Change Your Epic Games Account Name, Not Your Switch Profile

Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not on your Nintendo Switch itself. This means you change it through Epic's website or app, not through Switch settings. Your Switch username and your Fortnite username are separate — you can have one name on your Switch and a completely different name in Fortnite.

The process takes about five minutes and requires you to sign into your Epic Games account from a computer or phone. You cannot change your Fortnite username directly from the Switch console.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username is stored in your Epic Games account, which you reach through a web browser or the Epic Games app, not through your Switch.
  • You can change your display name once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect when ready in Fortnite.
  • Your Switch username stays the same — only your Fortnite name changes.
  • If your Epic account is not yet linked to your Switch, you must link them first before the name change will show up in your game.

Sign Into Your Epic Games Account Online

Open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to www.epicgames.com. Click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password you use for your Epic Games account — this is the same account you linked to your Switch when you first played Fortnite.

If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot?" on the sign-in screen and Epic will send you a reset link to your email. Check your spam folder if you do not see it within a few minutes.

Navigate to Your Account Settings

Once you are signed in, look for your account icon or profile picture in the top right corner of the Epic Games website. Click it and select "Account" from the menu that appears. You will see a list of options on the left side of the page.

Click on "General" to find your display name settings. This is where your Fortnite username appears and where you can change it.

Change Your Display Name

On the General settings page, you will see a field labeled "Display Name" or "Username." Click the edit button (usually a pencil icon) next to it. Type in the new name you want to use in Fortnite. Epic Games allows display names between 3 and 16 characters, using letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.

After you type your new name, click "Save" or "Confirm." Epic will tell you whether the name is available. If someone else already has that name, you will need to choose something different. Once you save a new display name, you cannot change it again for 30 days.

Wait for the Change to Show Up in Your Game

The new name usually appears in Fortnite within a few minutes. If you are already in a game when you change it, close Fortnite completely and restart it. Your new username will show up in your profile, in the lobby, and in matches.

Other players will see your new name the next time they encounter you in a game or look at your profile. Friends who have you added will see the name change in their friends list.

Link Your Epic Account to Your Switch If You Have Not Already

If you created a Fortnite account on your Switch without linking it to an Epic Games account, your display name change will not show up in the game. You must link them first.

On your Switch, open Fortnite and go to the main menu. Select "Settings," then "Account," then "Connections." Look for "Epic Games" in the list and click it. Follow the prompts to sign into your Epic Games account. Once linked, your display name change will appear in Fortnite within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username more than once a month?

No. Epic Games limits display name changes to once every 30 days. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed since your last change, the website will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again.

Will changing my Fortnite username affect my Switch profile name?

No. Your Switch profile name and your Fortnite username are completely separate. You can change one without affecting the other. Your Switch username stays the same unless you go into Switch settings and change it there.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Epic will tell you the name is unavailable when you try to save it. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make your preferred name unique — for example, "Player_123" instead of "Player."

Do I need to be online on my Switch for the name change to work?

No. You change your display name through the Epic Games website, so you do not need your Switch turned on. The next time you open Fortnite on your Switch, the new name will be there.

What if my new username does not show up after I restart Fortnite?

Wait a few more minutes — sometimes the change takes longer to sync. If it still has not appeared after 10 minutes, sign out of your Epic Games account in Fortnite (go to Settings, Account, Connections, and disconnect Epic Games), then sign back in. This forces a refresh of your account information.