Where to change your username in Apex Legends

You change your Apex Legends username through the platform you play on — not through the game itself. If you play on PC through Steam, you change it in Steam. If you play on PlayStation, you change it in your PlayStation Network account. If you play on Xbox, you change it in your Xbox Live account. Nintendo Switch players change it through their Nintendo account. Apex Legends pulls your username from whichever platform you're signed into, so updating it there updates it in the game.

The process is free and takes about five minutes. You don't need to contact Respawn Entertainment or EA Support unless something goes wrong during the change itself. Most players can complete this alone without any help.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apex Legends username comes from your platform account (Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo), not from a setting inside the game.
  • Steam lets you change your username as many times as you want with no cooldown, but PlayStation and Xbox impose a one-year wait between changes on the same account.
  • After you change your platform username, the new name appears in Apex Legends within a few minutes, though you may need to restart the game to see it.
  • Changing your username does not affect your rank, battle pass progress, cosmetics, or any other account data.

Changing your username on Steam

Open Steam and click your account name in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for the pencil icon next to your current name and click it. Type your new username in the text box that appears, then click "Save". Your new name takes effect when ready in Steam and in Apex Legends within a few minutes.

Steam does not limit how often you can change your username. You can change it back and forth as many times as you want. There is no cooldown period and no fee.

Changing your username on PlayStation Network

Go to your PlayStation account settings on the console or at account.playstation.com. Select "Profile" and then "Edit Profile". Click on your current username and type the new one you want. Confirm the change by entering your password.

PlayStation Network allows you to change your username once for free. After that, each additional change costs money — the exact price varies by region but is typically around $10 USD or the equivalent in your local currency. You must also wait one year between changes on the same account. If you changed your username within the past year, you will not be able to change it again until that year has passed.

Changing your username on Xbox Live

Sign into your Xbox account at account.xbox.com or go to Settings on your Xbox console. Select "Account" and then "Personalization". Click "Gamertag" and enter your new username. Xbox will check whether the name is available and let you know if it's taken.

Xbox Live gives you one free gamertag change. After that, each change costs money — typically around $10 USD depending on your region. Like PlayStation, Xbox enforces a one-year wait between changes on the same account. If you have already changed your gamertag within the past year, you cannot change it again until that year is up.

Changing your username on Nintendo Switch

On your Nintendo Switch console, go to System Settings and select "Users". Choose your user account, then select "Profile". Click "Nickname" and type your new username. Confirm the change.

Nintendo Switch allows you to change your nickname as many times as you want with no cooldown and no cost. The change takes effect when ready in the system and in Apex Legends within a few minutes.

What happens to your account after you change your username

Your rank, battle pass progress, cosmetics, skins, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Changing your username is purely cosmetic — it only changes the name that appears above your character in matches and on your profile. You keep all your Legend skins, weapon skins, badges, and trackers.

Friends who have you added will see your new username the next time they log in. If you were in the middle of a match when you changed your username, you may need to restart Apex Legends to see the new name displayed in the game, though your platform will show it when ready.

If your desired username is already taken

Each platform has millions of players, so popular names are often taken. If the username you want is unavailable, try adding numbers to the end, using underscores or hyphens, or spelling it slightly differently. Some players add their main Legend's name or a number that means something to them.

You cannot reserve a username or put a username on a waiting list. If someone else has the name you want, your only option is to choose a different one. On Steam, you can change your name back and forth to experiment with different options until you find one that is available and that you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my rank or progress?

No. Your rank, battle pass level, Legend unlocks, cosmetics, and all other progress stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed above your character changes.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in Apex Legends?

Usually within a few minutes. If you don't see it right away, restart Apex Legends and it should appear. Your platform account updates when ready, but the game sometimes takes a moment to sync.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

On Steam and Nintendo Switch, yes — you can change it back anytime with no restrictions. On PlayStation and Xbox, you can change it back only if you have not used your one free change yet, or if you are willing to pay for an additional change and wait out the one-year cooldown.

What if I see my old username in a match after I changed it?

This usually means the game hasn't fully synced yet. Restart Apex Legends and your new name should appear. If it still shows your old name after a restart, wait a few more minutes and try again.

Can I change my username if I'm banned or suspended?

You can change your platform username, but if your Apex Legends account is suspended or banned, changing your username will not lift the ban. The ban is tied to your account, not your username. Contact EA Support if you believe your ban was made in error.