The fastest way: change it through the Epic Games website, not through Switch

Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not on your Nintendo Switch console. This means you change it on the Epic Games website, and the change shows up everywhere you play — Switch, PlayStation, PC, mobile, or anywhere else you use that account.

You do not need to own a computer to do this. You can open the Epic Games website on your Switch's web browser, or on any phone or tablet. The steps are the same either way.

The change takes effect when ready. Anyone you play with will see your new name the next time you load the game.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, so you change it on the Epic Games website, not in the Switch settings.
  • You can make the change from your Switch's web browser, a phone, a tablet, or any computer — you do not need a specific device.
  • The new username appears everywhere you play Fortnite within minutes, across all platforms linked to that Epic Games account.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name must be between 3 and 16 characters with no spaces.
  • If your desired username is taken, Epic Games will suggest similar alternatives, but you cannot reserve a name or join a waitlist.

Step-by-step: changing your username from your Switch

Open the web browser on your Nintendo Switch. Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the Epic Games account linked to your Fortnite profile. If you are not sure whether you are signed in, look for your username in the top right corner of the page.

Once you are signed in, click your username in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, find the section labeled General on the left side. Click Display Name.

You will see your current username and a text box to enter a new one. Type your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters, and you can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces. Click Save. If the name is already taken, the page will say so and suggest alternatives you can choose instead.

After you save, you may see a message asking you to confirm your email address. Check your email inbox for a message from Epic Games and click the confirmation link. Once confirmed, your new username is active.

Step-by-step: changing your username from a phone or computer

The process is identical on any device. Open a web browser and go to www.epicgames.com. Sign in with your Epic Games account. Click your username in the top right corner and select Account.

In the left menu, click General, then click Display Name. Enter your new username in the text box. Remember: 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only (hyphens and underscores are allowed, but not spaces). Click Save.

If you see a message asking you to confirm your email, open your email inbox, find the message from Epic Games, and click the link inside. Your new username will be live once the email is confirmed.

What happens if your desired username is taken

If someone else already has the username you want, Epic Games will not let you use it. The website will show you that the name is taken and offer you a list of similar alternatives — usually your desired name with numbers added, or slight variations.

You cannot reserve a username or join a waitlist to claim one later. If you want a specific name that is taken, your only options are to choose a different name now, or try a variation (like adding your birth year or a number that means something to you).

Epic Games does not recycle old usernames from inactive accounts, so if a name is taken, it will likely stay taken.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This limit applies whether you changed it intentionally or had it changed by Epic Games support for a policy violation.

If you made a typo or chose a name you regret, you are stuck with it for a month. Choose carefully before you save.

After 30 days have passed, you can change your username as many times as you want, as long as you wait 30 days between each change.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change does not work

If you saved your new username but it is not showing up in Fortnite, restart the game. Close Fortnite completely and reopen it. Your new username should appear in your profile and in the lobby.

If you see an error message saying "Display Name is unavailable" or "Display Name contains invalid characters," check that your username is between 3 and 16 characters and uses only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like @, #, or ! are not allowed.

If you did not receive a confirmation email after clicking Save, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, go back to the Display Name page and try saving again. If you still do not receive an email after several minutes, contact Epic Games support through their website.

Why your Switch username and your Fortnite username are different

Your Nintendo Switch has its own username — the name you see in the Switch home screen and in your Switch profile. Your Fortnite username is separate and lives in your Epic Games account. Changing one does not change the other.

This is why you change your Fortnite name on the Epic Games website, not in the Switch settings. If you change your Switch username, your Fortnite name stays the same. If you change your Fortnite name, your Switch username stays the same.

When you play Fortnite, other players see your Fortnite username, not your Switch username. So if you want people in the game to see a different name, you need to change it through Epic Games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username on the Switch console itself?

No. Your Fortnite username is stored in your Epic Games account, not on the Switch. You must change it on the Epic Games website. You can do this from your Switch's web browser, but the actual change happens on the website, not in the Switch settings.

Will changing my Fortnite username affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics are tied to your Epic Games account, not your username. Changing your display name does not touch any of your items or currency.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Click 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 and create a new password.

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

Only if 30 days have passed since you changed it the first time. You can change your username to anything available, including a previous username, but you must wait 30 days between changes.

Does my new username show up when ready in Fortnite?

It should appear within a few minutes. If it does not, restart Fortnite completely. Close the app and reopen it. Your new username will display in your profile and in the lobby once the game reloads.