You change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, not through the Switch itself
Your Fortnite username lives on Epic Games' servers, not on your Nintendo Switch console. This means you cannot change it from the Switch menu or from inside the game. Instead, you log into your Epic Games account on a computer or phone, go to your account settings, and change the name there. The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite — Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or mobile.
The process takes about five minutes and requires you to know your current Epic Games password. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it before you start.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit www.epicgames.com and sign into your account on a computer or phone to change your username.
- Go to Account Settings, then Personal, then look for the Display Name field to make the change.
- Your new username appears in Fortnite on Switch within a few minutes, though it may take longer to update in some menus.
- You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name must be between 3 and 16 characters.
- Your Switch friend list and party chat do not depend on your Fortnite username, so changing it will not affect how friends find you on the console.
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. Click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for the Epic Games account linked to your Switch. If you see a two-factor authentication prompt, complete it using the method you set up (usually a code sent to your email or generated by an authenticator app).
Once you are signed in, click your account name or avatar in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side menu, click Personal. Scroll down until you find the Display Name field. Click the pencil icon next to your current username 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. Epic Games will confirm the change, and you are done.
Return to your Switch and launch Fortnite. Your new username should appear in the lobby within a few minutes. If it still shows your old name, restart the game or wait a few more minutes for the servers to sync.
What to do if you forgot your Epic Games password
Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Click the "Forgot password?" link below the password field. Enter the email address for your Epic Games account. Epic Games will send a password reset link to that email. Open the email, click the link, and create a new password. Once you have reset it, follow the steps above to change your username.
If you do not have access to the email address linked to your account, you will need to contact Epic Games support through their website. This process takes longer, so resetting your password through email is faster if possible.
The 30-day waiting period between username changes
Epic Games allows you to change your username once every 30 days. This means if you changed your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts from the moment you save the change, not from the next day.
If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the website will show you a message saying when you can change it next. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, so choose your new username carefully.
Rules for what your new username can be
Your Fortnite username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or profanity. Epic Games reviews usernames and may force you to change yours if it violates their code of conduct.
Your username must also be unique — no two players can have the exact same display name. If you try to save a name that someone else already uses, the website will tell you it is taken and ask you to choose a different one.
How your username change affects your Switch friends and party
Your Nintendo Switch friend list is separate from your Fortnite username. Friends on your Switch console will still see your Switch profile name, not your Fortnite username. Changing your Fortnite name does not change your Switch name and does not affect how friends find you on the console.
If you are in a Fortnite party with friends when you change your username, they will see the new name appear in the party chat within a few minutes. Your old name will disappear from their screens, and your new name will take its place. This does not kick anyone out of the party or disrupt the game.
Troubleshooting: your new username is not showing up on Switch
If you changed your username on the Epic Games website but it still shows your old name in Fortnite on Switch, try these steps in order. First, restart Fortnite completely — close the game and reopen it. Second, restart your Switch console. Third, wait 10 to 15 minutes and check again, as the servers sometimes take longer to sync.
If your new username still does not appear after restarting and waiting, sign out of your Epic Games account on the Switch and sign back in. Go to the Switch home screen, open System Settings, select Users, choose your user account, and then select Link to Nintendo Account. Follow the prompts to sign out and back into your Epic Games account. Launch Fortnite again and your new username should appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username on the Switch without using a computer?
No, you must use a web browser to change your username on the Epic Games website. You can use a phone browser if you do not have a computer, but the Switch web browser cannot access the account settings page you need.
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 to your username. Changing your display name does not touch any of your items or currency.
What happens if Epic Games forces me to change my username?
If your username violates Epic Games' code of conduct, you will receive an email notification and your username will be changed to a temporary one. You will then have 30 days to choose a new appropriate username before you can play online. Log into your Epic Games account and change it through the Personal settings page.
Can I use the same username I used before if I changed it 30 days ago?
If you changed your username and then changed it again to something else, you cannot use your original username again until 30 days have passed since your most recent change. The 30-day timer applies to each new username you create, not to usernames you have already used.
Does my Fortnite username have to match my Switch username?
No. Your Fortnite display name and your Switch profile name are completely separate. You can have any Fortnite username you want, and it does not need to match what your Switch account is called.