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How to Safely Rename an Xcode Project

question xcode swift
Ram Patra Published on October 1, 2025

Renaming your Xcode project isn’t just a matter of changing the file name — if you skip key steps, you may end up with broken schemes, missing assets, or old names still showing up. Here’s a clean, step-by-step guide to safely rename your project.

Step 1: Close the Project

Quit Xcode before making any changes. This prevents conflicts while renaming files.

Step 2: Rename the .xcodeproj File

In Finder, locate your project folder and rename the .xcodeproj file to the new name. Example:

OldName.xcodeproj → NewName.xcodeproj

Step 3: Reopen the Project in Xcode

Double-click the renamed .xcodeproj file. Xcode may prompt you to rename related items such as schemes — accept these updates.

Step 4: Update the Target Name

  • In Xcode, select the project in the Project Navigator.
  • Go to the General tab.
  • Under Identity → Display Name, update it if you want the app’s visible name on devices to change.

Step 5: Update the Scheme

  • Go to Product → Scheme → Manage Schemes…
  • Rename the scheme to match your new project name.

Step 6: Update the Bundle Identifier (Optional)

If your project rename is part of a larger rebrand or App Store submission, update the Bundle Identifier in the General tab as well.

Step 7: Update Deployment Asset References

Go to Target → Build Settings and check for any old project name references under:

  • Asset Catalog App Icon Set Name
  • Launch Screen File
  • Info.plist File
  • Any other custom asset paths

Update these values to point to the correct assets for the renamed project.

Step 8: Restart Xcode

Before building, quit and relaunch Xcode. This clears cached references and ensures the new name is fully recognized.

Step 9: Clean & Rebuild

  • Press Shift + Command + K to clean the build folder.
  • Build again to confirm everything works under the new name.

Final Notes

  • If you use Swift Packages, CocoaPods, or workspaces, double-check configuration files (Podfile, Package.swift, .xcworkspace) for old project name references.
  • If your project is under Git, commit changes before renaming — it makes rollbacks easier if something goes wrong.

Follow these steps and you’ll have a cleanly renamed Xcode project with all assets and settings intact.

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Ram Patra Published on October 1, 2025
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