# Batchio — Complete Reference

> Batchio is a native macOS batch file renaming app with 9 rule types, live preview, regex support, EXIF and audio metadata renaming.

## About Batchio

Batchio is a native macOS utility (macOS 13+) that lets users batch rename files using composable rules. It is designed to be lightweight, fast, and subscription-free. Batchio is developed by Marcel Iseli (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138941361), an indie app developer based in Switzerland.

- Website: https://batchio.dev
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/batchio/id6761262322
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139053923
- Support: https://batchio.dev/support
- Privacy Policy: https://batchio.dev/privacy
- Terms of Use: https://batchio.dev/terms

## Pricing

- Free tier: All 9 rule types, live preview, regex with capture groups, unlimited files, full undo
- Pro tier ($4.99, one-time purchase): Saved presets, folder automation, Finder Quick Action, Shortcuts integration

## Rule Types

### 1. Find & Replace
Replace text in filenames using plain text or full regular expressions. Supports capture groups for advanced pattern matching. Useful for restructuring filenames, cleaning up naming conventions, or extracting parts of filenames.

### 2. Add Text
Insert text at any position in the filename: prefix, suffix, or at a specific character index. Combine with other rules to build structured naming schemes.

### 3. Numbering Sequences
Add sequential numbers to files with configurable start value, step size, zero padding, and reset options. Ideal for organizing photo sets, document series, or any ordered collection.

### 4. Change Case
Transform filename casing: UPPERCASE, lowercase, Title Case, camelCase, snake_case, kebab-case. Handles word boundaries intelligently across different naming conventions.

### 5. Remove Characters
Strip characters from filenames by position range, regex pattern, or character type (digits, spaces, special characters). Clean up messy filenames from downloads or camera imports.

### 6. Date Insertion
Insert dates into filenames sourced from file creation date, modification date, or EXIF metadata (date taken). Supports custom date format strings.

### 7. Extension Handling
Change, remove, or normalize file extensions. Batch convert .JPEG to .jpg, strip double extensions, or add missing extensions based on file type.

### 8. EXIF Metadata Renaming
Rename photos using embedded EXIF data: camera model, date taken, dimensions, focal length, ISO, GPS coordinates. Essential for photographers organizing large collections.

### 9. Audio Metadata Renaming
Rename music files using ID3 (MP3) and MP4 audio tags: artist name, album title, track number, track title, genre, year. Organize music libraries by metadata instead of arbitrary filenames.

## Key Features

### Live Preview
See exactly how every file will be renamed before committing changes. The preview updates in real time as you adjust rules, showing both original and new filenames side by side.

### Conflict Detection
Batchio automatically detects when two or more files would end up with the same name and flags the conflict before any renaming occurs. Prevents accidental data loss.

### Full Undo Support
Every rename operation can be completely undone. Batchio maintains a history of operations so you can revert changes at any time.

### Composable Rules
Stack multiple rules in sequence to create complex renaming workflows. Rules execute in order, so you can first clean up names, then add structure, then number the results.

### Drag and Drop
Load files by dragging them from Finder directly into Batchio. Also supports folder recursion to process entire directory trees.

### Saved Presets (Pro)
Save your rule combinations as reusable presets. One click to apply your favorite renaming workflow to any set of files.

### Folder Automation (Pro)
Set up watched folders that automatically rename files when they appear. Perfect for processing camera imports, downloads, or automated workflows.

### Finder Quick Action (Pro)
Right-click files in Finder and apply Batchio presets directly from the context menu without opening the full app.

### Apple Shortcuts Integration (Pro)
Use Batchio rename operations in Apple Shortcuts workflows. Automate file renaming as part of larger productivity chains.

## Common Use Cases

### Photography Workflows
Rename photos from "IMG_1234.jpg" to structured names like "2026-03-15_Canon-R5_001.jpg" using EXIF metadata. Combine date insertion with camera model and numbering for organized photo libraries.

### Music Library Organization
Transform "Track 01.mp3" into "Artist - Album - 01 - Title.mp3" using embedded ID3 tags. Batch process entire albums or music collections.

### Developer File Management
Use regex with capture groups to restructure filenames: convert "component.test.tsx" patterns, normalize naming conventions across codebases, or batch process build artifacts.

### Document Organization
Add date prefixes, sequential numbers, or standardized naming to business documents. Clean up downloaded files with inconsistent naming.

### Digital Asset Management
Normalize naming across large asset libraries. Remove special characters, standardize casing, add category prefixes, or restructure names for DAM systems.

## Technical Details

- Platform: macOS 13 (Ventura) and later
- Architecture: Universal (Apple Silicon and Intel)
- Framework: Native SwiftUI
- Category: Utilities
- Size: Lightweight (under 10 MB)
- Privacy: No data collection, no analytics, no network requests for core functionality

## Comparison with Alternatives

Batchio differentiates itself from tools like Renamer, Name Mangler, Better Rename, and Smart File Renamer through its modern SwiftUI interface, one-time pricing model (no subscriptions), composable rule system, and deep metadata support for both EXIF and audio tags.

Compared to built-in macOS tools (Finder batch rename, Automator, Apple Shortcuts), Batchio offers significantly more power: regex with capture groups, 9 distinct rule types, EXIF and audio metadata renaming, live preview, and saved presets.

## Developer

Marcel Iseli is an indie app developer who builds native macOS utilities. His portfolio includes:

- Batchio: Batch file renaming for macOS
- MoniThor: Website monitoring and uptime tracking (https://monithor.dev)
- Mouzz: Cursor effects and pointer customization (https://mouzz.dev)
- VibeOwl: Ambient sounds and focus audio (https://vibeowl.dev)

Contact and links:
- Website: https://batchio.dev/about
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-iseli-273105114/
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138941361