Yes, you can change your Fortnite username on Switch, but the process depends on which account type you use

If you play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch, you can change your username through your Epic Games account — the account that holds your Fortnite progress, cosmetics, and friends list. The Switch itself does not control your Fortnite name; Epic Games does. You change it the same way whether you play on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or PC.

The catch is that Epic Games limits how often you can change your username. You get one free change, and after that, each change costs 1,000 V-Bucks (Fortnite's premium currency). The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite, not just Switch.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not your Nintendo Switch profile, so you change it through Epic's website or app.
  • You get one free username change; subsequent changes cost 1,000 V-Bucks each.
  • You must wait 30 days between username changes, and the new name takes effect when ready across all platforms.
  • If you have never changed your username before, you can do it for free right now.

How to change your username through the Epic Games website

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the Epic Games account linked to your Switch. Click your account name in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side, click General. You will see a field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username.

Click the pencil icon next to your current name to edit it. Type your new username (it must be between 3 and 16 characters, and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores). Click Save. If this is your first change, it will go through when ready at no cost. If you have changed your name before, the system will ask you to confirm the V-Bucks charge.

The new name appears in Fortnite within seconds. You do not need to restart the game or your Switch.

How to change your username through the Epic Games mobile app

Open the Epic Games app on your phone or tablet and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Account. Tap General, then tap the pencil icon next to Display Name. Enter your new username and tap Save.

The process is identical to the website method — your first change is free, and the name updates when ready across all your devices.

What happens if your desired username is already taken

Epic Games allows multiple players to have the same display name, so technically no username is permanently unavailable. However, if someone else is already using the exact name you want, the system will tell you it is taken and ask you to choose something different.

If you see a name you want but it is marked as taken, try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique — for example, "YourName_1" or "YourName99". You can also wait and try again later; if the other player changes their name, the one you want may become available.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. This applies whether you paid V-Bucks or used your free change. If you try to change your name before 30 days have passed, the system will show you a countdown timer telling you how many days remain.

The timer starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first clicked edit. If you change your name on day 1 at 3 p.m., you can change it again on day 31 at 3 p.m.

Why your Switch profile name and Fortnite username are different

Your Nintendo Switch profile has its own name, separate from your Fortnite username. Changing one does not change the other. Your Fortnite name is what other players see in the game and on leaderboards; your Switch profile name is what appears on your console's home screen and in Nintendo's online services.

If you want to change your Switch profile name as well, you do that through the Switch settings, not through Fortnite or Epic Games. Go to System Settings on your Switch, select your profile, and choose Edit Profile. That change affects only your Switch console and does not touch your Fortnite account.

What to do if you cannot sign into your Epic Games account on the website

If you have forgotten your Epic Games password or cannot access the email linked to your account, you will not be able to change your username until you regain access. Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In, then click Forgot Password. Epic will send a reset link to the email address on file.

If you no longer have access to that email address, click Can't sign in? on the sign-in page and follow the account recovery steps. You may need to provide information about your account (like the date you created it or past V-Bucks purchases) to verify your identity. This process can take a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my free username change now, or can I save it for later?

You can save your free change for whenever you want. There is no important date. However, once you use it, the 30-day waiting period begins, so plan ahead if you think you might want to change your name again soon.

If I change my Fortnite username, do my friends have to re-add me?

No. Your friends list is tied to your Epic Games account, not your username. When you change your name, your friends will see the new name in their friends list automatically, and you remain friends with them.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days and pay 1,000 V-Bucks (unless it is your free change). There is no special rule that lets you revert to an old name for free or faster.

Will changing my username affect my battle pass progress or cosmetics?

No. Your username is just a display name. All your cosmetics, battle pass progress, V-Bucks balance, and stats stay exactly the same.

What if I see an error message when I try to save my new username?

The most common errors are that the name contains forbidden characters (only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores are allowed), the name is fewer than 3 characters or more than 16, or you are trying to change your name before 30 days have passed since your last change. Check the error message for details, and try a different name or wait longer if needed.