Your app drawer looks like alphabet soup. Names cut off, duplicates everywhere, and you can never find what you need.
Learning how to rename apps on Android fixes this mess in minutes.
Android does not include a built-in rename feature. You need a custom launcher like Nova Launcher or a shortcut maker app from the Google Play Store.
This guide covers two methods that work on Android 7.0 and later. No root access required.
You will learn how to:
- Install and configure Nova Launcher for app renaming
- Use QuickShortcutMaker without changing your default launcher
- Troubleshoot common issues with renamed apps
How to Rename Apps on Android
Renaming apps on Android is the process of changing the displayed label underneath an application icon on your home screen or app drawer.
Users need this when organizing a cluttered interface, shortening long app names, or adding personal touches to their device.
This guide covers 2 methods requiring 2-5 minutes each, works on Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later, and requires no root access.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Android device running Android 7.0 or later
- Access to Google Play Store
- 50-100 MB of free storage space
- 2-5 minutes per method
No technical skills required. Basic familiarity with installing apps is enough.
Method A: Using Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is the most popular third-party launcher for Android customization. It lets you rename any app directly from your home screen.
Step One: How Do You Install and Set Nova Launcher as Default?
Download Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store, then set it as your default home app through Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app.
Action:
- Open Google Play Store > search “Nova Launcher”
- Tap Install and wait for download
- Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app
- Select Nova Launcher from the list
Purpose: Nova Launcher must be your default launcher before you can edit app names or change app icons on Android.
Step Two: Where Do You Find the App You Want to Rename?
Locate the target app on your home screen or open the app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of your screen.
Action:
- Check your home screen for the app icon
- If not visible, swipe up to open app drawer
- Scroll or use search to find the app
Purpose: You can rename apps from both locations, but home screen shortcuts are faster to access.
Step Three: How Do You Access the Edit Menu for an App?
Long-press the app icon until a popup menu appears, then tap the pencil icon or “Edit” option to open the customization panel.
Action:
- Long-press the app icon for 1-2 seconds
- Look for the pencil icon (top right of popup)
- Tap “Edit” to open the label editor
Purpose: The edit menu gives you access to both the icon label and icon image settings.
Step Four: How Do You Change and Save the New App Name?
Tap the current app name field, delete the existing text, type your preferred name, then tap “Done” to save changes.
Action:
- Tap the text field showing the current app name
- Clear existing text and enter new name
- Tap “Done” or checkmark to confirm
- Tap outside the popup to close
Purpose: Your custom name now displays under the app icon on your home screen and in the app drawer.
Method B: Using Shortcut Maker Apps
QuickShortcutMaker creates renamed shortcuts without replacing your current launcher. Good option if you like your existing interface.
Step One: How Do You Download and Open QuickShortcutMaker?
Install QuickShortcutMaker from the Google Play Store, then launch it from your app drawer.
Action:
- Open Google Play Store
- Search “QuickShortcutMaker”
- Tap Install > Open
Purpose: This shortcut creator works with any default launcher including Samsung One UI, Google Pixel Launcher, and MIUI.
Step Two: Where Do You Select the Target App?
Browse the “Applications” tab to find your target app in the alphabetical list, or use the search bar at the top.
Action:
- Tap “Applications” tab at top
- Scroll to find app or tap search icon
- Select the app you want to rename
Purpose: The app list shows every installed application including system apps. You can also hide apps on Android you rarely use.
Step Three: How Do You Edit the Shortcut Label?
Tap “Tap to change label” at the top right corner of the app details screen, then enter your custom name in the popup field.
Action:
- Tap “Tap to change label” (top right)
- Delete current name in popup
- Type your preferred name
- Tap “OK” to confirm
Purpose: The label change only affects the shortcut, not the original app listing in Settings > Apps.
Step Four: How Do You Create and Place the Renamed Shortcut?
Tap “Create” to generate the shortcut, then long-press and drag it to your preferred home screen location.
Action:
- Tap “Create” button at bottom
- Shortcut appears on home screen automatically
- Long-press to drag and reposition
- Delete original icon if desired
Purpose: Your renamed shortcut launches the same app. Consider learning how to group apps on Android for better organization.
Method Comparison
| Factor | Nova Launcher | QuickShortcutMaker | | | | | | Setup Time | 3-5 minutes | 2-3 minutes | | Changes Home Screen Layout | Yes | No | | Renames in App Drawer | Yes | No (home screen only) | | Additional Features | Icons, gestures, folders, themes | Shortcuts only | | Keeps Current Launcher | No | Yes |
Choose Nova Launcher when you want full Android personalization including gesture controls and icon packs.
Choose QuickShortcutMaker when you want quick changes without switching your default launcher.
Verification
After renaming, confirm everything works correctly:
- Locate the renamed app on your home screen
- Check that the new name displays under the icon
- Tap the app to verify it launches properly
- Open the app drawer to confirm changes (Nova Launcher only)
The original app name still appears in Settings > Apps. This is normal behavior.
Your renamed label only affects the visual display on your home screen and launcher interface.
Troubleshooting
New Name Does Not Appear After Saving
Long-press the app icon again, select Edit, re-enter the name, tap Done.
If unchanged, restart your launcher: Settings > Apps > Nova Launcher > Force Stop.
App Reverts to Original Name After Restart
Open Nova Settings > Backup & restore > Backup to save your customizations including renamed apps and icon packs.
Restore from this backup if names reset after system updates.
Cannot Find the Edit Option When Long-Pressing
Confirm Nova Launcher is set as default: Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app > select Nova Launcher.
Some Android skins like Samsung One UI or MIUI require longer press duration. Hold for 2-3 seconds.
Shortcut Opens Wrong App or Does Not Work
Delete the broken shortcut and create a new one through QuickShortcutMaker.
Select the correct activity from the expanded app menu if multiple options appear.
Renamed App Disappears After Update
App updates from Google Play Store can reset shortcuts created with QuickShortcutMaker.
Nova Launcher renames persist through updates since they modify launcher data, not the app itself.
Related Processes
Once you have renamed your apps, explore these related customization options:
- How to alphabetize apps on Android for sorted app drawer organization
- How to automatically organize apps on Android using smart folders
- How to lock apps on Android for privacy protection
- How to clone apps on Android for dual accounts
- How to delete multiple apps on Android for batch removal
Custom launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, and Action Launcher offer additional features beyond renaming.
Gesture controls, widget placement, folder customization, and launcher themes can further personalize your Android device interface.
Understanding Android development basics helps you grasp why app names are stored in manifest files and cannot be changed directly without third-party tools.
FAQ on How To Rename Apps On Android
Can You Rename Apps on Android Without Root?
Yes. Use a custom launcher like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher from the Google Play Store. These apps let you edit app labels directly from your home screen without root access or modifying system files.
Does Renaming an App Change It in Settings?
No. The original app name stays in Settings > Apps. Renaming only changes the icon label displayed on your home screen and app drawer. System processes still reference the original name.
What Is the Best Launcher for Renaming Apps?
Nova Launcher is the most popular choice. It offers easy renaming through long-press, plus additional features like gesture controls, icon packs, and folder customization. Action Launcher and Lawnchair Launcher are solid alternatives.
Will Renamed Apps Keep Their Names After Updates?
With Nova Launcher, yes. Your custom names persist through app updates. QuickShortcutMaker shortcuts may break after updates since they link to specific app activities that can change.
Can You Rename System Apps on Android?
Yes, using the same methods. Long-press the system app icon in Nova Launcher and tap Edit. You can rename preinstalled apps like Chrome, Gmail, or Samsung apps without any restrictions.
How Do You Rename Apps on Samsung Phones?
Samsung One UI does not include native renaming. Install Nova Launcher or QuickShortcutMaker from the Play Store. The process works identically on Samsung Galaxy devices running Android 7.0 or later.
Can You Rename Apps on Google Pixel?
The stock Pixel Launcher does not support app renaming. Switch to Nova Launcher or another third-party launcher to access this feature. Your Pixel will function normally with a different default launcher.
Do Renamed Apps Sync Across Devices?
No. Renamed labels are stored locally in your launcher data. If you switch phones, export Nova Launcher settings through Backup & restore, then import on your new device to transfer customizations.
Can You Rename Apps in the App Drawer Only?
Nova Launcher renames apps in both locations simultaneously. QuickShortcutMaker only creates renamed shortcuts on the home screen. The app drawer displays original names with shortcut-based methods.
Why Did My Renamed App Disappear?
The app may have updated or your launcher data cleared. Recreate the renamed shortcut or re-edit through Nova Launcher. Enable launcher backup to prevent losing custom names after system changes.
Conclusion
Now you know how to rename apps on Android using two reliable methods.
Third-party launchers like Apex Launcher or Action Launcher give you full control over icon labels and home screen layout. Shortcut maker apps work without changing your default launcher.
Both approaches take under five minutes. No root access needed.
Your renamed apps will display exactly how you want them. Long app names become short. Confusing labels become clear.
The next step is exploring other Android personalization options. Try icon packs for visual consistency. Set up gesture controls for faster navigation. Organize apps into themed folders.
A customized interface makes your device easier to use every day.
Many of his resources are available on various design marketplaces and for free on Codepen.
Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.
- Tailwind CSS Cheat Sheet - June 9, 2026
- The Stuff Nobody Tells You About Hiring Web Design Services - June 9, 2026
- How to Create a Pull Request in GitHub Easily - June 8, 2026
