The quickest way: change it through the Epic Games website

You cannot change your Fortnite username directly from your Switch. Instead, you log into your Epic Games account on a computer or phone browser, go to your account settings, and change it there. The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite, including Switch.

Here is the exact path: go to www.epicgames.com, click the account icon in the top right, select Account, then click General on the left sidebar. You will see a field labeled Display Name — that is what appears in-game. Click the pencil icon next to it, type your new name, and click Save.

The name must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot contain spaces. Epic Games checks whether the name is already taken before you save, so you will know right away if you need to pick something else.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your display name through the Epic Games website, not through the Switch itself or the Fortnite app.
  • Your new name shows up in Fortnite on Switch within seconds and also updates on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile if you play there.
  • Display names must be 3 to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces.
  • If the name you want is taken, Epic Games tells you when ready so you can try a different one without losing your progress.

Making sure your Switch account is linked to Epic Games first

Before you can change your name through Epic Games, your Nintendo Switch account must be connected to your Epic Games account. If you created your Fortnite account directly on Switch without linking it, you will need to do that first.

To check if your accounts are linked, go to www.epicgames.com and log in. Click your account icon, select Connections, and look for Nintendo Switch in the list. If it shows Connected next to it, you are ready to change your name. If it shows Connect, click that button and follow the prompts to link your Switch account.

Linking does not delete your progress or change anything about your Fortnite account — it just lets Epic Games know which Switch account owns your Fortnite profile. Once linked, you can change your display name from the Epic Games website.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old display name becomes available for someone else to use when ready after you change it. There is no grace period or way to reserve it. If you think you might want to switch back later, write down your old name somewhere safe.

Your account ID — a long number that Epic Games uses internally — never changes. Friends who added you by account ID can still find you. However, if they added you by your display name in Fortnite, they will need to search for your new name to find you again, or you can send them a friend request yourself.

Changing your name on Switch if you play offline or have parental controls

If your Switch has parental controls enabled, you may not be able to access the Epic Games website from your Switch browser. In that case, use a computer, tablet, or phone that does not have those restrictions to log into epicgames.com and change your display name.

The change will still explore to your Fortnite account on Switch the next time you launch the game and connect to the internet. You do not need to be on the Switch itself to make the change.

Troubleshooting: your new name is not showing up in-game

If you changed your display name on the Epic Games website but it still shows your old name in Fortnite on Switch, try closing the game completely and reopening it. Sometimes the Switch caches the old name and needs to refresh.

If the old name persists after restarting, log out of Fortnite on your Switch (go to Settings in the game, scroll to the bottom, and select Sign Out), then log back in. This forces the Switch to fetch your current account information from Epic Games servers.

If you still see the old name after that, check that you are logged into the correct Epic Games account. It is possible to have multiple accounts linked to the same Switch profile. Go back to www.epicgames.com, confirm you are logged into the account you play Fortnite with, and verify that the display name there matches what you intended to set.

Changing your name more than once

You can change your display name as often as you want. There is no limit on how many times you can do it, and no waiting period between changes. However, each time you change it, the old name becomes available for someone else when ready.

Epic Games does monitor for names that violate their code of conduct — anything hateful, sexually explicit, or impersonating a real person or public figure will be flagged. If your name is reported and found to violate the rules, Epic Games may force you to change it and restrict you from using similar names in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username from the Switch itself?

No. The Switch Fortnite app does not have a display name change option. You must go to www.epicgames.com on a computer or phone, log into your account, and change it in the General settings under Display Name.

Will changing my name delete my skins, V-Bucks, or battle pass progress?

No. Changing your display name does not affect anything in your account. Your skins, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, and all cosmetics stay exactly as they are. Only the name that appears above your character changes.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Display names on Fortnite are not unique — multiple players can have the same display name. If the name you want is already taken, you can still use it. Epic Games only prevents you from using a name if it violates their code of conduct.

Do my friends have to re-add me after I change my name?

Not if they added you by account ID. If they added you by searching your old display name, they will need to search for your new name or you can send them a friend request. The easiest way is to tell them your new name and have them search for it.

How long does it take for the name change to show up on Switch?

Usually within seconds. Close Fortnite completely and reopen it, and your new name should appear. If it does not, try signing out and signing back in from the game settings.