How to Change Your App Name on the App Store and Google Play
How to change an app name on the App Store and Google Play, what the name limit is, how review affects the change, and how to avoid losing search equity during a rename.
**To change your app name on the App Store**, you edit the name in App Store Connect and submit the change through the normal review process. On Google Play, you edit the title in Play Console. Both stores have character limits and rules, and a rename can affect how people find and remember your app.
This guide explains the steps at a high level, the limits, and how to rename without throwing away the search and brand equity you have built.
Key takeaways
- The app name is set in the store console and is limited to 30 characters on both stores.
- On the App Store, a name change goes through review. Plan it with your next version.
- On Google Play, the title is edited in Play Console. Check the current behaviour and wait for the change to appear.
- A rename can break recognition. Tell existing users where the new name appears, and keep the old name in the description for a while.
- Do not rename for a keyword alone. The name should stay recognisable and honest.
Before you rename
A name is the most visible text on your listing and the one that users remember. Changing it resets some recognition, even when the search impact is small. Before you rename, decide why the change is worth that cost. A clearer name, a legal or trademark issue, or a product repositioning are good reasons. A small keyword gain is usually not.
Check that the new name is available and that it does not conflict with a trademark or an existing app. Store policies on names and trademarks can change, so check the current rules in each console.
Steps on the App Store
- Open your app in App Store Connect and find the app information section.
- Edit the name, staying within the 30-character limit.
- Save the change and submit it through the normal review process, usually with a new version.
- Wait for the change to be approved, then check the live listing in each market.
Steps on Google Play
- Open the app in Play Console and go to the store listing.
- Edit the title, staying within the 30-character limit.
- Save the change and check the preview for the store layout.
- Confirm the live listing after the change has propagated, in each market you publish in.
The consoles change their menus, so use the labels you see on screen. The principle is the same: change the name in the console, then check the live page in every market.
Protect the brand while you rename
Keep the name recognisable. If the old name is known, put it in the description for a period so people searching for it can find the new listing. Update the icon, screenshots, and promotional copy at the same time, so the page tells one story. Tell your users through your site, email, or in-app message, where you have a channel.
Keyword value versus brand value
The title can carry a phrase, but a name that is only a keyword list reads badly and can break policy. Keep the brand word first and add a short, honest category phrase where it fits. The subtitle or short description can carry the second phrase, so the name does not have to do all the work.
Where NewASO fits
NewASO's Listing Studio validates the title and subtitle against the store limits and shows keyword usage, so you can check a new name against your scored phrases before you save it. It does not change the name in the consoles for you, and it does not detect whether a name is trademarked. For the title strategy, read app title optimization.
Frequently asked questions
What is the App Store name character limit?
The app name is limited to 30 characters. Check the current field in App Store Connect before you save.
Will changing my app name affect my rankings?
It can. Search results depend on the title and other fields, so a rename can change how the app matches queries. Monitor rank by keyword and market after the change is live.
Can I change the name on Google Play as often as I like?
Check the current Play Console rules before you plan frequent changes. Keep the name stable, because frequent renames make recognition and search matching harder.