Yes, you can change your Fortnite username on Switch, but the process depends on whether you play through a Nintendo account or an Epic Games account

The fastest way is to change it through your Epic Games account, which controls your username across all platforms including Switch. You log into your Epic Games account on a web browser, go to your account settings, find the username field, and update it there. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite on your Switch and everywhere else you play.

If you have not linked your Switch to an Epic Games account yet, you will need to do that first. Once linked, you can change the username through Epic's website. If you only play through your Nintendo account without an Epic Games account attached, you cannot change your username — Nintendo does not control Fortnite usernames, Epic Games does.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username is controlled by Epic Games, not by Nintendo, so you change it through your Epic Games account settings on a web browser.
  • You must have linked your Nintendo Switch account to an Epic Games account before you can change your username.
  • Username changes take effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite, including Switch, PC, and mobile.
  • Epic Games allows you to change your username once every 30 days, and the new name must be between 3 and 16 characters.

How to change your username through Epic Games

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

Click the pencil icon next to your current display name to edit it. Type your new username, which must be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is already taken. Once you enter a name that is available, click Save. The change is live in Fortnite on your Switch within seconds.

Linking your Switch account to Epic Games if you have not already

If you have been playing Fortnite on Switch without linking to Epic Games, you need to do that before you can change your username. Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in or create an Epic Games account, and click on your account name in the top right. Select Connections. Find Nintendo Network in the list and click Connect.

You will be sent to Nintendo's sign-in page. Log in with the Nintendo account you use on your Switch. Nintendo will ask you to confirm that you want to connect your account to Epic Games — click yes. Once the connection is complete, your Fortnite progress on Switch is now tied to your Epic Games account, and you can change your username through Epic's website.

The 30-day waiting period between username changes

Epic Games limits you to one username change every 30 days. If you changed your username recently, you will see a message on the Display Name field telling you when you can change it again. The 30 days starts from the date of your last change, not from a calendar month.

If you have never changed your username before, you can change it right away. If you change it and then want to change it again, you will have to wait 30 days from the date you made the first change.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to use after a short delay. Your old username does not stay reserved for you. If you change your mind about a new username and want to go back to your old one, you can do that, but you will have to wait 30 days from when you changed to the new name.

Your friends list, V-Bucks balance, skins, and battle pass progress all stay with your account. Only the display name changes — everything else follows you to your new username.

Usernames that Epic Games will not allow

Epic Games rejects usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission. The system also blocks names that are too similar to existing Epic Games staff accounts or that impersonate other players. If you try to set a username and it is rejected, Epic will tell you it violates their username policy, but they do not always explain which rule it broke.

If your username was rejected and you are not sure why, try a different name. If you believe your rejection was a mistake, you can contact Epic Games support through their website, though they may take several days to respond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my Nintendo username to change my Fortnite username?

No. Your Fortnite username is separate from your Nintendo account name. You can change your Fortnite username without touching your Nintendo account at all. Changing your Nintendo username would affect your Nintendo profile across all games, not just Fortnite.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not change when you update your username. They will see your new name the next time they log in, but you will still be the same person on their friends list with all your previous interactions and history intact.

Can I change my username if I have not spent any money on Fortnite?

Yes. There is no spending requirement to change your username. Whether you have bought V-Bucks or skins or played completely free, you can change your display name through your Epic Games account settings once every 30 days.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Click Forgot your password? and enter the email address tied to your Epic Games account. Epic will send you a password reset link. Click the link, create a new password, and then you can log in and change your username.