Can I rename an Android Studio project without breaking my code?

Yes. Close the project, rename the root folder, update settings.gradle, modify build.gradle, and run Gradle sync. Skipping steps can cause sync errors and missing R references.

What is the difference between project name and package name?

The project name appears in Android Studio’s title bar and folder structure. The package name (applicationId) uniquely identifies your app on Google Play. You can change one without changing the other.

Will renaming my project affect my app on Google Play Store?

Only if you change the applicationId. Changing the project folder name or rootProject.name does not affect your published app. Keep the same applicationId to push updates.

How do I rename the package folder structure in Android Studio?

Disable Compact Middle Packages in the Project view. Then right-click each package segment and choose Refactor > Rename, and confirm with Do Refactor.

Why does Android Studio still show the old project name after renaming?

Cached metadata may remain in the .idea folder. Delete the .idea directory and all .iml files, reopen via File > Open, then run a clean build.

Can I use spaces in my Android project name?

You can use spaces in rootProject.name and app name, but not in the folder name or applicationId. Spaces in paths can break CLI tools and CI/CD pipelines.

Do I need to update AndroidManifest.xml when renaming a project?

Usually no. The namespace in build.gradle controls the manifest package, and Android Studio generates the correct value automatically during builds.

How do I rename a project that uses Git?

Rename locally first, commit the changes, then update the remote URL with git remote set-url origin if the repository name changed.

What files must I edit to completely rename an Android project?

Update the root folder name, settings.gradle (rootProject.name), build.gradle (namespace and applicationId), and strings.xml (app name).

Can I rename multiple modules at once?

No automatic batch rename exists. Each module’s build.gradle must be updated separately, followed by Gradle sync.

Android Studio

How To Rename An Android Studio Project Correctly

Bogdan Sandu

Dec 24, 2025 1 min read

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan Sandu is a front-end developer at TMS Outsource with 8+ years of experience in web technologies. He writes about developer tools, software platforms, and web workflows based on daily hands-on use.