Change Your Fortnite Username Through Epic Games

Your Fortnite username is controlled by Epic Games, not by PlayStation, so you change it through the Epic Games website rather than through your PS4 or PS5 settings. This is the same process whether you play on PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, or mobile — the username belongs to your Epic Games account, and that account is what logs into Fortnite on any device.

The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite. You do not need to restart the game or sign out and back in, though you may see the old name briefly in some menus before the page refreshes.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are managed by Epic Games on their website, not through PlayStation settings.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change shows up when ready in-game.
  • The username you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters and cannot contain spaces or most special characters.
  • If your Epic Games account is not linked to your PlayStation Network account, you will need to link them first before you can change the name.

Link Your PlayStation Account to Epic Games First

Before you can change your Fortnite username, your PlayStation Network account must be connected to your Epic Games account. If you created your Fortnite account on PlayStation and have never linked it elsewhere, the accounts are already connected. If you are unsure, you can check by visiting the Epic Games website and signing in.

To link them if they are not already connected, go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with your Epic Games username and password. Click your account name in the top right corner, then select Account. Choose Connections from the left menu. Find PlayStation Network in the list and click Connect. You will be taken to a PlayStation sign-in page where you enter your PlayStation Network username and password. After you sign in, the accounts are linked and you can proceed to change your username.

Change Your Username on the Epic Games Website

Once your accounts are linked, go to www.epicgames.com and sign in. Click your account name in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side menu, click General. You will see a field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username.

Click the pencil icon next to your current display name to edit it. Type your new username into the field. The name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or most other special characters. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or breaks the rules.

After you enter a name that works, click Save. The change takes effect right away. You will see the new name the next time you load Fortnite on your PlayStation, though it may take a few minutes to appear in all menus and in other players' friend lists.

What Happens If You Change Your Mind

You can change your Fortnite username once every 30 days. If you change it today, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed. Epic Games counts this from the date you made the change, not from the calendar month.

If you change your username and when ready regret it, you do have a small window to undo it. Within a few minutes of making the change, you can go back to the same Display Name field and change it again — this counts as a second change and will lock you out for another 30 days. After that window closes, you are stuck with the new name until the 30-day timer expires.

Usernames That Will Not Work

Epic Games blocks certain usernames for safety and content reasons. You cannot use a name that impersonates a real person, contains hate speech, or mimics an Epic Games employee or moderator. Names that are purely numbers, or that are just variations of banned words, will also be rejected.

If you see a message that your chosen name is not available, it either means someone else already has it, or Epic Games has blocked it. Try a different combination. Adding numbers or underscores to a name you like often makes it unique enough to pass.

Your Fortnite Username Is Different From Your PlayStation Username

Changing your Fortnite username does not change your PlayStation Network username, and changing your PlayStation username does not change your Fortnite username. They are separate accounts managed by different companies. Your PlayStation friends will still see your PlayStation username in their friends list, but in Fortnite they will see your Epic Games display name.

This separation can be confusing, but it means you can have a professional PlayStation username and a different gaming username in Fortnite without affecting each other. If you want to change your actual PlayStation Network username as well, that is a separate process done through PlayStation settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my Fortnite username if I change my PlayStation username?

No. Your Fortnite username and PlayStation username are independent. Changing one does not affect the other. Your PlayStation friends see your PlayStation username, but Fortnite players see your Epic Games display name.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make it unique. For example, if "Shadow" is taken, you could try "Shadow_2024" or "Shadow-Pro". Epic Games will tell you when ready whether a name is available when you type it in.

How long does it take for my new Fortnite username to show up?

The change takes effect when ready on the Epic Games website. In Fortnite itself, you will usually see the new name within a few minutes. It may take longer to appear in other players' friend lists or in leaderboards, but that is just a display delay.

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

You can change it once every 30 days. If you change it again before 30 days have passed, Epic Games will not let you. The timer resets 30 days from the date you made the last change.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Below the password field, click Forgot your password? Enter the email address connected to your Epic Games account. Epic Games will send you a link to reset your password. Check your email, click the link, and create a new password.