Changing the name of your Unity project might seem like a simple task, but it can be quite complex depending on the stage of development and the specific elements involved. Whether you’ve realized your initial project name doesn’t fit your vision anymore or you want to rebrand before launching, understanding the ins and outs of changing a Unity project name is essential.
Unity doesn’t provide a direct, one-click option to rename the project within the editor itself, so the process requires careful manual steps to avoid breaking references or causing confusion within your project’s files.
The project name is more than just a label; it’s embedded in various files and settings that affect how your project builds and runs. A wrong step can lead to issues with version control, asset references, or even deployment.
However, with a clear plan and understanding of Unity’s project structure, you can confidently rename your project without losing progress or causing headaches.
In this post, we’ll explore the practical steps to change your Unity project name, what to watch out for, and how to ensure your project remains fully functional after renaming. You’ll also learn about the implications for different platforms and how to update related settings properly.
By the end, renaming your Unity project will feel like a seamless, manageable task.
Understanding the Structure of a Unity Project
Before diving into renaming your Unity project, it’s important to understand how Unity organizes your files. Your project name is tied to multiple components including folders, settings, and metadata.
Unity projects consist of various folders such as Assets, Library, and ProjectSettings, each playing a critical role. The project folder name itself usually reflects your project name, but inside, there are references that use this name too.
When you open a Unity project, the editor loads configurations from the ProjectSettings folder. These include the product name, company name, and other metadata that appear in builds and the editor interface.
Key Elements Linked to the Project Name
- Project Folder Name: The top-level folder name holding your project files.
- Product Name: Defined under Player Settings, this name appears in the build output and splash screen.
- Package Manager Configurations: Some dependencies may reference your project name.
- Version Control Paths: If you use Git or others, your project name appears in repository paths or remote URLs.
“Renaming your Unity project requires attention to both the folder structure and internal configurations to maintain integrity across your development environment.”
How to Rename the Unity Project Folder Safely
One of the first steps you might consider is renaming the project folder itself. This is the straightforward part but can have unintended consequences if not handled carefully.
Before renaming the folder, it’s crucial to close Unity completely to avoid file locks or corruption. Simply renaming the folder in your file explorer will change the project’s visible name in your operating system, but Unity doesn’t automatically update internal references.
After renaming, open Unity Hub and use the Add button to locate your newly named folder. This ensures Unity recognizes the change and opens the project correctly.
Best Practices for Renaming the Project Folder
- Close Unity and Unity Hub before renaming.
- Rename the folder using your OS file explorer.
- Open Unity Hub and remove the old project entry if it still appears.
- Add the renamed folder back to Unity Hub to avoid path errors.
| Before Rename | After Rename |
| C:\Users\Username\UnityProjects\OldProjectName | C:\Users\Username\UnityProjects\NewProjectName |
| Unity Hub lists OldProjectName | Unity Hub lists NewProjectName after re-adding |
| Unity opens project from old path | Unity opens project from new path |
Keep in mind that this step only changes the folder name and does not update the in-editor product name or other metadata.
Changing the Product Name in Unity Editor
The project’s Product Name is what appears on your application’s window title, build output, and certain platform-specific metadata. Changing this is essential if you want your app to reflect the new project name after a rename.
You can update the product name inside Unity by navigating to Edit > Project Settings > Player. Under the Other Settings tab, you’ll find the Product Name field.
Changing the product name here updates it in all builds moving forward, but it does not rename the project folder or affect source control settings.
Platform-Specific Naming
Different platforms use the product name in unique ways, so consider the following:
- Windows/Mac/Linux: Product name appears as the executable and window title.
- Android: Product name is shown under app info and launcher.
- iOS: Product name appears on the home screen and app store listing.
“The product name is the user-facing identity of your app; make sure it’s consistent with your brand and project goals.”
Updating References Within the Project
Renaming your Unity project involves more than just changing folder or product names. You must also consider internal references such as script namespaces, namespaces in plugins, and asset paths that may rely on the original name.
Some scripts or third-party assets can contain hardcoded paths or namespaces linked to your old project name. These won’t automatically update and may cause errors or unexpected behavior if left unchanged.
To avoid such issues, perform a thorough search across your project files for occurrences of the old project name and update them accordingly. This includes:
- Script namespaces and class names where applicable
- Custom editor scripts referencing folder paths
- Configuration files or JSON data with embedded names
- Build scripts or CI/CD configurations that use the project name
Using Search and Replace Tools
Unity’s internal search can help find references, but for a more comprehensive sweep, use an external code editor like Visual Studio or JetBrains Rider with global search and replace functionality.
Tip: Always back up your project before performing bulk replacements to avoid accidental data loss.
Handling Version Control After a Project Rename
If your Unity project is under version control such as Git, renaming the project folder and internal references requires extra caution. Version control tracks file paths and names, so a rename can appear as a deletion and addition of files, complicating history tracking.
To maintain a clean version history, consider these steps:
- Rename the folder using your version control tools (e.g., git mv) instead of the OS file explorer.
- Commit changes with a clear message indicating the rename task.
- Update any CI/CD pipelines or remote repository links if they use the old project name.
- Inform your team about the change to avoid confusion and merge conflicts.
“Properly managing the rename in your version control system preserves your project history and avoids unnecessary conflicts.”
Adjusting Build Settings and Platform-Specific Names
When you rename your project, build settings often need updating to reflect the new identity. Beyond the product name, other fields such as Company Name, Bundle Identifier, and Application Identifier may require changes.
These settings are particularly important for mobile platforms and consoles, where the bundle or package ID uniquely identifies your app.
Key Build Settings to Review
| Setting | Purpose | Where to Change |
| Product Name | Name shown to users and window title | Project Settings > Player > Other Settings |
| Company Name | Part of bundle identifier and app metadata | Project Settings > Player > Other Settings |
| Bundle Identifier / Application Identifier | Unique app ID for platforms like iOS and Android | Project Settings > Player > Other Settings |
Make sure to update these appropriately to avoid publishing conflicts or app store rejections.
Common Pitfalls When Renaming Unity Projects
Changing your Unity project name can be straightforward, but it’s easy to stumble into common pitfalls that can disrupt your workflow or break your project.
One frequent mistake is renaming only the folder without updating the product name or internal references. This leads to inconsistencies between the editor and build outputs.
Another is neglecting to update version control settings, causing merge conflicts or broken repository links for your team.
It’s also common to forget that some third-party assets or plugins may have dependencies on the original project name, requiring manual fixes.
- Not backing up before renaming—always create a backup to restore if needed.
- Failing to update build settings—this may cause app store issues.
- Ignoring version control impacts—leading to confusing commit histories.
- Skipping internal reference checks—resulting in broken scripts or paths.
“A methodical approach prevents frustration and ensures your renamed project is fully functional.”
When Should You Consider Creating a New Project Instead?
Sometimes, renaming an existing Unity project may be more trouble than it’s worth. If your project is relatively small or early in development, starting fresh with a new project may be simpler.
Creating a new project with the desired name and migrating assets manually can eliminate many risks associated with renaming. However, this approach requires careful asset transfer and reconfiguration.
This option is especially viable when:
- Your project has minimal content and dependencies.
- The current project name is deeply embedded and difficult to change.
- Version control or collaboration issues arise from renaming.
- You want a clean slate with updated project settings.
Migration Tips
When migrating to a new project:
- Copy the Assets and ProjectSettings folders into the new project directory.
- Open the new project in Unity and verify all assets load correctly.
- Re-import plugins and packages to ensure compatibility.
- Test builds thoroughly before discarding the old project.
While this method takes time, it can save headaches in the long run if renaming proves cumbersome.
Final Thoughts on Changing Your Unity Project Name
Renaming a Unity project is a task that requires attention to detail and a clear understanding of the project’s structure. It involves more than just changing a folder name; you must update internal references, product names, build settings, and possibly version control configurations.
Approaching this process methodically helps maintain the integrity of your project and avoid unexpected issues during development or deployment. Always back up your project before making any changes, and communicate with your team if you’re working collaboratively.
Remember, the project name is part of your game or app’s identity. It impacts not just how you organize your files but also how users perceive your product.
Taking the time to rename it properly ensures a polished and professional outcome.
If you want to explore more about handling names in different contexts, you might find it interesting to read about changing your name on Steam or the steps involved in changing your Shopify store name.
For a fun diversion, consider how names impact identity with Does the Light Fury Have a Name? Explained for Fans.
