You change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, not through your Switch console

Your Fortnite username lives on Epic Games' servers, not on your Nintendo Switch. This means you cannot change it from the Switch itself — you have to log into your Epic Games account on a computer or phone, go to your account settings, and update it there. The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite, including Switch.

The process takes about five minutes and requires you to know your current Epic Games password. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it before you can change your username.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit www.epicgames.com and sign into your account using the same email or username you use on Switch.
  • Go to Account Settings, then Display Name, and type your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change shows up when ready in Fortnite on all devices.
  • If your Switch account is not linked to an Epic Games account, you will need to link them first before you can change the username.

Step-by-step: changing your username on a computer

Open a web browser on your computer and go to www.epicgames.com. Click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address or username associated with your Epic Games account, then enter your password and click Sign In.

Once you are signed in, click your account name in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side of the page, click Display Name. You will see your current username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but no spaces. Click Save.

Epic Games will confirm the change with a message on screen. Your new username is now active in Fortnite on your Switch and every other platform where you play.

Changing your username on a phone or tablet

If you do not have a computer nearby, you can change your username from your phone or tablet. Open a web browser and go to www.epicgames.com. Sign in with your email or username and password.

Tap your account name at the top of the page and select Account. Scroll down to find Display Name and tap it. Tap the pencil icon next to your current username, type your new one, and tap Save. The change takes effect right away.

What happens if your Switch is not linked to an Epic Games account

If you created your Fortnite account directly on your Switch without linking it to Epic Games, you will need to link them before you can change your username. To do this, go to www.epicgames.com, sign in, and look for a section called Connections or Connected Accounts. Select Nintendo Switch and follow the prompts to connect your Switch account to your Epic Games account.

Once the accounts are linked, you can change your display name using the steps above. Linking usually takes a few seconds, but occasionally it can take up to 15 minutes to show up in Fortnite. After linking is complete, your Switch will recognize your Epic Games account the next time you launch Fortnite.

Username rules and limits

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or profanity. Epic Games reviews usernames and may force a change if yours violates their code of conduct.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you just changed it, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. This limit applies across your entire Epic Games account, not per platform.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you cannot remember your Epic Games password, go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Click Forgot Password. Enter the email address associated with your account. Epic Games will send you a link to reset your password — check your email inbox and spam folder. Click the link, create a new password, and sign in. Then follow the steps above to change your username.

If you do not have access to the email address tied to your account, you will need to contact Epic Games support through their website. They can help you regain access to your account so you can make changes to your username.

Your username versus your Switch profile name

Your Fortnite username and your Nintendo Switch profile name are separate. Changing your Fortnite username does not change your Switch profile name, and changing your Switch profile name does not change your Fortnite username. Other players see your Fortnite username in the game, not your Switch name.

If you want to change your Switch profile name itself, you do that through the Switch System Settings, not through Epic Games. That change affects your Switch experience across all games and apps, but it will not affect how you appear in Fortnite.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my new username to show up in Fortnite?

The change is when ready. As soon as you save your new username on the Epic Games website, it appears in Fortnite on your Switch and all other platforms. You may need to restart Fortnite to see it, but usually it shows up without restarting.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days between changes. If you changed your username today, you cannot change it again until 30 days from now. After that period ends, you can set it to anything you want, including a previous username.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Usernames are unique — only one person can have each one. If the username you want is taken, you will see an error message when you try to save it. Try a variation, like adding a number or underscore, or choose a different name entirely.

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

No. You only need your current password to sign into your Epic Games account. Changing your username does not require you to change your password, and it does not affect your password in any way.

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

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