You can only get a username that is currently unclaimed or belongs to an inactive account
Fortnite does not let you take a username from someone else who is actively playing. If the name you want is in use by an account that has logged in within the last few years, Epic Games will not release it to you. The only usernames available to claim are ones that have never been registered, or ones attached to accounts that have been inactive long enough for Epic to consider them abandoned.
The inactive threshold is not publicly stated by Epic Games, but based on player reports, accounts that have not logged in for roughly two to three years become may be able to access for username reclamation. Even then, Epic does not automatically free up those names — you have to request one through their support system, and they review each request individually.
If the username you want is currently taken by an active player, your only real option is to choose a different name or wait to see if that player eventually stops using the account.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim any username that has never been registered or that belongs to an account inactive for approximately two to three years.
- Active accounts — ones that have logged in recently — cannot have their usernames taken, no matter how long you have wanted that name.
- To request an inactive username, you contact Epic Games support through your account settings and explain why you want the name.
- Epic Games reviews each request manually, so there is no may provide they will release the name even if the account appears abandoned.
- You can change your own username once for free, and additional changes cost 950 V-Bucks each through the Item Shop.
How to check if a username is available before requesting it
Before you spend time filing a request with Epic Games, verify that the username you want is actually unclaimed or inactive. The easiest way is to search for the account on the Fortnite tracker websites, which show whether an account exists and when it was last active.
Go to FortniteTracker.com or TRN.gg, type the username into the search bar, and look at the account details. If the search returns no results, the name has never been registered and you can claim it when ready through your own account settings. If the search shows an account with a recent last-seen date (within the last year or two), that account is still active and you cannot take the name. If the account shows no activity for several years, it may be may be able to access for reclamation, but you will need to contact Epic Games to confirm.
Some usernames are also reserved by Epic Games itself — these are typically names of Fortnite staff members, famous streamers, or trademarked terms. You cannot claim these even if they appear unclaimed, because Epic has locked them from public registration.
Requesting an inactive username through Epic Games support
If you have found an inactive username you want, log into your Epic Games account and go to www.epicgames.com/help. Click "Contact Us" and select "Account and Login" as the category. In the issue type, choose "Change Display Name" or "Username Request."
In your message, provide the exact username you want and explain that you believe it belongs to an inactive account. Include the approximate last activity date you found on the tracker, if you have one. Be clear and factual — Epic Games staff review these requests manually, and a straightforward explanation works better than a long story about why you deserve the name.
Epic Games does not may provide they will release the name, even if the account is inactive. They may deny the request if they believe the account owner might return, or if the name is reserved for other reasons. Response times vary, but you should expect to wait at least one to two weeks for a reply.
What to do if Epic Games denies your request
If Epic Games says no, you have a few options. You can ask them to reconsider if you have new information about the account's inactivity, but do not expect a different answer if your first request was thorough. You can also wait longer — if the account remains inactive for another year or more, you can submit a new request and Epic may approve it the second time.
Your other choice is to pick a variation of the username you want. Many players add numbers, underscores, or short prefixes to get close to their ideal name. For example, if "Shadow" is taken, you might claim "Shadow_2024" or "ShadowX". This is not the same as the original name, but it can feel close enough if you are flexible.
Changing your own username once you have claimed it
Once you have confirmed that a username is available, you can change your own display name to claim it. In Fortnite, your display name is what other players see in-game, and it is separate from your Epic Games account name.
Log into your Epic Games account, go to Account Settings, and click "Display Name." Type in the username you want and confirm the change. Your first display name change is free. After that, each additional change costs 950 V-Bucks, which is the in-game currency you purchase with real money.
The change takes effect when ready in most cases, though it may take a few minutes to update across all Fortnite servers. Once you have claimed the name, it is yours as long as you keep your account active.
Why some usernames stay unavailable even when inactive
You may find an account that has been inactive for years but Epic Games still will not release the username. This usually happens for a few reasons. The account might belong to someone who paid for exclusive cosmetics or battle pass content, and Epic is more cautious about those accounts in case the player returns. The name might be trademarked or reserved by Epic for future use. Or Epic's internal records might show recent activity that does not appear on public trackers.
There is no way to override Epic Games' decision on a reserved name. If they say it is not available, it is not available, and requesting multiple times will not change the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a username from someone else?
No. Fortnite usernames cannot be bought, sold, or transferred between accounts. Epic Games does not allow account trading or username sales, and any third-party site claiming to sell usernames is a scam. Your only path to a specific username is claiming an unclaimed one or requesting an inactive one through official Epic Games support.
How long does it take for an account to become inactive enough to reclaim?
Epic Games has not published an exact timeframe, but based on player experience, accounts with no login activity for two to three years are generally may be able to access for reclamation requests. Accounts with more recent activity will be denied. Even if an account meets the inactivity threshold, Epic may still refuse your request if they believe the owner might return.
What if the username I want has a space or special character in it?
Fortnite usernames cannot contain spaces or most special characters. You can use letters, numbers, and underscores only. If the name you want includes a space or symbol, you will need to adapt it — for example, "Cool Player" would become "Cool_Player" or "CoolPlayer".
Do I lose my current username if I change it?
Yes. When you change your display name, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim. If you think you might want to go back to your current name later, you should know that you cannot reserve it — someone else could take it while you are using a different one.
Can I have multiple accounts with similar usernames?
Yes, you can create multiple Epic Games accounts and give each one a different display name. However, each account requires its own email address, and you can only play one account at a time on a single device. If you are trying to find multiple variations of a name, you can do that, but you will be managing separate accounts.