Batch Rename Photos: Complete Guide for Every Platform

Whether you have 100 or 10,000 photos, batch renaming transforms chaos into organization.

Why Batch Rename Photos?

Camera defaults are useless: - IMG_4521.jpg tells you nothing - DSC_0001.jpg is meaningless - 2024-01-15 14.32.45.jpg is barely better

Good names help you: - Find photos instantly - Organize by event or subject - Share files professionally - Build a searchable archive

Batch Rename on Windows

Using File Explorer 1. Select all photos (Ctrl+A) 2. Press F2 3. Type base name 4. Press Enter 5. Photos become name (1).jpg, name (2).jpg...

Using PowerShell

Get-ChildItem *.jpg | ForEach-Object -Begin {$i=1} {
  Rename-Item $_ "vacation-hawaii-$i.jpg"
  $i++
}

Batch Rename on Mac

Using Finder 1. Select photos 2. Right-click → Rename Items 3. Choose: Replace Text, Add Text, or Format 4. Preview and apply

Using Preview 1. Open photos in Preview 2. Edit → Select All 3. File → Export Selected Images 4. Choose name format

Batch Rename on iPhone

Using Photos App Limited renaming - photos keep original names.

Using Files App 1. Save photos to Files 2. Select multiple 3. Rename individually or use shortcuts

Using Shortcuts App Create automation for batch operations.

Batch Rename on Android

Using Files App 1. Select photos 2. Menu → Rename 3. Apply to selection

Using Third-Party Apps - Solid Explorer - Total Commander - F-Stop Gallery

AI-Powered Photo Renaming

Traditional batch rename: vacation-001.jpg, vacation-002.jpg AI-powered rename: beach-sunset-palm-trees.jpg, hotel-pool-morning.jpg

File Renamer AI analyzes each photo and creates descriptive names.

Photo Naming Conventions

By Event

[event]-[subject]-[number].jpg
wedding-smith-ceremony-001.jpg

By Date and Description

[date]-[description].jpg
2024-01-15-beach-sunset.jpg

By Project

[project]-[category]-[number].jpg
product-shoot-hero-001.jpg

Try File Renamer AI - Smart photo organization.