Change Your Username Through the Epic Games Website

The fastest way to change your Epic Games username on Xbox is through the Epic Games website, not through Xbox itself. Your Epic Games account controls your username across all platforms, including Xbox. You will need to sign in to your Epic Games account on a computer or phone, then make the change in one place — it updates everywhere you play.

Go to www.epicgames.com and click the account icon in the top right corner. Select Account from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click General. You will see your current display name listed under "Display Name" — this is what other players see. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new username into the field. Epic Games allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. Once you type it, click Save. The change takes effect when ready, and the next time you sign into Xbox, your new name will appear in your profile and in-game.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Epic Games username on the Epic Games website, not in Xbox settings, because your Epic account controls your name across all platforms.
  • Sign in at epicgames.com, go to Account > General, and click the pencil icon next to your Display Name to edit it.
  • Your new username must be 3 to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • The change takes effect when ready and will show on Xbox the next time you sign in.
  • If your desired username is taken, Epic Games will tell you and you will need to choose a different one.

What Happens to Your Old Username

When you change your Epic Games username, your old name becomes available for someone else to use after a short waiting period. Any friends who had you added under your old name will still see you in their friends list — the change does not break those connections. However, if someone searches for your old username, they will not find you.

Your game progress, cosmetics, V-Bucks, and all other account data stay exactly the same. The username change only affects what people see when they look at your profile or encounter you in a match. Your account ID — a number behind the scenes — never changes, so games know it is still you.

If Your Desired Username Is Already Taken

When you try to save a new username, Epic Games checks whether it is already in use. If someone else has it, you will see a message saying the name is unavailable. You will need to choose a different one. Try adding a number at the end, using an underscore or hyphen, or picking a different name altogether.

There is no waitlist or reservation system — you cannot claim a username that is currently taken and wait for it to free up. You have to pick something available right now. If you are set on a specific name, you can try it again in a few weeks in case the person using it has abandoned their account, but Epic Games does not may provide old accounts will be cleaned up.

Changing Your Xbox Gamertag Separately

Your Xbox gamertag and your Epic Games username are two different things. Changing one does not change the other. Your Xbox gamertag is what appears in Xbox menus and on your Xbox profile. Your Epic Games username is what appears in Fortnite, Rocket League, and other Epic Games titles.

If you want to change your Xbox gamertag as well, you do that through Xbox settings on your console or at account.xbox.com. Go to your profile, select Customize profile, and choose Gamertag. Changing your gamertag costs 800 Microsoft Points the first time and 1,000 Microsoft Points for each change after that. Your Epic Games username change is free and happens on the Epic Games website.

Troubleshooting: Changes Not Showing Up on Xbox

If you changed your username on the Epic Games website but it still shows your old name on Xbox, sign out of your Xbox account completely and sign back in. This forces Xbox to refresh your profile information from Epic Games. Go to Settings > Account > Sign out, wait a few seconds, then sign back in with your credentials.

If the old name persists after signing out and back in, restart your Xbox console entirely. Hold the power button on the front of the console for 10 seconds until it shuts down completely, then turn it back on. This clears the cached profile data and pulls fresh information from Epic Games' servers. The new username should appear once the console finishes starting up.

Changing Your Username on Mobile or PlayStation

The process is identical on any device because you are always changing your username through the Epic Games website. Whether you play on iPhone, Android, PlayStation, PC, or Nintendo Switch, you sign in at epicgames.com and make the change in the same Account > General section. The username updates across all platforms at once.

If you play the same game on multiple platforms and want them all to show the same username, you do not need to do anything — they already do. Your Epic Games account is linked to all your platforms, so one username change affects every place you play. You only need to sign out and back in on each platform to see the new name reflected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I change my Epic Games username?

You can change your username as often as you want. There is no cooldown period or limit on how many times you can do it. Each change is free and takes effect when ready. However, once you change your username, the old one becomes available for others to claim after a waiting period.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list is tied to your account ID, not your username. When you change your name, you will still appear in all your friends' lists under your new username. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Epic Games only allows letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces, periods, and other special characters are not permitted. Your username must also be between 3 and 16 characters long.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password and cannot sign in?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Select Forgot password? and enter the email address linked to your account. Epic Games will send you a password reset link. Click the link in your email, create a new password, and sign in. Once you are logged in, you can change your username.

Does changing my username affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay on your account. The username is just the display name — everything you own is tied to your account ID and does not change when you update your name.