Yes, you can change your Epic Games username, but only once every 14 days
Epic Games lets you change the username associated with your account through your account settings. The process takes a few minutes and happens when ready, but there is a waiting period between changes. If you have changed your username recently, you will see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again.
The username you see in games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys is pulled directly from your Epic Games account. When you change it in your account settings, it updates everywhere you play within a few minutes. This is different from your email address or password, which serve different security purposes.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Epic Games username once every 14 days through your account settings on the Epic Games website.
- The new username appears in all your games within a few minutes of the change.
- Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
- If your username is reported and removed by Epic Games, you cannot choose a replacement — one is assigned to you automatically.
How to change your username step by step
Go to www.epicgames.com and sign into your account. Click your account name in the top right corner, then select Account from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, click General. You will see your current username displayed near the top.
Click the pencil icon next to your username to edit it. Type your new username in the field that appears. Epic Games will tell you when ready whether the name is available — if it is taken, you will see a red message and cannot proceed. Once you have chosen an available name, click Save. The change takes effect right away.
If you have changed your username within the last 14 days, the edit button will be grayed out and show a countdown timer instead. You must wait until that timer reaches zero before you can make another change.
Username rules and what Epic Games will reject
Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. Epic Games does not let you use special characters like @, #, $, or !, and you cannot include periods in a row (like "..").
Epic Games removes usernames that contain hate speech, slurs, or content that violates their terms of service. If your username is removed, you will receive an email notification. Epic Games will assign you a temporary username automatically — you cannot pick the replacement yourself, but you can change it to something else once the assignment is complete. After that, the normal 14-day waiting period applies to future changes.
What happens to your old username after you change it
When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim. There is no grace period or hold. If you change from "PlayerOne" to "PlayerTwo," another person can sign up and take "PlayerOne" when ready. This matters if you are trying to keep a username reserved or if you want to switch back later.
Your account history, friends list, and game progress stay with your account no matter how many times you change your username. Other players will see your new name in their friends list and in games, but your account ID (a long number behind the scenes) never changes.
Changing your username on console or mobile
You cannot change your username directly from a console or mobile device. You must use the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. Sign in at www.epicgames.com, follow the steps above, and the change will sync to all your devices within a few minutes.
If you are playing Fortnite or another game on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, your Epic Games username is what appears to other players — not your console username. Changing your console name does not change your Epic Games username, and vice versa.
If you cannot change your username
The most common reason you cannot change your username is the 14-day waiting period. Check the countdown timer next to your username in account settings to see exactly when you will be able to make another change.
If the edit button is grayed out but you do not see a timer, your account may have a restriction. This can happen if Epic Games detected suspicious activity or if your account was recently compromised. Try signing out completely, waiting a few minutes, and signing back in. If the problem persists, contact Epic Games support through their help portal at www.epicgames.com/help.
If you are trying to use a username that is already taken, you will need to choose a different one. Epic Games does not hold usernames for inactive accounts, so even old or abandoned accounts can have names that are still in use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once every 14 days?
No. Epic Games enforces a 14-day waiting period between username changes. You can see exactly when your next change becomes available by looking at the countdown timer in your account settings.
Will my friends still see me after I change my username?
Yes. Your account ID stays the same, so your friends list does not change. Your friends will see your new username in their friends list and in games within a few minutes of the change.
What if someone else takes my old username?
Once you change your username, the old one is available when ready for anyone to claim. If you want to keep a username reserved, do not change away from it unless you are certain you will not want it back.
Can I change my username if my account was hacked?
If your account was compromised, you should change your password when ready through the Epic Games website. You can still change your username using the same process, but focus on securing your account first by enabling two-factor authentication.
Does changing my username affect my Fortnite skins or V-Bucks?
No. Your skins, V-Bucks, Battle Pass progress, and all other in-game items stay with your account. The username is just the display name — everything you own is tied to your account ID, which never changes.