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.
