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 other players see 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, use only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot be blank or contain spaces. If the name you want is already taken, the website will tell you when ready so you can try another one.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Fortnite username through the Epic Games website, not through the Switch itself.
  • The Display Name field in your account settings is what other players see in-game.
  • Your new username takes effect right away on Switch and all other platforms where you play.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 16 characters and can only include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully if you have changed it recently.

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

If you have been playing Fortnite on Switch without linking it to an Epic Games account, you are using a temporary local account. You cannot change the username on a local account — you have to create or link an Epic Games account first.

To link your Switch to Epic Games: go to www.epicgames.com, sign in (or create an account), click your account icon, select Connections, find Nintendo Network, and click Connect. Follow the prompts to sign in with your Nintendo account. Once linked, you can change your display name through Epic Games settings as described above.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games limits you to one username change every 30 days. If you changed your name recently, you will see a message on the Display Name field telling you when you can change it again. This rule applies whether you changed it on Switch, on another platform, or through the website.

If you made a typo or chose a name you regret, you have to wait out the 30 days. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception. Plan your next change for after that date has passed.

Checking what your current username is

On your Switch, start Fortnite and look at the top left of the lobby screen — your display name appears there. You can also check it on the Epic Games website by going to Account > General and looking at the Display Name field.

If you see a string of numbers instead of a name you recognize, your account may not be fully linked to Epic Games, or you may be logged into a different account than you thought. Check which Nintendo account is active on your Switch by going to System Settings > Users and confirming you are using the right profile.

Why your username might not change on Switch right away

After you change your display name on the Epic Games website, it usually shows up on Switch within a few minutes. If it does not, try closing Fortnite completely and reopening it. If you still see the old name, sign out of your Epic Games account on the Switch and sign back in.

To sign out: go to the Switch home screen, open Fortnite, and look for an account or settings option in the main menu. The exact location varies by game version, but it is usually in the top right. Sign out, then sign back in with your Epic Games credentials. Your new username should appear after you restart the game.

What you cannot change about your account

Your Epic Games username (the one you use to log in) is different from your display name (what other players see). You can change your display name once every 30 days, but your login username cannot be changed. If you need a different login name, you have to create a new Epic Games account.

Your account level, cosmetics, V-Bucks, and battle pass progress are tied to your Epic Games account, not to your display name. Changing your display name does not affect any of these.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username on the Switch without a computer?

No, you need to use a web browser on a phone, tablet, or computer to change it. The Switch does not have a built-in way to edit your display name. You can use your phone's browser to go to epicgames.com and make the change, then it will show up on your Switch within minutes.

What if someone else is using the username I want?

Usernames are unique — only one person can have each display name. If the name you want is taken, the Epic Games website will say so when you try to save it. You will have to choose a different name, such as adding numbers or underscores to make it unique.

Do I lose my skins and V-Bucks if I change my username?

No. Your cosmetics, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, and account level stay with your Epic Games account no matter how many times you change your display name. Only the name that other players see changes.

How long does it take for my new username to show up on Switch?

Usually a few minutes. If it takes longer than 10 minutes, close Fortnite completely and reopen it. If the old name still appears, sign out of your Epic Games account on the Switch and sign back in.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days from your last change. Once that period is over, you can change your display name to anything available, including a previous username.