How do you change file extensions in iOS Files app

How do you change file extensions in iOS 11 Files app?

When I download an SVG file with Safari, it renames the file to filename.svg.xml

And I can’t open it in an app that opens SVG files

But in the iOS 11 Files app, there doesn’t seem to be a way to change extensions

It displays the file As filename.svg but this isn’t the full filename as extensions are hidden

How do I rename the file’s extension?

iPad Pro Wi-Fi, iOS 11

Posted on Sep 28, 2017 2:51 PM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 10, 2018 1:18 PM

Hi, get an app called Documents from the App Store. Ensure you go to the settings and enable “show extensions”. Copy your file to the Documents App, using the File App and then rename the file extension.🙂

4 replies

Jan 15, 2018 9:01 PM in response to Community User

I need this functionality as well. One poster suggested that you use a third party app to change file extensions, but I believe all that does is copy the file into the app and then allow you to change the file extension. Not change it at the source where you really need to so you can manage the file with other applications in the future.


Lack of ability to manage file extensions for your saved file is a huge gap. One that needs to be closed, among others for an iPad to even be considered a good replacement for Mac OS.

Nov 24, 2017 4:14 PM in response to Community User

Yeah this is a huge deal to me too. I purchased the iPad Pro Gen 2 specifically to replace my MacBook Pro and can find no way what so ever to edit file extensions.

I was drawn in by all the ads during the lead up to the iPad release touting the question “Is your iPad Pro going to be your new laptop?” And really, you can‘t even edit a file what gives?

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How do you change file extensions in iOS Files app

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