme name, right-click and choose Rename
4. Enter your new scheme name
5. Click Close

As noted in Apple Developer Forums, these steps are essential to ensure your build configurations work correctly after renaming.

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Modifying Bundle Identifier

The bundle identifier is crucial for app distribution and updates:

1. Select your project and target
2. Go to the General tab
3. Find Bundle Identifier under the “Identity” section
4. Update it to follow the reverse DNS format (e.g., com.yourcompany.newappname)

Warning: If your app is already on the App Store or installed on devices, changing the bundle identifier will create a completely separate app. Users will need to download the new version separately.

According to John Codeos’s tutorial, you should be very careful with bundle identifier changes in production environments.

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Complete Project Renaming (Including Files and Code)

For a complete project rename including all files and code references:

1. Close Xcode and create a backup of your project
2. Rename the main project file (.xcodeproj) in Finder
3. Open the project in Xcode and rename it using the File Inspector method
4. Update all file references:
   • Check the Build Phases tab for any references to old names
   • Update Podfile if you’re using CocoaPods
   • Check Info.plist for any hardcoded paths or names
5. Refactor code references:
   • Right-click on class/struct names and use Refactor → Rename
   • Update any storyboard or xib files that reference old names
6. Clean and rebuild your project (Product → Clean Build Folder)

For a more systematic approach, Create with Swift recommends using Xcode’s built-in refactoring tools to ensure all code references are updated consistently.

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Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Build Errors After Renaming:

• Clean build folder (Product → Clean Build Folder)
• Check for missing file references in Build Phases
• Verify all storyboard/xib connections are still valid

App Store Submission Issues:

• Bundle identifier must match what’s registered on App Store Connect
• Display name must comply with App Store Review Guidelines
• Test thoroughly with different device sizes and orientations

Device Installation Problems:

• If changing bundle identifier, users will see it as a separate app
• Consider using App Store’s app transfer feature for published apps

According to Stack Overflow discussions, many developers encounter issues when they don’t update all the necessary components consistently.

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Best Practices for App Renaming

Before Renaming:

• Create a complete project backup
• Test that your app builds and runs successfully
• Check for any external dependencies or integrations

During Renaming:

• Update all components systematically (don’t skip steps)
• Use Xcode’s refactoring tools for code changes
• Verify each change before proceeding to the next

After Renaming:

• Test thoroughly on multiple devices and iOS versions
• Update documentation and README files
• Coordinate with team members if working in a group

Production Considerations:

• If your app is already published, consult Apple’s guidelines for app name changes
• Consider the impact on existing users and reviews
• Plan for proper migration if changing bundle identifier

As Repeato’s guide emphasizes, systematic testing after each renaming step is crucial to avoid frustrating build errors and runtime issues.

Sources

1. How can I change the name of an iOS app in Xcode? - Stack Overflow
2. Technical Q&A QA1625: How do I rename my application in Xcode? - Apple Developer
3. Technical Q&A QA1823: Updating the Display Name of Your App - Apple Developer
4. How to Change the Name of an iOS App in Xcode - Repeato
5. Safely Renaming Your Xcode Project - Create with Swift
6. How to change your Project Name & Bundle ID in Xcode - John Codeos
7. How can I change app name? - Apple Developer Forums
8. The Complete Guide on How to Rename an iOS App - Photone
9. How to Rename the Xcode Project (Including all the files & folders) - GitHub
10. iphone - How to change Xcode Project name - Stack Overflow

Conclusion

Renaming an iOS app in Xcode requires careful attention to multiple components, but it’s a manageable process when approached systematically. Start with the bundle display name if you only need to change what users see on their home screens, or follow the complete renaming process for a full project overhaul. Remember to create backups before making changes, test thoroughly after each modification, and pay special attention to the bundle identifier if your app is already published or installed on devices.

For most developers, the key steps are updating the bundle display name in the target settings, renaming the project through the File Inspector, and updating the scheme name. Following these steps carefully will ensure your app maintains its functionality while sporting its new name across all platforms and devices.