The fastest way to change your username on Switch

To change your Fortnite username on Nintendo Switch, you change your Epic Games account name through the Epic Games website, not through the Switch itself. Your Switch plays the game, but your Epic Games account controls your username, cosmetics, and progress across all platforms.

The process takes about five minutes: sign into your Epic Games account on a computer or phone, go to your account settings, find the display name field, type your new username, and save. Your new name appears in Fortnite the next time you launch the game on your Switch.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username lives on your Epic Games account, so you change it through the Epic Games website, not through your Switch console.
  • You need to sign into your Epic Games account with the email and password you use to play Fortnite.
  • Usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and cannot contain spaces, but can include numbers and underscores.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect the next time you launch Fortnite.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Epic Games website

Open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to www.epicgames.com. In the top right corner, click Sign In. Enter the email address and password you use to play Fortnite on your Switch.

Once you are signed in, click your account icon 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 it to edit.

Type your new username. It must be 3 to 16 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Click Save when you are done.

Launch Fortnite on your Switch. Your new username will appear in the lobby and in-game. Other players will see your new name when ready.

What happens if your desired username is already taken

If the username you want is already in use, the Epic Games website will tell you so when you try to save. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding a number at the end, using an underscore in the middle, or picking a different word entirely.

There is no waitlist for usernames. If a username is taken, it stays taken unless that player deletes their account, which is rare. Your best option is to pick a variation you like and move forward.

Changing your username if you forgot your password

If you do not remember the password for your Epic Games account, click Forgot Password on the Epic Games sign-in page. Enter the email address linked to your account. Epic Games will send you a password reset link to that email.

Open the email, click the reset link, and create a new password. Then sign back in and follow the steps above to change your username. Make sure you use a password you can remember, or save it in a password manager on your device.

Why your new username might not show up right away

After you save your new username on the Epic Games website, it can take a few minutes to sync to the Fortnite servers. If you launch Fortnite when ready and still see your old name, close the game completely and relaunch it. Restarting your Switch is not necessary, but closing and reopening Fortnite usually fixes the delay.

If your new username still does not appear after relaunching, sign out of your Epic Games account on your Switch and sign back in. Go to your Switch settings, select Users, choose your profile, then Link to Nintendo Account. Select your Epic Games account and sign in again. This forces your Switch to sync with the latest account information.

Username rules and what you cannot use

Fortnite usernames must follow these rules: 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only (plus underscores), no spaces, no special characters. Usernames cannot start or end with an underscore, and you cannot use consecutive underscores.

Epic Games also blocks usernames that contain slurs, hate speech, or impersonation of real people or celebrities. If you try to save a username that violates these rules, the website will reject it and ask you to choose another one.

Changing your username on other platforms

If you play Fortnite on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or mobile, you use the same Epic Games account and the same username. Changing your username on the Epic Games website changes it everywhere at once. You do not need to change it separately on each platform.

Your cosmetics, V-Bucks, and battle pass progress are also tied to your Epic Games account, so they follow you across all platforms. If you link your Switch to the same Epic Games account you use on another console, you will see the same inventory and progress on your Switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Epic Games limits username changes to once every 30 days. If you changed your username recently, you will see a timer on the display name field showing when you can change it again. Plan your username change carefully so you do not waste your monthly change on a name you do not want long-term.

Will changing my username affect my progress or cosmetics?

No. Your progress, V-Bucks, skins, and battle pass are all tied to your Epic Games account, not your username. Changing your username does not touch any of that. You will keep everything you have earned or purchased.

What if I see a different name in Fortnite than the one I set?

You may have set a Display Name (what other players see) and a Username (your account login) separately. Make sure you are editing the Display Name field on the General settings page. If you edited the wrong field, go back and change the Display Name instead.

Can I change my username if I am banned from Fortnite?

If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot change your username until the suspension is lifted. Contact Epic Games support through their website if you believe your ban was a mistake. They can review your account and explain why it was suspended.

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to change my username?

No. You can change your username on the Epic Games website without Nintendo Switch Online. You only need Switch Online to play Fortnite online on your Switch. The username change itself happens on the Epic Games website and does not require any subscription.