Your Fortnite name changes separately from your PlayStation name

When you change your PlayStation Network name through your PS5 settings, your Fortnite username does not change automatically. Fortnite uses its own account system — an Epic Games account — which is linked to your PlayStation account but kept separate. This means you need to log into Epic Games directly and change the name there, even though you play Fortnite on your PS5.

The process takes about five minutes and requires access to a computer or phone, because you cannot change your Epic Games username from the PS5 itself. You will need to know the email address or username associated with your Epic Games account, and you may need to verify your identity before the change goes through.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not your PlayStation account, so changing one does not change the other.
  • You must change your Fortnite name through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone — you cannot do it from your PS5.
  • Epic Games limits you to one username change every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • You will need to sign into your Epic Games account with the email address or username you use to log in, plus your password.

Sign into your Epic Games account on a web browser

Go to www.epicgames.com on a computer or phone and click the Sign In button in the top right corner. Enter the email address or username you use to log into Fortnite, then enter your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to enter a code from your authenticator app or email.

If you do not remember which email address is linked to your account, check your PS5: go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Linked Services. You will see your Epic Games account name there. You can also look at any Fortnite purchase receipts in your email — they will show which address is registered to your account.

Navigate to your account settings

Once you are signed in, click your account icon in the top right corner of the Epic Games website. A menu will drop down. Click Account from that menu.

You will land on your account overview page. On the left side, you will see a list of options. Click General to see your username and other basic information.

Change your display name

On the General page, you will see a field labeled Display Name. This is the name that appears to other players in Fortnite. Click the pencil icon next to it, or click directly in the field to edit it.

Type your new username. Fortnite usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. If the name you want is already taken, the system will tell you and you will need to choose something different.

Confirm the change and wait for verification

After you type your new name, click the checkmark or Save button to confirm. Epic Games will send a verification email to the address on your account. Open that email and click the link inside it to confirm the change.

Your new username will be active in Fortnite within a few minutes of you confirming the email. The next time you launch Fortnite on your PS5, you will see your new name in the lobby and in-game. Other players will see the new name when ready.

Remember the 30-day waiting period

Epic Games allows you to change your display name once every 30 days. If you change your name today, you cannot change it again for 30 days from that date. This rule exists to prevent confusion in the game — if names could change constantly, it would be hard for other players to recognize who they are playing with.

If you make a mistake or change your mind, you have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again. There is no way to speed this up or get an exception, so take a moment to make sure you like the name before you confirm it.

What to do if you cannot access your Epic Games account

If you have forgotten your password, go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In, then click Forgot Password below the password field. Epic Games will send a reset link to your email. Click that link, create a new password, and you will be able to sign in again.

If you do not have access to the email address linked to your account, you will need to contact Epic Games support. Go to www.epicgames.com/help and click Contact Us. Describe your situation and provide any information you can about your account — your display name, the email you think is linked to it, or any purchase history. Epic Games support can verify your identity and help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Fortnite name change my PlayStation username?

No. Your Fortnite name and PlayStation name are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want both to match, you would need to change your PlayStation name through your PS5 settings separately.

Can I change my Fortnite username from my PS5?

No. You must change it through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone. The PS5 does not have a way to change your Epic Games account settings.

What if the username I want is already taken?

The Epic Games website will tell you the name is unavailable when you try to save it. You will need to choose a different name. You can try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make a variation of the name you want.

How long does it take for my new Fortnite name to show up in the game?

Once you confirm the verification email from Epic Games, your new name is active within a few minutes. You may need to close and reopen Fortnite on your PS5 to see it, but it will be there.

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

No. Epic Games limits display name changes to once every 30 days. You will have to wait 30 days from your last change before you can change it again.