The quickest way to rename your CapCut project

Open CapCut and go to the Projects tab. Find the project you want to rename, then long-press on it (or right-click if you're on desktop). A menu will appear with a "Rename" option. Tap or click that, type the new name, and confirm. The change takes effect when ready.

On mobile, the long-press gesture is the same whether you're using iOS or Android — hold your finger on the project thumbnail until the menu pops up. On desktop (Windows or Mac), right-clicking the project does the same thing. The rename happens in the project list, not inside the editor, so you don't have to open the project first.

Key Takeaways

  • Rename a project by long-pressing (mobile) or right-clicking (desktop) the project in your Projects tab, then selecting Rename from the menu.
  • You can change the name before you start editing or at any point after — the project doesn't have to be closed or saved first.
  • Renaming only changes the project name in CapCut; it does not affect any exported video files you've already saved to your device.
  • If you cannot see the Rename option, make sure you're pressing on the project thumbnail itself, not on a button or icon next to it.

Why you might want to rename a project

CapCut assigns generic names like "Project 1" or "Untitled" to new projects by default. If you're working on multiple videos at once — a tutorial, a social media clip, a longer edit — renaming each one makes it much faster to find the right project later. A clear name like "Birthday_Video_Draft_2" or "TikTok_Voiceover_Final" tells you at a glance what the project contains and what stage it's in.

Renaming is also useful if you're sharing your device with other people or if you're managing projects across multiple devices. A descriptive name reduces the chance you'll accidentally edit the wrong project or overwrite work someone else was doing.

Renaming on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical, but the gesture differs slightly. On iPhone or Android, open CapCut, tap the Projects tab at the bottom, then long-press the project thumbnail. Hold for about one second until the context menu appears. On Windows or Mac desktop, open CapCut, go to Projects, and right-click the project thumbnail. The menu appears when ready.

After the menu opens, look for the Rename option — it's usually near the top of the menu, sometimes alongside options like Duplicate or Delete. Tap or click Rename, type your new name in the text field that appears, and press Enter (desktop) or the checkmark button (mobile). The name updates in your project list right away.

What happens to your videos after you rename a project

Renaming a project in CapCut only changes the name of the project file inside the app. Any video you've already exported and saved to your phone, computer, or cloud storage keeps its original filename. If you exported a video called "MyVideo.mp4" and then renamed the CapCut project to something else, the exported file is still called "MyVideo.mp4".

This separation is actually helpful: you can rename projects freely without worrying about breaking links to files you've already shared or uploaded. The project name and the exported video name are independent of each other.

Renaming a project you're currently editing

You can rename a project while it's open in the editor. On mobile, swipe down from the top of the screen or tap the back arrow to return to the Projects tab without closing the project. Then long-press the project name and rename it. When you go back into the editor, the new name appears at the top. On desktop, click the back arrow or the CapCut logo to return to Projects, rename, and re-enter the project.

You don't have to save or export anything before renaming — CapCut saves your work automatically as you edit. The rename takes effect when ready and doesn't interrupt your editing session.

Troubleshooting if the Rename option doesn't appear

If you long-press or right-click a project and don't see a Rename option, check that you're pressing directly on the project thumbnail or title, not on a button next to it. Some versions of CapCut have a three-dot menu icon next to each project; if you tap that instead of the project itself, you may see a different menu. Try pressing on the thumbnail image or the project name text itself.

If the menu still doesn't appear, try closing and reopening CapCut. Occasionally a menu fails to load on the first try. If you're on an older version of CapCut, update the app from your device's app store — older versions sometimes have different menu layouts or missing features. After updating, the Rename option should work as described.

Organizing multiple projects with clear names

When you're managing several projects, a naming system saves time. Consider including the date, the content type, and the status in your project name: "2024_Tutorial_Draft" or "Instagram_Reel_Final_v2". This way, when you scan your Projects tab, you when ready know which projects are finished, which are still in progress, and which ones are oldest.

You can also use prefixes to group related projects: "Client_Smith_Video1", "Client_Smith_Video2", and so on. CapCut lists projects in the order you created them, not alphabetically, so a consistent naming pattern helps you stay organized even if the list gets long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename a project to the same name as another project?

Yes, CapCut allows duplicate project names. However, this can be confusing when you're looking for a specific project in your list. It's best to give each project a unique name so you can tell them apart at a glance.

Does renaming a project affect any drafts or backups?

No. CapCut saves your project automatically as you work. Renaming the project changes only the name you see in the Projects tab — all your edits, layers, and timeline remain intact. If CapCut has created a backup or auto-save version, it updates to use the new name as well.

What characters can I use in a project name?

CapCut accepts most standard letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks. Avoid special characters like forward slashes, backslashes, or colons, as these can cause issues on some devices. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores for the most reliable results.

If I rename a project, will it still sync across my devices?

If you're using CapCut's cloud sync feature and you're signed into the same account on multiple devices, the renamed project should sync to your other devices within a few minutes. The new name appears on all devices where you have the project saved.

Can I undo a rename if I change my mind?

CapCut doesn't have an undo button for project names. If you rename a project and want to change it back, you'll need to rename it again manually. There's no way to revert to the previous name automatically, so double-check the new name before you confirm the rename.