The fastest way to change your username on Switch

You change your Fortnite username through your Epic Games account, not through the Switch itself. Open a web browser on any device, go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with the account linked to your Switch, and look for Account settings in the menu. From there, select Display Name and type in your new username. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite, even though it may take a few minutes to show up across all Epic Games services.

You do not need to restart Fortnite or your Switch for the change to work. The next time you launch the game, your new username will appear. If you see your old name still showing after 10 minutes, sign out of Fortnite completely, close the app, and sign back in.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username on the Epic Games website, not in the Switch settings or inside Fortnite itself.
  • Your Epic Games account must be linked to your Switch profile before you can change the display name.
  • The new username shows up in Fortnite within a few minutes, though other Epic Games services may take longer to update.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you submit the change.
  • If your new name does not appear after 10 minutes, sign out of Fortnite completely and sign back in.

Making sure your Epic Games account is linked to your Switch

Before you can change your username, your Epic Games account must be connected to your Nintendo Switch profile. To check this, open your Switch, go to System Settings, select Users, and pick the profile you play Fortnite on. Look for Linked Accounts and see if Epic Games is listed there. If it is, you are ready to change your username on the Epic Games website.

If Epic Games is not listed, you need to link it first. On your Switch, go to System Settings, Users, your profile, and Linked Accounts. Select Link with Other Services, then Epic Games. You will be taken to a sign-in page where you enter your Epic Games email and password. Once you complete that, your accounts are connected and you can change your username.

Steps to change your display name on the Epic Games website

Go to www.epicgames.com in any web browser and sign in with the email and password for your Epic Games account. Once you are logged in, look for your account menu — this is usually your profile picture or name in the top right corner of the page. Click it and select Account.

On the Account page, find the section labeled General or Profile Information. You should see a field called Display Name or Username. Click on it, delete your current name, and type in the new one you want. Usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Epic Games does not allow spaces or special characters like periods or apostrophes.

After you type your new name, look for a Save or Confirm button and click it. You will see a message saying your display name has been changed. That is it — you are done on the website. The name will show up in Fortnite within a few minutes.

What to do if your new username does not appear in Fortnite

If you changed your display name on the Epic Games website but it still shows your old name in Fortnite after 10 minutes, the issue is usually just a delay in syncing. The fastest fix is to sign out of Fortnite completely. On your Switch, press the X button to close Fortnite, then open it again and sign back in with your Epic Games account.

If your old name still appears after signing back in, restart your Switch entirely. Hold the power button for a few seconds, select Power Options, and choose Restart. Once the Switch boots back up, open Fortnite again. The new username should now be visible. If it still is not showing after a full restart, wait another 30 minutes — sometimes the Epic Games servers take longer to push the change to all connected devices.

The 30-day waiting period between username changes

Epic Games limits you to one username change every 30 days. This means once you change your display name, you cannot change it again for a full month. The 30-day timer starts the moment you save your new name on the Epic Games website, not when it appears in Fortnite.

Because of this limit, think through your new username before you submit it. Make sure it is something you actually want to use for the next month. If you change your mind when ready after, you will have to wait until the 30 days are up before you can pick something different.

Changing your username does not affect your progress or cosmetics

Your Fortnite progress, V-Bucks, Battle Pass tier, and all cosmetics stay exactly the same when you change your username. The display name is just what other players see when they look at your profile or see you in a match — it does not touch any of your account data or items.

Your friends list also stays the same. People who have you added will still see you in their friends list after you change your name, and they will see your new username the next time they log in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. Once you change your display name, you must wait a full 30 days before you can change it again. The timer starts when you save the change on the Epic Games website.

What characters can I use in my Fortnite username?

You can use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. Epic Games does not allow spaces, periods, apostrophes, or other special characters.

If I change my username, will my friends still be able to find me?

Yes. Your friends list does not change when you update your display name. Anyone who has you added will still see you in their friends list, and they will see your new username the next time they log in to Fortnite.

Why is my old username still showing in Fortnite after I changed it on the Epic Games website?

The change usually takes a few minutes to sync to Fortnite. If it has been more than 10 minutes, close Fortnite completely and reopen it. If it still does not show, restart your Switch. The Epic Games servers occasionally take 30 minutes to push the change to all devices.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password and your display name are separate. Changing your username does not affect your password or account security in any way.