Your Fortnite username is separate from your Nintendo Switch username

Changing your Nintendo Switch username does not change your Fortnite username. They are two different accounts that happen to be linked. Your Fortnite username is the name other players see in-game and on your profile — the one you created when you first signed up for an Epic Games account. To change it, you log into Epic Games directly, not through your Switch.

This matters because your Switch username is what appears on your console and in Nintendo's system, while your Fortnite username is what appears in Fortnite lobbies, on leaderboards, and in your friends list within the game. If you want to change how you appear to other Fortnite players, you need to change the Fortnite name, not the Switch name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not on your Nintendo Switch, so you must change it through Epic Games' website.
  • You can change your Fortnite username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play.
  • You need to know the email address and password for the Epic Games account linked to your Switch to make the change.
  • If you have never linked your Switch to an Epic Games account, you must do that first before you can change the username.

Check that your Switch is linked to an Epic Games account

Before you can change your Fortnite username, you need to confirm that your Nintendo Switch is connected to an Epic Games account. Open Fortnite on your Switch and look at the main menu. If you see your Fortnite username displayed, your Switch is already linked. If you see a prompt to link your account or sign in, you will need to do that first.

To link your Switch if it is not already linked, select the account option from the Fortnite main menu and follow the prompts to sign in with your Epic Games email and password. If you do not have an Epic Games account yet, you can create one during this process. Once linked, your Switch will remember the connection and you can proceed to change your username.

Go to the Epic Games website and sign in

Open a web browser on any device — your computer, phone, or tablet — and go to www.epicgames.com. Click the sign-in button, usually in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for the Epic Games account that is linked to your Switch.

If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Epic Games account, you will be asked to enter a code from your authenticator app or email. This is a security step and is normal. Once you are signed in, you should see your account name and profile picture at the top of the page.

Navigate to your account settings

After you sign in, click on your account icon or profile picture in the top right corner of the Epic Games website. A dropdown menu will appear. Look for an option that says "Account" or "Settings" and click it. This takes you to your account dashboard.

On the account dashboard, look for a section labeled "General" or "Personal Info" on the left side. Click on it. You should see several fields including your display name, email, and other account details. The display name is what you see in Fortnite — this is what you are about to change.

Change your display name

Find the field labeled "Display Name" or "Username" on your account settings page. Click in the text box next to it and clear the current name. Type in the new username you want to use in Fortnite. Usernames can usually be 3 to 16 characters and may include letters, numbers, and underscores, but rules vary — the system will tell you if your choice breaks a rule.

Before you confirm the change, check that you have not changed your username in the last 30 days. If you have, the system will not let you change it again until 30 days have passed from your last change. Once you are ready, click the button to save or confirm the change — it is usually labeled "Save" or "Confirm". The change takes effect when ready.

Verify the change in Fortnite

Close the Epic Games website and open Fortnite on your Nintendo Switch. You may need to restart the game or wait a few minutes for the change to sync. Once you are back in the game, check your profile by pressing the menu button and looking at your account name. It should now show your new username.

If the old name still appears, try closing Fortnite completely and opening it again. Sometimes the game takes a moment to refresh. If the new name still does not show after a restart, sign out of your Epic Games account on the Switch and sign back in. This forces the Switch to pull the latest information from Epic Games' servers.

What to do if you cannot change your username

If you see a message that says you cannot change your username yet, you have likely changed it within the last 30 days. Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes to prevent abuse. You will need to wait until that period is over before trying again.

If you see an error message that your chosen username is not available or breaks the rules, try a different name. Usernames cannot contain certain words, spaces, or special characters. If you are locked out of your Epic Games account or cannot remember your password, go to www.epicgames.com and click "Forgot Password" to reset it. You will receive an email with instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Fortnite username change my Nintendo Switch username?

No. Your Fortnite username and Nintendo Switch username are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other. Your Switch username is what appears on your console and in Nintendo's system, while your Fortnite username is only what appears in Fortnite.

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

No. Epic Games allows you to change your display name once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, the system will show you the date when you can change it next.

What if I do not remember the email or password for my Epic Games account?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Email". Follow the prompts to reset your password or recover your email address. You will receive instructions in the email associated with your account.

Does my new Fortnite username show up on other platforms if I play on multiple devices?

Yes. Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not to your Switch. If you play Fortnite on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or mobile using the same Epic Games account, your new username will appear on all of those platforms when ready.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days between changes. If you change your username and then want to go back to the old one, you can do so after the 30-day waiting period is over, as long as nobody else has claimed that name in the meantime.