How to Rename Images and Media Files in WordPress

Are you wanting to change the name of an image file after uploading it to WordPress? While WordPress allows you to change an image alt tag and caption, they don't give a built-in method to change the file name. In this video, we will show you how to easily rename images and media files in WordPress. This includes a method to replace images after renaming them on your computer.

This video is sponsored by MonsterInsights, take a look at MonsterInsights here:
=================================
=================================

For the discount, use our code: WPBVIP

For the first method, we will be using a plugin called Phoenix Media Rename that you can find here:

Once activated, go to the Media section of your site and ensure it is in the list view. You can swap between grid and list view by using the two icons to the left of the search dropdowns and the list view will display the file names. Click edit next to the image you want to edit and WordPress should now have an editable field where you can change the name and the plugin will update the name change across your site.

For the second method we will use the plugin Enable Media Replace that you can find here:

With the plugin active you can go to your Media section again and in the list view, there will be a link to replace media. When you click on the link you will be asked to choose the file on your computer you want to replace the media with. The plugin will give you the option to replace just the file or replace the file across your entire site and if you wanted to keep the date or change it at all.

If you liked this video, then please Like and consider subscribing to our channel here for more WordPress videos.

Feel free to take a look at the written version of this tutorial here:

Check us out on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Check out our website for more WordPress Tutorials
#WordPress #WordPressTutorial #WPBeginner

[liverpoolpictorial]

Hi, thank you so much for this.The first plugin is exactly what I need.

[Lukeissilva]

If you didnt Have to click into the edit the first plugin would be perfect but it also ads a number at the end of your file name after you add it, but I do like that the second one changes the links and everything so ill be using that one.

[frankmartire]

Can you delete the plug-in after you're done using it?

[jessicamartinez-kszj]

Hii! Our file names are numbers so I want to rename them. Specifically the images used on our wedding planning gallery website. I'm not sure which plug in I should use. The first seemed easier, the Phoenix one. Do I need links to be changed too? I am not sure what links are used for. My purpose is for file name, alt text, title to all help seo.

[cleanmycarpets]

Hi, I followed your advice. All my pictures in my gallery could be renamed, .Those on my homepage would not. When in media it does show file names changed but when updated would not update onto the live site.

[lauraderamus]

Curious to know if this plugin runs super slow for others. It is painfully slow on my site.

[seadooadventuresnorthernon]

question... it seems to add the file size to the saved file name when you do "save as" - is there a way to remove the file size?

[matnice]

Thank you so much for this tutorial!!
Not sure if you already did because I couldn’t find it, but could you please make a tutorial on how to compress images (size) without losing the quality please? Just so that those heavy images files don’t slow down the site. Thanks again for keeping this up for years, we all really appreciate your work 🙌🏾 Happy holidays as well 🎈🎉

[zutlek]

I don't see the list view option? I have downloaded the plug in.

[alexwilson]

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH I really need that and it is work :) x

[AbhishekGupta-kfzr]

If we rename the image will it automatically apply to the place where it is used before??

[koirala_prabal]

Can I uninstall the plugin after changing the file name?

[Seomartin]

I did not like Phoenix plugin cause it just change the name, so it breaks the image whatever it has been used before.

[AnnaBlume]

Thank you. But how to rename a picture WITHOUT a plugin?

[rogerhiggins]

What about the Permalink? Do you edit that or leave it as is?

[AmirahIb]

I just started using WordPress and whenever I click on my image it pops up but then it shows the filename, the size, the type of camera i shot it with, and aperture. How can I hide that from viewers?

[bhaweshthapa]

Isn't filename and title one and the same thing?