You change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, not through the Switch itself
Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, which is separate from your Nintendo Switch account. This means you cannot change it from the Switch console — you have to log into Epic Games on a computer or phone, find your account settings, and change 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 it, you will need to reset it before you can change your username.
Key Takeaways
- Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, which you access on a web browser, not on your Switch.
- You need your Epic Games password to change your username, so reset it first if you have forgotten it.
- The change appears when ready in Fortnite on Switch and any other platform linked to that Epic Games account.
- You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name cannot be the same as your old one.
- If your Switch is linked to a child account, the parent or guardian may need to approve the change depending on parental control settings.
Steps to change your username on a computer
Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In 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, enter the code from your authenticator app or email.
Once you are logged in, click your account name or avatar in the top right and select Account. On the left side, click General. You will see a field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username. Click the pencil icon next to it, type your new username, and click Save. Epic Games will confirm the change and show you when you can change it again (usually 30 days later).
Steps to change your username on a phone or tablet
Open a web browser on your phone or tablet and go to www.epicgames.com. Tap Sign In and enter your email and password. Complete any two-factor authentication if prompted.
Tap your account name or avatar at the top and select Account. Tap General on the left. Find the Display Name field, tap the pencil icon, enter your new username, and tap Save. The change takes effect right away.
What usernames are allowed and what to avoid
Epic Games does not allow usernames that contain profanity, hate speech, or impersonation of real people or brands. Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed.
Your new username cannot be the same as your current one, and you cannot change it more than once every 30 days. If you try to use a name that is already taken or violates the rules, Epic Games will tell you and ask you to pick a different one.
If your Switch is linked to a child account
If your Switch console is set up with parental controls and your Fortnite account is linked to a child profile, the account owner (parent or guardian) may need to approve the username change. This depends on the specific parental control settings on your Switch.
If you see a message saying the change requires approval, ask the account owner to log into their Epic Games account and approve it from their account settings. Alternatively, the account owner can change the username directly from their own Epic Games login.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you forgot your Epic Games password, click Forgot Password on the sign-in page. Epic Games will send a reset link to the email address on your account. Click the link, create a new password, and then log back in to change your username.
If you see a message that your username is unavailable or violates the rules, try a different name. If the system says you cannot change your username yet, you have already changed it within the last 30 days — you will have to wait until the cooldown expires. If your Switch is linked to a child account and you cannot make the change, contact the account owner or check the parental control settings on your console.
What happens after you change your username
Your new username appears in Fortnite on your Switch within a few seconds. It also updates on any other platform where you play Fortnite with the same Epic Games account — PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or mobile.
Your friends list, match history, and cosmetics stay exactly the same. Other players will see your new username in matches and on leaderboards. If you had a custom display name set in your Switch profile, that does not change — only your Fortnite username changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once a month?
No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. If you just changed your username, you will have to wait at least 30 days before you can change it again. The system will tell you the exact date you can change it next.
Will my friends still see me after I change my username?
Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends will see your new username the next time they log in. You will still appear in their friends list under your new name.
What if I change my username and then want to change it back?
You can change it back, but you have to wait 30 days from your last change. You cannot use the same username twice in a row — if you want to go back to an old name, you have to wait the full cooldown period first.
Does changing my Fortnite username affect my Nintendo Switch username?
No. Your Fortnite username and your Switch profile name are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. Your Switch friends will still see your Switch profile name, not your Fortnite username.
What if the Epic Games website will not let me log in?
Make sure you are using the correct email address and password for your Epic Games account. If you still cannot log in, reset your password using the Forgot Password link. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, check your email or authenticator app for the code and enter it when prompted.