Rename image files to YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS format

rename_image_files.R

# Rename image files using YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS in local time
# assumes your working directory is where the image files are

library("dplyr")
library("exifr")
library("lubridate")

filetype <- "HEIC"

old_names <- list.files(pattern = paste0("*.", filetype))

d <- read_exif(old_names) |>
  mutate(
    # Convert to date-time object
    CreateDate = parse_date_time(CreateDate,
                                 orders = "Y:m:d H:M:S", 
                                 tz = Sys.timezone()),     # record in local timezone

    # Create new filenames
    new_prefix     = format(CreateDate, format = "%Y%m%d_%H%M%S"),
    new_filename   = paste0(new_prefix, ".", filetype)
  ) 

file.rename(d$FileName, d$new_filename)