Hi there,
Thanks for the question!
If you need to change the filename of an already uploaded and optimized image, the best approach is:
- First, restore the image to original from Imagify (this brings back the unoptimized version)
- Then, rename it or any other change required
- Upload it again with the new name
We do not recommend making changes directly to an already optimized image, as it can cause issues with the image metadata and optimization records. This helps keep things clean and avoids any unexpected behavior.
Let me know if you need help with that.
Thanks for your reply. I tried to follow your steps above but they seem a bit incomplete and unclear.
Step 1 above was OK …
- I can click on the “Restore Original” link in the Imagify column for the image while in the Media Library images list
- (the details in the Imagify column then change to an “Optimize” button)
Step 2 above was partly OK …
- I ignored the Optimize button & instead hovered over the image in the list & clicked Edit. In the Edit Media screen, in the text box above the Permalink, I replaced the image name/title with a new name.
- However, there does not seem to be a way to change the Permalink as well, so that stays out-of-date
Step 3 seems unclear/incomplete …
- In the right-hand panel of the Edit Media screen there is a choice of 2 buttons – Optimize or Update. There is also a Download file link
- I do not see any Upload button
- If I click the Optimize button, optimization takes place
- But after optimization, the right-hand panel of the Edit Media screen shows the filename as unchanged (old filename) & offer a choice of Delete permanently or Update.
- But the text box above the Permalink shows the new name/title I wrote in Step 2 above (which information is correctly showing the current/new filename – the text box above the Permalink or the right-hand panel of the Edit Media screen?)
- If I then click Update, nothing seems to change
Please could you check & confirm exact details for (how to do) Steps 2 & 3
Would an effective/better alternative be simply to …
- use the Delete Permanently option on the existing optimized image in Media Library
- upload a copy of the original (unoptimized) image after having renamed it on my computer
- optimize that uploaded copy
- (& obviously replace all instances of the previous image version with the version having the new name)
Plugin Support
Saransh
(@saranshwpm)
Hi there,
Thank you for your detailed message.
You’re right that renaming the image title or editing the text above the permalink only changes the media title, not the actual file name or URL. WordPress doesn’t offer a built-in way to rename the actual image file once it’s uploaded.
To answer your question: Best approach to fully rename an image:
Yes, the most reliable way is:
- Delete the current image from the Media Library.
- Rename the image file on your computer.
- Re-upload it to the Media Library.
- Re-optimize it with Imagify.
- Update any references on your site where the image was used.
This ensures the new filename is reflected everywhere and avoids mismatch between the title and actual file.
You can also check if some plugins, such as Enable Media Replace, which allows you to rename actual files, meet your requirements.
Best regards,
Understood. Thank you for the answer!
