Fortnite usernames change through Epic Games, not through PlayStation

Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not your PlayStation Network account. This means you cannot change it in the PS5 settings menu — you have to log into Epic Games online and change it there. Once you do, the new name appears in Fortnite on your PS5 the next time you launch the game.

The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing. You can change your username once every 30 days, and Epic Games does not restrict what you choose as long as it does not contain profanity or impersonate another player.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are managed by Epic Games, so you change them on the Epic Games website, not in PS5 settings.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready in the game.
  • Your PlayStation Network username stays the same — only your Fortnite display name changes.
  • If you forget your Epic Games password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Epic Games login page to reset it before you start.

Step-by-step: changing your Fortnite username

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for the Epic Games account linked to your PS5. If you are not sure which account is linked, check your PS5: go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Connected Services, and look for Epic Games.

Once you are signed in, click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side, click General. You will see a field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new username. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is taken or contains words they do not allow. If it is available, click Save. The change takes effect right away. The next time you launch Fortnite on your PS5, you will see the new name in the lobby and in-game.

What happens to your old username

Your old Fortnite username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. You cannot reclaim it later, so choose carefully if you have built a reputation under your current name. Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list — the change does not break those connections.

Your PlayStation Network username does not change. If your PSN is different from your Fortnite name, other PS5 players will see your PSN when you play with them, not your Fortnite username. Only people in Fortnite itself will see your new Fortnite name.

If you cannot change your username

The most common reason you cannot change your username is that you changed it within the last 30 days. Epic Games enforces a 30-day cooldown between changes. If you are within that window, the Display Name field will show a message telling you when you can change it again.

If the name you want is taken, try adding numbers or underscores. Epic Games allows most special characters except spaces. If you see an error message that says your account is not may be able to access to change its display name, your account may be too new — Epic Games sometimes requires accounts to be at least a few days old before allowing a name change.

Troubleshooting: the new name does not appear in-game

If you changed your username on the Epic Games website but still see the old name in Fortnite, close the game completely and restart your PS5. Do not just go back to the home screen — fully power down the console and turn it back on. This clears the cached version of your account information.

If the old name persists after a restart, sign out of your Epic Games account on the PS5 and sign back in. Go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Connected Services, find Epic Games, and select Disconnect. Then reconnect by launching Fortnite and signing in again.

Changing your username on other platforms

If you play Fortnite on PC, mobile, or Nintendo Switch as well as PS5, the same Epic Games account controls your username across all platforms. Changing your display name on the Epic Games website changes it everywhere — you do not have to change it separately on each device.

This is useful if you want consistency, but it also means you cannot have different usernames on different platforms. If you want a different name for console play than for PC play, you would need to create a separate Epic Games account and link it to a different PlayStation Network account on your PS5.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. If you change your name, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed. The website will show you the exact date you become may be able to access to change it again.

Will my friends still see me if I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list connection is tied to your Epic Games account, not your username. When you change your display name, you stay in all your friends' lists, and they will see your new name the next time they launch Fortnite.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Go to www.epicgames.com, click Sign In, and then click Forgot Password below the login fields. Enter the email address for your Epic Games account. Epic Games will send you a password reset link. Click the link in the email, create a new password, and then sign in to change your username.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my Fortnite username?

You cannot use spaces, but you can use underscores, hyphens, and most other special characters. Epic Games will reject names that contain profanity or that impersonate real people or celebrities. If your chosen name is rejected, the website will tell you why.

Does changing my Fortnite username affect my PlayStation Network account?

No. Your PSN username stays the same. Only your Fortnite display name changes. Other PS5 players will still see your PSN when you play with them, not your Fortnite username.