The fastest way to change your username on mobile

You change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website or app, not through Fortnite itself. On mobile, open the Epic Games app or go to www.epicgames.com in your browser, sign in to your account, go to Account Settings, select "General," and look for the "Display Name" field. Type your new username there and save. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite.

If you are on an iPhone, you may need to use a web browser instead of the Epic Games app because of how Apple handles account management on iOS. Android users can use either the Epic Games app or a browser — both work the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your display name in Epic Games Account Settings under "General," not in the Fortnite game itself.
  • The change shows up in Fortnite right away, but other players may see the old name briefly if they have not refreshed their game.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you save.
  • Your Epic Games username (the one you log in with) is different from your display name (what other players see) and cannot be changed.

Step-by-step on the Epic Games app

Open the Epic Games app on your phone and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Account" and then "General." Scroll down until you see "Display Name" — this is what other players see in Fortnite. Tap the field, delete your current name, type the new one, and tap "Save." You will see a confirmation message.

The new name appears in your Fortnite lobby within seconds. If you are playing a match when you change it, you may need to restart Fortnite to see the change reflected in-game, but the change is already live on Epic's servers.

Step-by-step in a web browser

Go to www.epicgames.com on your phone's browser and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then tap "Account." Select "General" from the left menu. Find "Display Name" and tap the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name and tap "Save."

If you are on iPhone and the Epic Games app is not working for account changes, this browser method is your best option. It works exactly the same way on Android, but Android users usually have better luck with the app.

What counts as a valid username

Your new display name can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like hyphens or periods, or words that Epic Games has flagged as inappropriate. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, the system will tell you why and ask you to try again.

Epic Games does not reserve names, so if someone else has the username you want, you cannot have it. You can use the same name across multiple accounts if you own them, but each account's display name must be unique.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your display name, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule applies whether you change it once or ten times — the clock resets each time you save a new name. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, the system will show you the exact date when you can change it again.

Plan your username change carefully because of this limit. If you make a typo or change your mind when ready, you are stuck with it for a month. Some players write out their new name on paper first to catch mistakes before they hit save.

Difference between display name and Epic username

Your display name is what other players see in Fortnite — this is what you just changed. Your Epic username is what you use to log into your account, and it cannot be changed. If your Epic username is "JohnSmith2005" and your display name is "SkyWalker," other players see "SkyWalker" in the game, but you still log in as "JohnSmith2005."

This matters because some players get confused and think changing their display name will let them log in with a different username. It will not. Your login credentials stay the same forever.

What happens if your name change does not show up

If you changed your display name but it still shows the old name in Fortnite, close the app completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close Fortnite entirely, then tap the app again. On Android, swipe up from the bottom or use your recent apps menu to close it, then reopen it.

If the old name still appears after you restart, wait a few minutes and try again. Epic's servers usually sync the change within seconds, but occasionally there is a delay. If it has been more than an hour and the name has not updated, sign out of your Epic Games account in Fortnite's settings and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days between each change. The 30-day timer starts from the moment you save your new name, not from when you started typing it. Plan ahead because you cannot undo a change or speed up the waiting period.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Display names are not reserved, so if another player is using the name you want, you cannot have it. You can try a variation — adding a number, underscore, or letter — or pick a different name. There is no way to request that Epic Games free up a name someone else is using.

Will my friends still see me in their friends list after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list connection is tied to your Epic account, not your display name. When you change your display name, you stay on all your friends' lists, and they stay on yours. Your friends will see your new name the next time they open Fortnite or refresh their friends list.

Can I change my username if I am banned or suspended?

If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot change your display name until the suspension is lifted. If your account is permanently banned, you cannot make any changes. Contact Epic Games support if you believe your account was suspended by mistake.

Does changing my display name affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay with your account no matter what display name you use. The change is cosmetic only — it affects only what other players see your name as in the game.