Where to change your username depends on your platform

You cannot change your Apex Legends username directly inside the game. Instead, you change the account name tied to the platform you play on — your EA account on PC, your PlayStation Network name, or your Xbox Gamertag. Apex reads that platform username and displays it in-game, so changing your platform account name changes how other players see you in Apex.

The steps differ by platform because each one has its own account system. If you play on multiple platforms with the same EA account, changing your username on one platform does not change it on the others — each platform manages its own name independently.

Key Takeaways

  • Apex Legends displays whatever username your platform account uses, so you change your name through PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or EA's website, not through the game itself.
  • On PlayStation, you can change your name once for free, then pay a fee for each change after that; on Xbox, the first change is free and subsequent changes cost money.
  • On PC, you change your EA account name directly on EA's website without any fee.
  • The name change takes effect when ready in Apex, though it may take a few minutes to show up in your friends' lists.
  • You cannot use special characters, spaces, or names that violate the platform's code of conduct, and some platforms restrict how often you can change.

Changing your username on PC

On PC, go to www.ea.com and sign into your EA account. Click your account name in the top right corner, then select Account. Under the Personal Info section, you will see your current display name. Click Edit next to it and type your new name.

EA allows you to change your display name as many times as you want at no cost. The new name takes effect when ready in Apex and other EA games. Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot match a name already in use.

Changing your username on PlayStation

On PlayStation, go to your console's home screen and open Settings. Select Users and Accounts, then Other, then User Profile. Choose Edit Profile and select Change PSN. Type your new name and confirm.

PlayStation allows your first name change for free. After that, each change costs money — the exact price varies by region. You can change your name once every 60 days. Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters and cannot contain spaces or most special characters. The change shows up in Apex within a few minutes.

If you have played online multiplayer games on your old PSN name, some games may still show your old name in their servers for a while. Apex updates quickly, but other games may take longer.

Changing your username on Xbox

On Xbox, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to Profile & system, then Profile, then Customize profile. Select Gamertag and choose Change gamertag. Type your new name and confirm the purchase (the first change is free; later changes cost money).

Xbox allows your first gamertag change at no cost. Subsequent changes require payment, with the price varying by region. You can change your gamertag as often as you want once you have paid. Your new name must be between 3 and 15 characters, cannot contain spaces, and cannot use most special characters. The change appears in Apex within a few minutes.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username on your platform, your old name becomes available for someone else to use. Other players will see your new name in Apex when ready, but your old name will not appear in your match history or on your profile — Apex shows your current name everywhere.

If you have a custom banner or other cosmetics tied to your account, they stay with you. Your rank, battle pass progress, and all unlocked items follow your account, not your old username.

Restrictions and things that can go wrong

Each platform has rules about what names are allowed. You cannot use names that include slurs, hate speech, or references to illegal activity. Names that impersonate real people or famous accounts may be rejected. Spaces are not allowed on any platform.

If you try to change your name and get an error, the most common reasons are that the name is already taken, the name violates the platform's code of conduct, or you have changed your name too recently (PlayStation limits you to once every 60 days). Try a different name or wait the required time before trying again.

Some players report that their old name still appears in their friends' lists for a day or two after the change. This is normal — the friend list updates on a delay. Restarting the game or the console usually forces an when ready update.

Changing your EA account name separately from your platform name

If you play on console, your EA account name is separate from your platform name. You can change your EA display name on www.ea.com without changing your PlayStation or Xbox name, but Apex will still show your platform name in-game. To change what appears in Apex on console, you must change your platform name, not your EA name.

On PC, your EA account name is what shows in Apex, so changing your EA display name is the only step you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, your old name becomes available to other players. If you want to reclaim it, you can change your name back to it as long as it has not been taken. On PlayStation, you will need to pay for the change unless it is your first one.

Does changing my username affect my rank or progress?

No. Your rank, battle pass level, unlocked skins, and all other progress stay with your account. Only your displayed name changes. Other players will see your new name, but your stats and cosmetics are unaffected.

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

The change usually appears within a few minutes. If you are still seeing your old name after 10 minutes, restart Apex or your console. Your friends may see your old name in their friends list for up to a day — this is a delay on their end, not a problem with your account.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. All platforms restrict usernames to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and most special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, the platform will reject the name and ask you to try again.

What if my desired username is already taken?

Try a variation — add a number, use a hyphen or underscore, or pick a different name entirely. If the name you want is taken, you cannot use it unless the person who has it changes their name and you claim it before someone else does.