Your Fortnite username changes through Epic Games, not through Nintendo Switch settings

Your Fortnite name lives in your Epic Games account, not on your Switch console itself. This means you cannot change it from the Switch menu — you have to log into Epic Games online or through the Fortnite app, find your account settings, and change it there. The Switch is just the device you play on. Once you change your Epic Games username, it updates everywhere you play Fortnite, including on your Switch.

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

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are managed through your Epic Games account online, not through Nintendo Switch settings.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all devices.
  • You need your Epic Games password to make the change, so reset it first if you have forgotten it.
  • The fastest route is to visit www.epicgames.com on any web browser, sign in, and go to Account Settings.

Sign into your Epic Games account on a web browser

Open any web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet and go to www.epicgames.com. In the top right corner, click or tap Sign In. Enter the email address and password you use for your Epic Games account.

If you see a screen asking you to verify your identity through email or a two-factor authentication app, follow those steps. Epic Games sends a code to your email or shows one in your authenticator app — enter that code to finish signing in.

Navigate to your account settings

Once you are signed in, look for your account icon or name in the top right corner of the page. Click or tap it, then select Account from the menu that appears. You will see several options on the left side of the page, including General, Password, Email, and other settings.

Click or tap General. This is where your display name (the username other players see) is stored.

Change your display name

In the General section, you will see a field labeled Display Name. This is the name that shows up in Fortnite when other players see you in matches or on their friends list. Click or tap in that field and delete your current name, then type the new one you want.

Fortnite usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces. If the name you want is already taken, the system will tell you and you will need to choose a different one.

Once you have entered a name that is available, click or tap the Save button. The page will confirm that your change went through.

Wait for the change to appear on your Switch

Your new username takes effect when ready in your Epic Games account, but it may take a few minutes to show up on your Nintendo Switch. The next time you launch Fortnite on your Switch, sign out and sign back in to your Epic Games account. Your new username should appear.

If you still see your old name after signing back in, close Fortnite completely (not just putting the Switch to sleep) and open it again. This forces the app to refresh and pull your updated account information from Epic Games.

What to do if you cannot find the Display Name field

If you are looking at your account settings and do not see a Display Name field, you may be in the wrong section. Make sure you clicked General on the left side, not Password or Email. If you are in General and still do not see it, try signing out and signing back in to your Epic Games account, then refresh the page.

If you have changed your username within the last 30 days, Epic Games will not let you change it again yet. The system enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If this is the case, the Display Name field will show a message telling you when you can change it next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username from the Nintendo Switch menu?

No. Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, which you manage online. The Switch console settings only control your Nintendo account name, not your Fortnite name. You must go to www.epicgames.com to change it.

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

The change is when ready in your Epic Games account, but it may take a few minutes to appear on your Switch. Sign out of Fortnite and sign back in, or close the app completely and reopen it. This forces your Switch to refresh your account information.

What if someone else already has the username I want?

Fortnite usernames are unique — only one person can have each name. If the name you want is taken, you will see an error message when you try to save it. You will need to choose a different name, such as adding numbers or an underscore to make it unique.

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you have changed your name recently, you will see a message in your account settings telling you when you can change it again.

Do I need to change anything on my Nintendo Switch after I change my Epic Games username?

No. Once you change your username in your Epic Games account, it updates automatically on your Switch the next time you sign in to Fortnite. You do not need to change any Switch settings.