Your Fortnite username is separate from your Nintendo Switch username

When you play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch, you are actually logging into an Epic Games account, not using your Switch profile name. This means changing your Switch username will not change how you appear to other Fortnite players. To change what people see when you play Fortnite, you need to change your Epic Games display name through the Epic Games website or the Fortnite app — not through your Switch settings.

Your Epic Games account is what holds your Fortnite progress, V-Bucks, cosmetics, and friends list. Your Switch username is just what appears on your console. They are two separate identities, and Fortnite only cares about the Epic Games one.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite uses your Epic Games display name, not your Nintendo Switch username, so you must change it through Epic Games, not your Switch.
  • You can change your Epic Games display name on the Epic Games website by going to Account Settings and selecting Display Name.
  • Display name changes take effect when ready in Fortnite, but you can only change it once every 30 days.
  • If you do not remember your Epic Games password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Epic Games login page to reset it.

Change your display name on the Epic Games website

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the email and password for the Epic Games account linked to your Nintendo Switch. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page, enter your email, and follow the reset link sent to your inbox.

Once you are signed in, click your account icon in the top right corner and select "Account". On the left side menu, click "General". Under "Display Name", you will see your current name. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new display name (it can be 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters), then click "Save". Your new name will appear in Fortnite the next time you load the game.

What happens if you change your Switch username instead

If you change only your Nintendo Switch profile name, your Fortnite display name stays the same. Other players will still see your old Epic Games name in the game. Your Switch username is only visible on your console — it does not affect how Fortnite identifies you or displays your name in matches and lobbies.

You can change your Switch username as many times as you want without affecting Fortnite, but it will not change what other players see when you play. If you want a new Fortnite name, you must go through Epic Games.

The 30-day waiting period between name changes

Epic Games allows you to change your display name once every 30 days. If you just changed it, the website will show you when you can change it again. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, you will see a message saying "You can change your Display Name again in X days".

This limit applies to all Epic Games accounts, regardless of platform. Whether you play on Switch, PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, the 30-day rule is the same. If you made a mistake with your new name, you will have to wait until the 30 days are up before you can change it again.

Linking your Epic Games account to your Switch if you have not already

If you have never linked your Epic Games account to your Nintendo Switch, you need to do that first. Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in to your account, click your account icon, and select "Connections". Find "Nintendo Network" in the list and click "Connect". You will be taken to a Nintendo login page. Sign in with your Nintendo account, and the two accounts will be linked.

Once linked, any Fortnite progress you make on your Switch will be saved to that Epic Games account. If you later play Fortnite on another device (like a PC or phone) and sign in with the same Epic Games account, you will see the same progress, cosmetics, and friends list.

Why your display name might not change when ready in the game

After you change your display name on the Epic Games website, it usually appears in Fortnite within a few minutes. However, if you are already in a match or in the lobby, you may need to restart Fortnite completely for the change to show. Close the game entirely and reopen it.

Other players may also see your old name for a short time if they are already in a match with you, because the game does not update names mid-match. Once everyone reloads the game, they will see your new name. If your name still has not changed after restarting Fortnite and waiting 10 minutes, sign out of your Epic Games account on the Epic Games website, wait a few minutes, and sign back in.

What you cannot change about your Fortnite identity

Your Epic Games account ID (a long number) cannot be changed. This is what the game actually uses to track you, not your display name. Your display name is just what other players see — you can change it, but your account ID stays the same forever. This is why you can change your name every 30 days without losing your progress or cosmetics.

You also cannot change the email address associated with your Epic Games account if you have linked it to a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox account. If you need to use a different email, you will have to contact Epic Games support, and they may ask you to unlink your console accounts first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite name more than once every 30 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between display name changes on all accounts. If you change your name and want to change it again, you must wait 30 days from the date of your last change. The Epic Games website will tell you exactly when you can change it next.

If I change my display name, will I lose my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics are tied to your Epic Games account ID, not your display name. Changing your name does not affect anything you own or your progress in the game.

What if I forgot which email I used for my Epic Games account?

Check your Nintendo Switch settings. Go to User Settings, select your profile, then "Linked Accounts". You should see your Epic Games account listed there with the email address associated with it. If you still cannot find it, contact Epic Games support through their website.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my Fortnite display name?

No. Display names can only contain letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, underscores, hyphens, and other special characters are not allowed. The name must also be between 3 and 16 characters long.

Will my friends see my new name right away?

Your friends will see your new display name the next time they restart Fortnite or refresh their friends list. If they are already in the game, they may see your old name until they reload. The change takes effect when ready on the Epic Games servers, but the game client may need a moment to catch up.