Find out how to change the extension of information on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

On this tutorial, we’ll present you the way to change the extension of a file on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with out utilizing any third-party app.

Why change a file extension?

Altering the extension of a file might be helpful for a number of causes, together with:

• Making it suitable with particular software program or purposes
• Hiding the file sort for safety functions: For instance, when you change the extension of a PDF file to JPG, it gained’t open on Mac and can present an error. However, whenever you wish to view that file, merely change the extension again to PDF, and you may simply open it.

Change a file extension on iPhone or iPad

Step 1: See all file extensions

1. Open the Information app on and go to any folder.
2. Faucet the Extra button > View Choices > Present All Extensions.

This can instantly show the present extension varieties of all the photographs, paperwork, movies, audio, and so forth., within the Information app.

Step 2: Change the file extension

1. Within the Information app, discover the file whose extension you must change.
2. Contact & maintain the file and select Rename from the menu.
3. Substitute the present extension title with the brand new one and hit accomplished on the keyboard.
4. Faucet Use “.NewExtension“.

You have got efficiently altered the file extension straight out of your iPhone or iPad. Now, faucet this file, and it ought to open/play contained in the Information app.

Step 3: See the brand new file extension

Since you chose to Present All Extensions in step 1 above, it is best to see the brand new file extension on the finish of the file title. As well as, you possibly can contact & maintain a file and faucet Get Information from the menu, which can present you the file data. On this display, you will note the extension and the file type.

Change the file extension on Mac

Step 1: Present extensions for all information in Finder

1. Be sure to’re in Finder.
2. From the highest menu bar, click on Finder and select Settings or Preferences.
3. Click on Superior.
4. Verify the field for Present all filename extensions.

Step 2: Change the file extension

1. Go to the Finder folder the place your file is situated.
2. Choose the file and press the return/enter key to rename it. You can even right-click on the file and select Rename.
3. Take away the present extension, exchange it with the brand new one, and hit the return/enter key.
4. Click on Use .NewExtension.

Step 3: See the brand new extension title

Choose the file and press collectively the Command + I keys or right-click over the file and decide Get Information. You will notice the file extension and sort right here.

Associated: Find out how to flip off warnings for file extension adjustments on Mac

Find out how to repair a file not opening even after altering its extension

Listed here are a couple of explanation why a file could not open after altering its extension:

• You didn’t set the correct extension. For instance, the file is a PDF doc, however you incorrectly used PNG because the extension.
• The file whose extension you modified was not downloaded in its entirety, wherein case nothing can pressure open it until you re-download the file.
• The file sort shouldn’t be supported by iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.

Will altering the file extension magically open any file?

No. Suppose you wish to play an MKV video in your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which isn’t supported natively contained in the Images, Information, or QuickTime Participant apps. Now, altering .mkv to .mp4 gained’t make the file play natively in your Apple gadgets. Nevertheless, for instance, if the extension was incorrectly set as MovieName.mp3, you possibly can flip it to MovieName.mp4, after which it might probably turn out to be playable in your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Try subsequent: