Fortnite uses your Epic Games account name, not your PlayStation username

When you play Fortnite on PS5, the name that appears in-game comes from your Epic Games account, not from your PlayStation Network (PSN) profile. This means changing your PSN username will not change how you appear to other Fortnite players. To change the name people see in Fortnite matches, you need to log into your Epic Games account and change it there instead.

Your Epic Games account is what links your PS5 to Fortnite. Even if you created your Epic account through PlayStation, it is a separate account with its own username settings. The good news is that Epic Games lets you change your username once per year for free, and the process takes just a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite displays your Epic Games username in-game, not your PlayStation Network name, so you must change it through Epic's website.
  • You can change your Epic Games username once every 365 days at no cost through your account settings.
  • Visit www.epicgames.com, sign in with your Epic Games credentials, and go to Account Settings to find the username field.
  • If you have changed your username within the past year, you will need to wait until the 365-day period passes before changing it again.

Sign into your Epic Games account on a computer or phone

Go to www.epicgames.com in a web browser on your computer or phone. In the top right corner, click the profile icon or the "Sign In" button if you are not already logged in. Enter the email address and password for your Epic Games account. If you created your Epic account through PlayStation, use the email address you registered with Epic, not your PSN username.

If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" on the sign-in screen and follow the email recovery steps. Epic will send a link to the email address on file. Once you are signed in, you should see your profile name or icon in the top right corner of the website.

Navigate to Account Settings and find the username field

After signing in, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with several options. Click on "General" to open your basic account information.

Scroll down until you see the "Display Name" field. This is the username that appears in Fortnite and other Epic Games titles. Next to it, you will see either an "Edit" button or a pencil icon. Click that to open the editing window.

Enter your new username and confirm the change

A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new username. Epic Games usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed.

After you type the new name, Epic will check whether it is available. If the name is already taken, you will see a message saying so, and you will need to choose a different one. Once you find an available name you like, click the "Save" or "Confirm" button to lock in the change. The new username will appear in Fortnite the next time you launch the game.

What happens if you have already changed your username recently

Epic Games allows one free username change every 365 days. If you have changed your username within the past year, the "Edit" button next to your Display Name will be grayed out or will show a message saying you cannot change it yet. The message will tell you when you will be able to change it again.

If you need to change your username before the 365-day period is up, you can purchase a username change for a small fee through the same Account Settings page. However, most players wait for the free annual change rather than pay for an when ready one.

Your new username appears in Fortnite after you restart the game

Once you have saved your new username on the Epic Games website, close Fortnite completely on your PS5 if it is running. Then launch Fortnite again. The game will sync with your Epic Games account, and your new username will display in the lobby, in matches, and on your profile.

Other players will see your new name in the game when ready. Your friends list and any previous match history will remain the same — only the display name changes. If you are in the middle of a match when you change your username, you may need to restart the game for the change to show up in that session.

Changing your PSN username does not affect Fortnite

If you have also changed your PlayStation Network username through your PS5 settings, that change is separate from your Fortnite name. Your PSN username is what appears on your PlayStation profile and in PlayStation's party chat and friend system. Fortnite does not use that name — it only uses your Epic Games username.

You can have a different name on PlayStation and a different name in Fortnite, and this is actually common. Some players keep their PSN name for PlayStation games and use a different Epic Games name for Fortnite and other Epic titles. Both changes are independent of each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can change it once per year for free. If you want to change it again before 365 days have passed, Epic Games offers a paid username change option. The cost varies by region but is typically a small fee. Most players use their one free change per year and wait if they want to change again.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Epic will tell you when ready when you try to save it. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding numbers, hyphens, or underscores to make your preferred name unique. Usernames are case-insensitive, so "FortnitePlayer" and "fortnitelayer" are treated as the same name.

Will changing my Epic Games username affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics are tied to your Epic Games account, not to your username. Changing the display name does not touch any of your items or currency. Everything stays with your account.

Do I need to change my username on PS5 settings too?

No. Your PlayStation Network username and your Epic Games username are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want a different name in Fortnite, you only need to change your Epic Games username through the Epic website.

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

The change takes effect on the Epic Games website when ready after you save it. In Fortnite, your new name will appear after you close and restart the game. If you are already in a match, you may need to finish the match and restart the game to see the change in-game.