How to Rename Tags on Mac (Finder & Files)

Renaming a tag in macOS updates its name everywhere it appears in the Finder, including the sidebar, the tag menu, and any files or folders already tagged with it. You don’t need any extra software—just the Finder’s built-in tag management. This guide walks you through renaming tags on current versions of macOS (Ventura and later, with notes for older systems).

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Ventura (13) or later for the exact steps below. Older versions use a slightly different menu, noted in the steps.
• Access to the Finder (the blue face icon in the Dock).
• No admin password or special permissions are required—tags are per-user settings.

Step-by-Step

1. Open a Finder window. Click the Finder icon in the Dock, or click anywhere on the desktop and press Command + N to open a new window.
2. Go to Finder Settings. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Finder > Settings… (on older macOS, this is Preferences…).
3. Click the “Tags” tab. It’s the third icon from the left at the top of the Settings window. You’ll see a list of all your tags, each with a colored dot.
4. Find the tag you want to rename. Scroll through the list or use the search box at the bottom of the Tags tab if you have many tags.
5. Rename the tag. Click once on the tag’s name to select it, then click again (slowly, not a double-click) to make the name editable. Alternatively, right-click (or Control-click) the tag and choose Rename from the context menu.
6. Type the new name. The old name will be highlighted. Just start typing to replace it, or press Delete first to clear it. Press Return when done.
7. Verify the change. Close the Settings window. The tag’s new name will appear in the Finder sidebar (if it’s in your Favorites), in the right-click menu, and on any files that had the old tag.

That’s it. The rename is instant and automatic—you don’t need to manually update each file.

Common Mistakes

• Double-clicking the tag name. A double-click might open the tag’s color picker or do nothing. Use a single click, pause, then click again—or use the right-click menu.
• Renaming in the sidebar directly. If you right-click a tag in the Finder sidebar, you may only see “Remove from Sidebar,” not “Rename.” Always use Finder Settings > Tags.
• Creating a duplicate tag. If you type a name that already exists, macOS may merge them or create a second tag with the same name. Check the list first.
• Forgetting to press Return. If you click away without pressing Return, the change is cancelled.
• Renaming a Smart Folder’s tag. Smart Folders are not tags—they’re saved searches. Renaming a tag won’t change a Smart Folder’s name.

Tips

• Use the sidebar for quick access. Add your most-used tags to the Finder sidebar by dragging them from the Tags section in Settings, or by right-clicking a tag in the sidebar and choosing “Add to Sidebar.”
• Rename multiple tags at once? macOS doesn’t support batch renaming of tags. You’ll need to rename each one individually.
• Keep names short and consistent. Tags are visible in menus and on files, so short names like “Work” or “Invoice” are easier to scan than long phrases.
• Use colors to your advantage. You can change a tag’s color while renaming it—click the color dot next to the name in Settings.
• Keyboard shortcut: In the Tags tab, press Tab to move through the list, then press Return to edit the selected tag’s name.

Troubleshooting

The tag name won’t become editable

Make sure you’re in Finder Settings > Tags, not the sidebar. In the list, click once to select, wait a second, then click again. If that still doesn’t work, right-click and choose “Rename.” On some macOS versions, you may need to press Return after selecting the tag to enter edit mode.

The renamed tag doesn’t update on files

This is rare, but if files still show the old tag, try restarting the Finder: hold Option and right-click the Finder icon in the Dock, then choose “Relaunch.” If that doesn’t help, log out and back in.

I accidentally created a duplicate tag

If you see two tags with the same name (one with the old name, one with the new), you can merge them. Right-click the tag you want to remove, choose “Delete Tag,” then confirm. Files that had the deleted tag will lose it—so instead, you can manually re-tag those files with the new tag, then delete the old one.

The tag is used in a Smart Folder and now the Smart Folder is empty

Smart Folders are saved searches that match tag names. If you rename a tag, the Smart Folder’s search criteria may not update automatically. Open the Smart Folder, click the gear icon (or “Edit” in the toolbar), and adjust the search to use the new tag name.

I can’t find the Tags tab in Settings

If you’re on macOS Catalina (10.15) or earlier, the option is under Finder > Preferences, and the tab is called “Tags.” If you don’t see it, make sure you’re looking at Finder preferences, not System Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename a tag from the right-click menu on a file?

No. The right-click menu on a file only lets you add or remove tags, not rename them. Renaming must be done in Finder Settings > Tags.

Will renaming a tag change the tag on all my files?

Yes. Renaming a tag updates it everywhere—every file, folder, and the sidebar. That’s the main advantage of renaming over creating a new tag and manually re-tagging.

Can I have two tags with the same name but different colors?

Technically yes, but it’s confusing. macOS will show both in the list, and files can have both, but it’s better to keep names unique to avoid mix-ups.

How do I delete a tag I no longer need?

In Finder Settings > Tags, right-click the tag and choose “Delete Tag.” You’ll be asked to confirm. Deleting a tag removes it from all files—those files will lose that tag, but the files themselves are not deleted.

Can I rename tags on iCloud-synced tags?

Yes. Tags sync across your Macs and iOS devices via iCloud. Renaming on one device updates the tag on all your devices, as long as iCloud Drive is enabled and you’re signed in with the same Apple ID.

Why don’t I see the “Rename” option when I right-click a tag in the sidebar?

The sidebar only shows tags you’ve added to Favorites. Right-clicking there gives options like “Remove from Sidebar” or “Show All Tags.” To rename, go to Finder Settings > Tags and follow the steps above.

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