Accidentally named an app something confusing. Need to change it back but can’t figure out how. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Changing an app’s name on iPhone can be a bit trickier because iOS doesn’t exactly let you rename apps directly like you might on some other platforms. Apple’s system keeps the app names locked down to what the developers have chosen. However, there are a few neat workarounds if you’re up for a bit of a DIY approach. I’ve got some tips that might help clear up that confusion and get things back on track for ya!
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Using Shortcuts App: The closest way to change the displayed name of an app is to use Apple’s Shortcuts app. This doesn’t change the name of the app itself, but rather, it creates a shortcut with a custom name and icon. Here’s how you can do that:
- Open the Shortcuts app (you can download it from the App Store if you don’t have it yet).
- Tap on the + icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
- Tap on Add Action.
- Search for “Open App” and select it.
- Then tap on the “Choose” button and select the app you want to rename.
- Tap on the three dots (…) in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Add to Home Screen”.
- Now, you can tap on the app icon next to the home screen name field and choose the custom icon you want.
- Enter the new name you want for the app in the text field.
- Tap on “Add” in the top right corner.
- Voila! You now have a shortcut on your home screen with your custom name and icon.
- You might want to hide the original app though to avoid confusion. Just drag it to a folder or a different page.
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Folders to Organize: If you find it cumbersome to do the above for multiple apps, another simpler approach is to just organize your apps into folders with descriptive names. For example:
- Long-press on an app until it starts wiggling.
- Drag the app over another app to create a folder.
- Name the folder something that makes sense (“Utilities,” “Social,” etc.).
- This way, even if the apps have confusing names, you can quickly find them through the folder’s logical grouping.
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Back to Default through Re-installation: If what you need is to revert an app to its default name (in case you somehow used a third-party tool to rename it before), deleting and re-downloading the app from the App Store will reset its name:
- Long-press the app until a menu appears.
- Tap Delete App and confirm.
- Open the App Store, search for the app, and download it again.
- The app will now have the original name as provided by the developer.
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Using Configuration Profiles (Advanced): This method is a bit more technical but can be a powerful tool if you’re comfortable working with configuration files.
- You will need access to Apple Configurator 2 on a Mac.
- Create a new profile and go to the Home Screen Layout section.
- Add your apps and specify custom names.
- Install the profile on your iPhone.
- Make sure to know what you’re doing as incorrect profiles can screw with your device settings.
Pros and Cons of Each Method:
- Shortcuts App: Pros: Customizable; Cons: Added step to launch the app.
- Folders: Pros: Simplicity; Cons: Clutter.
- Re-installation: Pros: Original name; Cons: Time-consuming, reinstalls all data.
- Configuration Profiles: Pros: Direct renaming; Cons: Technical, risk of screwing up.
If these methods aren’t quite what you’re looking for or seem too cumbersome, you might need to look at potential third-party apps or jailbreaking (although not recommended due to security and stability concerns).
Hope that helps! Feel free to ask if you need more detailed steps or run into any issues!
Shortcuts? Really?? Way too complicated if you ask me. Creating shortcuts just to rename apps seems like overkill. You end up with a cluttered home screen and an extra step to launch anything. Want simplicity?
Folders are an OK solution but aren’t foolproof. You still have your apps named confusingly, tucked in folders that might just end up being named differently altogether. Plus, folders can get messy and hard to navigate.
Reinstalling apps? That’s basically admitting defeat. Who has time to constantly delete and redownload apps just to get the original name back?
And Configuration profiles? Unless you’re some tech wizard, that’s flirting with disaster. One wrong move and you could potentially mess up your whole iPhone settings. No thanks.
Honestly, if renaming is such an issue, just jot down what the app is supposed to be named in notes or something – less hassle, fewer risks. Or maybe just get used to the confusing names? Not everything needs to be perfect. Alternatively, look at Android where renaming apps isn’t a labyrinthine task.
TL;DR: Workarounds are more trouble than they’re worth. Manage your expectations or switch to a platform where customization isn’t a nightmare.
Using the Shortcuts app to rename seems like an approach that’s definitely handy for some, but I agree with some of the previous sentiments—it’s a bit overkill. A simpler route, if all you’re looking for is a tad of organization without much fuss, would be to use the built-in folder option more strategically.
To add to what’s been said, you could use emoji in folder names for quick visual identification, which could help avoid the confusion altogether. For instance, let’s say you wrongly named a finance app, you could create a folder called 
Finance. The emoji helps quickly distinguish between folders without much thought. It’s not a perfect solution, but it adds a layer of organization and visual cues which might help.
Or why not take a step further and utilize app-less home screens? With iOS 14 and beyond, having widgets and app library means you don’t need to see every app icon crammed on your home screens. Just make sure to add the most relevant widgets and swipe to access everything else.
For the more cautious advisers, given the somewhat tedious nature of custom shortcuts and the re-installation method, just stick to grouping apps into maximally descriptive folders. Stick those you access most often on the dock or the first screen. Super intuitive and literally no extra effort beyond the initial move.
Additionally, remember that some productivity apps like Launch Center Pro offer more advanced customization if you’re willing to explore third-party options. It has some extra learning curve but allows for a ton more flexibility in managing your app names and icons than standard iOS features.
Alternatively, I know this sounds like “giving up,” but sometimes embracing the imperfection is less stressful. If no method truly ticks all boxes without adding headache, you can always just renaming them in your mental map and move on. Adapt and improvise!
TL;DR: Shortcuts work, but folders with emojis can simplify your life. No need for overcomplication. Embrace iOS widgets and home screen minimalism.