Guides

Rename photos by what's in them on a Mac

Finder renames by text and numbers, not by what's in a photo. For names from the contents, free and on your Mac: a Shortcuts quick action with Apple Intelligence, or BetterAirdrop with Apple Vision.

By hand

Select the photo, press Return, type. The best names, one photo at a time.

Can Finder do it?

Select the photos, Control-click, choose Rename. Three modes:

• Replace text
• Add text
• Format: a name plus index, counter or date

Fast, but every photo gets the same words plus a number.

macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence adds Finder → Settings → Suggest File Names. Apple describes it for documents you create or rename.

Source: Rename files, folders, and disks on Mac

Can Shortcuts do it?

Yes, if you build it. Needs macOS 26 or later with Apple Intelligence (a Mac with M1 or later).

1. New shortcut → Details → Use as Quick Action.
2. Add Use Model, choose On-Device. Prompt: “Describe this photo in 3 to 5 words for a filename.”
3. Add an action that renames the file to the reply.
4. Turn it on: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions → Finder.
5. Control-click photos → Quick Actions → your shortcut.

• Apple says Use Model's input can include photos.
• The On-Device model is meant for simple requests.
• Dates, places and name clashes are yours to handle.

Sources: Use Apple Intelligence in Shortcuts on Mac · Run a shortcut while working on your Mac · How to get Apple Intelligence

Or BetterAirdrop

• Apple Vision on your Mac: labels, plus any text in the photo
• Date and city from the photo itself
• Runs on every AirDrop, or on photos you pick
• Undo anything

Vision's names are short, like tags. For fuller ones, add your own Claude API key. It gets a downsized copy, with no location or camera data.