Bulk Rename Mac App

The developer has done a sterling job in creating this free batch renaming app for Mac. This has allowed me to rename all my photos to include the date stamp and country of the photograph. Absolutely brilliant! There is no way I could have organised my files without this app.

Mac Rename Command
Batch File Rename Mac
Bulk Rename Mac App Shortcut

When it comes to Windows vs. macOS debate, many people often nitpick on features at several levels. One of the simplest is the ease of batch renaming multiple files on Windows compared to Mac. Many people face that problem when they switch to Mac from Windows. Let me tell you that rename files in bulk on a Mac as well. It's just that the options that don't look as pretty as expected.

The Finder in macOS offers to you add text or replace anything from the existing file names. In short, you can get things done if it has to be a one-time activity. But is such a time-investing commitment worth to organize your files collection in the long run? Certainly not. That's why we'll also take a look at a paid but affordable option and a free option.

A word of caution. Apple advices you against renaming any system folders for they might cause the apps to malfunction.

Here are the two methods you can follow to batch rename several files at once on your Mac. Let's start with the cumbersome native method.

Note: We tested these solutions on macOS 11 Big Sur beta 6, and everything worked fine.

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Batch Rename Multiple Files at Once Using Finder on Mac

The Finder in macOS houses several features that need a bit of exploring. It's safe to assume you have the folder with several files to be renamed open in the Finder.
Step 1: Hold down the Shift key and select multiple files one by one. Alternatively, you can hold down the Shift key and choose the files using the mouse.

Step 2: With the source files selected, right-click on them and select Rename from the contextual menu.

Note: From macOS 11 Big Sur onwards, the Rename XX Items (the xx is the number of files selected) will appear as Rename.

Step 3: In the Rename Finder Items window that pops up, use the first drop-down to pick Format.

Step 4: From the Name Format under it, select 'Name and Index' option. If you plan to assign a date, then pick 'Name and Date', or the 'Name and Counter' to add numbers after the name.

You can pick 'Add Text' or 'Replace Text' option, but the latter has been quite tricky, especially when you're trying to rename songs or documents.

Step 5: Next to the Custom Format is where you need to assign the exact text that you are planning to add to the images. For this guide, I used Rename Multiple Files in the box. The window will show a small preview of how the file name will appear under the Custom Format box.

Here, if you plan to assign custom value, you'll have to pick the location where you want the value to appear - before or after. For that, use the Where drop-down and pick after name or before a name. You can choose the alphabet or numbers.

Step 6: Check the Rename Finder Items window carefully to ensure you've chosen and assigned the appropriate values. Hit Rename.

Don't worry if you've made a mistake or want to edit the name. Just hit Command+Z on the keyboard.

Finder offers quite a basic option to rename files in a back and gets the job done. However, it takes a while to pick the right options, and you have to do it all the time in the different folders without employing any smart folder management app.

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Using Renamer App to Batch Rename Several Files on Mac

Let's check out another option to batch rename several files using the Renamer app. Here's how to rename files quickly using this app.

Step 1: Launch the Rename app.

Step 2: To start, you can drag and drop all the files you wish to rename in the Renamer app's window.

Alternatively, you can use the built-in options to specify the naming scheme you what to follow for the files. The app calls those options Renamerlet.

Step 3: Once you've dropped all the files and confirmed the new renaming scheme, hit Apply. That's it.

This app takes away the cake by showing you the new file names alongside the previous names. It always helps to verify them quickly.

The Renamer app is so convenient for re-organizing your photo collections, music, and other files. It also offers you an option to Find and Replace the names of the files on the selected storage system.

Well, you will have to shell out $19.99 to buy a single user license. The Mac App Store offers several alternatives at a similar price. However, it would be a better option to pay $9.99 for the monthly SetApp subscription to enjoy a free access to over 190 apps for macOS and iOS for that price.

Honestly, that is a way better deal than buying a single and equally expensive app with similar or advanced features.

Get Renamer App

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#File Management

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Bulk Renaming Is Easy

While organizing data across folders and drives, the biggest challenge is to deal with the file names. A couple of renaming apps often offer advanced features that you'll end up using, like once a year, maybe.

I use Gemini 2 and Commander One to manage and organize the files (photos, music, and documents) on the different drives. Since I already have SetApp subscription, using Renamer for free is easy and saves quite a lot of time.

Next up:Want to organize the menu bar of your Mac? Manage those icons consuming a lot of space using these amazing menu bar apps from the next link.

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

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Believe it or not, renaming hundreds of files is surely a tedious task when doing manually. Of course, you can create a custom script on your Mac to hassle-free the process, but it’s surely the average user’s cup of tea. However, a determined batch photo renaming software for mac makes it easier to rename multiple files at once. For the purpose, we are using Tweak Photos by Systweak Software which proffers an excellent bunch of advanced renaming capabilities to get the job done quickly & conveniently.

How To Rename Multiple Files Using A Batch Image Renaming App On Mac

Tweak Photos is a dedicated photo management software that is designed with strong capabilities to edit thousands of pictures in just a matter of a few clicks. It’s a highly efficient tool to reinvent your photos with various customization features, convert image formats, and rename an entire batch of pictures in just one go!

To begin with batch photo renaming, follow the steps below:

STEP 1- Download & Install Tweak Photos.

STEP 2- Launch the application & click on ‘Add Photos’ button to select the files for bulk renaming. You can also add entire Photos Library using ‘Add iPhoto/Photos Library’ option. Alternatively, you can also add files by using drag & drop feature.

STEP 3- Once you’ve selected all the files for batch renaming, click ‘Select Batch Effects’ button to start the process.

STEP 4- You’ll be presented with an intuitive interface, packed with a plethora of editing tools and effects. You can resize, rotate, crop, add text, border, frames and other effects which would be applied to all the photos you’ve added.

STEP 5- Once you’re done editing, click on ‘Save Options’ button to further proceed with converting formats & renaming bulk images.

STEP 6- Click on ‘Edit Original File Name’ option to begin with Renaming process. There will be several other formats too, to rename multiple files at once:

Note: It displays a quick preview of errors or warnings like Missing, Duplicate file names etc during renaming process.

Mac Rename Command

Add String

Add a text to the beginning, between or end of file names.

Add Digit (Add Increment Counter)

Reorganize the position of photographs in numeric order.

For example: Enter number ‘1’ in Starting Index, set the increment order & all your images would be lined in the numeric order; 1,2,3,4 etc.

Remove

To reduce long file names tp shorter ones.

Change Case

To change the filename case to Uppercase, Lowercase or Titlecase.

Batch File Rename Mac

Once you’re done setting criteria for renaming all your images. Click on ’Start Process’ button. Confirm the process by hitting ‘Yes’ button.