Change your username through the EA App or Origin launcher
To change your Apex Legends username, you log into the EA App (on PC) or Origin (if you're still using the older launcher), go to your account settings, and update your display name there. The change takes effect when ready in the game. You do not need to restart Apex Legends or create a new account — your rank, battle pass progress, and cosmetics all stay with you.
On console (PlayStation or Xbox), the process is different because your username is tied to your console account, not to EA directly. You would change your PlayStation Network name or Xbox Gamertag through your console's settings, and Apex will reflect that change automatically the next time you log in.
One important detail: you can change your display name once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you'll see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again. This limit applies across all EA games, not just Apex.
Key Takeaways
- On PC, open the EA App or Origin, go to Account Settings, and change your Display Name — the change appears in Apex when ready.
- On PlayStation or Xbox, change your console account name through your console settings, and Apex will update automatically on your next login.
- You can change your display name once every 30 days, and this cooldown applies to all EA games you play.
- Changing your username does not affect your rank, battle pass, skins, or any other progress in the game.
PC: Step-by-step through the EA App
Open the EA App on your computer. In the top right corner, click on your account icon or your current username. Select "Account" from the menu that appears. You'll land on your account overview page.
Look for "Display Name" or "Nickname" in the left sidebar or under a "Personal Info" section. Click the edit button next to it. Type your new username into the field. Apex Legends usernames can be up to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, and some special characters (underscores and hyphens are usually allowed, but spaces are not). Click "Save" or "Confirm."
The change is live when ready. Close the EA App and launch Apex Legends — your new name will appear in the lobby and in-game. If you're in the middle of a match when you make the change, you may need to restart the game to see it update.
PC: If you're still using Origin
If you haven't switched to the EA App yet, Origin still works. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left of Origin. Select "Account" and then "Personal Info." Find "Nickname" and click the pencil icon to edit it. Type your new name, click "Save," and you're done.
EA has been moving players from Origin to the EA App, so you may see a prompt to migrate your account. You don't have to do this when ready to change your username, but eventually Origin will no longer be supported. If you want to switch now, the process is straightforward and your account information transfers over.
PlayStation: Change your PSN name
Your Apex Legends username on PlayStation is your PlayStation Network (PSN) name. To change it, go to your PS4 or PS5 home screen, open Settings, and navigate to Users and Accounts. Select your profile, then choose "Profile" and "Edit Profile." Find the "Online ID" or "Username" field and select "Change Online ID."
You can change your PSN name once for free, and additional changes cost money (the exact price varies by region). Choose carefully. Type your new name, confirm it, and the change takes effect when ready. The next time you launch Apex Legends, your new PSN name will appear in the game.
Xbox: Change your Gamertag
On Xbox, your Apex Legends username is your Gamertag. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to Profile and System, then select your profile. Choose "Customize Profile" and then "Change Gamertag." You can change your Gamertag once for free, and additional changes cost money (pricing varies by region).
Type your new Gamertag, confirm it, and the change is when ready. Launch Apex Legends and your new name will show up in the lobby and during matches.
What happens to your old username
When you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to use. If you had a rare or desirable name, someone else could claim it. There's no way to reserve your old name or reclaim it later, so think about whether you want to keep it before you change.
Your rank, battle pass level, cosmetics, and all other progress stay attached to your account. Friends who had you added will still see you on their friends list, though your name will update to the new one. Matches you played under your old name will still show that old name in the match history, but your profile and current stats display your new username.
Troubleshooting: Your change didn't show up
If you changed your username but it's not showing in Apex Legends, try closing the game completely and relaunching it. Sometimes the game needs to refresh to pull the new name from EA's servers. On console, make sure you're logged into the correct account — if you have multiple profiles on your PlayStation or Xbox, you might be playing on a different one than the one you changed.
If the change still hasn't appeared after a full restart, check whether you're within the 30-day cooldown from a previous name change. If you are, you'll need to wait until the cooldown expires. You can see the exact date you'll be able to change again in your EA Account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once?
Yes, but you can only change it once every 30 days. This limit is set by EA and applies to all their games. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, you'll see a timer showing when you can change it again.
Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?
Yes. If they have you added as a friend, you'll stay on their friends list and your name will update automatically. They'll see your new username the next time they log in. If someone doesn't have you added yet, they'll need to search for your new name to find you.
What characters can I use in my new username?
Apex Legends usernames can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Spaces and most special characters are not allowed. The maximum length is 16 characters. If you try to use a character that isn't allowed, the system will tell you and ask you to pick a different one.
Do I lose my skins, battle pass, or rank if I change my username?
No. Your username is just a display name. Everything else — your rank, battle pass progress, cosmetics, and account level — stays exactly the same. You're not creating a new account; you're just changing what name appears next to your stats.
What if someone took the username I want?
Usernames are first-come, first-served. If someone else is using the name you want, you'll get an error message saying it's taken. You'll need to pick a different name. There's no way to request that someone else's username be released.