Change Your Fortnite Username Through the Epic Games Website

Your Fortnite username lives on Epic Games' servers, not on your Nintendo Switch itself. This means you change it through the Epic Games website, not through any Switch menu. The process takes about five minutes and works whether you play on Switch, PC, PlayStation, or mobile.

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the Epic Games account linked to your Switch. If you are not sure which account that is, check your Switch's user settings: go to System Settings, then Users, select your user, and look for "Linked Accounts" to see which Epic Games account is connected.

Once you are signed in on the Epic Games website, click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. Then click on the Username tab. Your current username appears here. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are changed on the Epic Games website, not on your Switch — go to epicgames.com, sign in, and click Account.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or most special characters.
  • If your desired username is taken, Epic Games shows you that when ready and suggests alternatives you can choose from instead.

What Names Are Allowed and What Happens If Your Choice Is Taken

Fortnite usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, periods, hyphens, or most other punctuation marks. Epic Games also blocks usernames that contain profanity or impersonate real people or brands.

When you type a new username into the field, Epic Games checks when ready whether it is available. If someone else has already taken it, the site tells you when ready and offers a list of similar usernames that are still open. You can pick one from that list or go back and try a completely different name.

Once you confirm your new username, it becomes active right away. Anyone you play with will see the new name the next time you load into a match, even if they are still on Switch and you are on a different platform.

The 30-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Epic Games allows you to change your username once every 30 days. If you changed your username recently, the website will show you the exact date when you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to avoid being tracked or reported.

The 30-day timer starts from the moment you confirm your new username, not from when you started the process. If you change your mind while editing but before you hit confirm, no timer starts — you can try again when ready.

Troubleshooting: When the Change Does Not Work

If you click confirm and nothing happens, refresh the page. Sometimes the browser does not load the confirmation properly. If the page refreshes and your old username is still there, wait a few minutes and try again — Epic Games' servers occasionally lag during peak hours.

If you see an error message saying your account is not old enough to change its username, your Epic Games account must be at least 30 days old. New accounts cannot change their username for the first month. Check the account creation date in your Account settings to see when you become may be able to access.

If you are signed in but cannot find the Username tab, make sure you are looking at the right Epic Games account. Some people have multiple Epic accounts without realizing it. Check your Switch's linked account again and sign out of the website, then sign back in with the correct account.

How Your New Username Appears Across Fortnite

Your new username shows up everywhere: in the lobby, on your profile, in chat, and in match results. Friends see it when ready. If you are in the middle of a match when you change it, you may need to restart Fortnite on your Switch to see the change reflected in-game, but the change is already live on Epic Games' end.

Your Switch user account name stays the same — only your Fortnite username changes. These are separate things. Your Switch username is what appears in your Switch profile and in other Switch games; your Fortnite username is only for Fortnite.

Changing Your Username If You Forgot Your Epic Games Password

If you cannot sign into the Epic Games website because you forgot your password, go to www.epicgames.com/account/password and enter the email address tied to your account. Epic Games sends you a password reset link. Click it, create a new password, and then sign back in to change your username.

If you do not remember the email address either, click "Can't sign in?" on the Epic Games login page and select "I don't know my username or email." Epic Games will ask you for your display name or phone number to look up your account. Once you find it, you can reset your password and proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Fortnite username affect my progress or cosmetics?

No. Your skins, Battle Pass progress, V-Bucks, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed changes. Your account level, stats, and friends list are unaffected.

Can I change my username back to an old one I used before?

Yes, if no one else has claimed it. Old usernames become available again after you change away from them. You can reclaim a previous username as long as you wait the 30 days between changes and the name has not been taken by someone else in the meantime.

Will my friends still see me in their friends list after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list and their ability to find you does not change. They will just see your new username next to your name in their friends list and in matches.

What if I see a username I want but it says it is taken?

Epic Games shows you a list of similar available usernames when your first choice is taken. You can pick one from that list, or close the suggestions and try a completely different name. There is no way to reserve a name or get on a waitlist for a taken username.

Do I need to change my password after changing my username?

No. Changing your username does not affect your password or account security. Your password stays the same unless you choose to change it separately in your Account settings.