How to change name of Android App?

How to Change the Name of an Android App: A Step-by-Step Guide

Direct Answer:

Changing the name of an Android app is a simple process that requires some technical expertise, but it is achievable with the right guidance. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of changing the name of an Android app.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the process, make sure you have the following:

• An Android device or an emulator to test the app
• The Android Studio IDE or a text editor installed on your computer
• Basic knowledge of Java or Kotlin programming language (depending on the app’s development language)

Reasons to Change the Name of an Android App

Why would you want to change the name of an Android app? Here are some common reasons:

• Brand Rebranding: Your company or product name changes, and you need to reflect the change in your app’s name.
• Trademark Issues: You’re facing trademark conflicts with an existing app, and you need to rename your app to avoid any legal issues.
• Duplicate Name: You discover that another app with the same name as yours is already existing in the Play Store, and you want to avoid any potential conflicts.
• Marketing Strategy: You’re changing your marketing strategy, and a new name better aligns with your new approach.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Name of an Android App

Step 1: Update the App’s Manifest File

The first step is to update the app’s manifest file (AndroidManifest.xml) to reflect the new name. This file is located in the app’s root directory.

• Find the <application> tag and update the android:label attribute with the new app name.
• **Find the <application> tag and update the android:theme attribute with the new theme (if necessary).

Here’s an example of how the updated manifest file might look:

<manifest xmlns_android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"

    package="com.example.testapp">

    <application

        android_label="**New App Name**"

        android_theme="@style/Theme.AppTheme">

        ...

    </application>

</manifest>

Step 2: Update the App’s Build Configuration

Update the app’s build configuration file (build.gradle or build.gradle.kts) to reflect the new name. This file is located in the app’s root directory.

• Find the defaultConfig section and update the applicationId property with the new app name.
• **Find the defaultConfig section and update the dimensionRotation property with the new name (if necessary).

Here’s an example of how the updated build configuration file might look:

android {

    defaultConfig {

        applicationId "**New App Name**"

        ...

    }

}



kotlin {

    // If you're using Kotlin

    defaultConfig {

        applicationId "**New App Name**"

        ...

        dimensions {

            rotation "**New App Name**"

        }

    }

}

Step 3: Update the App’s Metadata

Update the app’s metadata, such as the app’s icon and launcher activity name, to reflect the new name.

• Update the app’s icon: Rename the ic_launcher.xml file to reflect the new app name.
• Update the launcher activity name: Update the AndroidManifest.xml file to reflect the new activity name.

Here’s an example of how the updated metadata might look:

<activity

    android_name=".**New Activity Name**"

    android_label="@string/app_name"

    android_icon="@drawable/ic_launcher">

    ...

</activity>

Step 4: Rebuild and Test the App

Rebuild the app using the updated configurations and test it on your Android device or emulator to ensure everything works as expected.

Conclusion

Changing the name of an Android app requires some technical expertise, but it’s a relatively straightforward process. By following these steps, you can rename your app to reflect changes in your company or product name, Trademark issues, duplicate names, or marketing strategy. Remember to update the app’s manifest file, build configuration, and metadata to reflect the new name. Finally, rebuild and test the app to ensure it works as expected.