Change your Fortnite name through the Epic Games website, not through Xbox

Your Fortnite username is separate from your Xbox gamertag. Changing your Xbox name does not change your Fortnite name. Instead, you log into your Epic Games account on a web browser and update it there. This takes about five minutes and costs nothing.

You will need to know the password for the Epic Games account linked to your Xbox. If you do not remember it, you can reset it before you start. Your Fortnite name can be up to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores — but not spaces.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are managed through Epic Games, not through Xbox settings, so you must visit the Epic Games website to change yours.
  • You will need the password to your Epic Games account, which may be different from your Xbox password.
  • The change takes effect when ready, but other players may see your old name in their friends list for a few hours.
  • You can change your Fortnite name once every 30 days, and the name you choose cannot already be taken by another player.
  • If your Epic Games account is not linked to your Xbox, you must link them first before you can change your Fortnite name.

Check that your Epic Games account is linked to your Xbox

Before you change your name, confirm that your Epic Games account is connected to the Xbox account you play on. If they are not linked, you will not be able to change the name that appears in your Fortnite matches.

On your Xbox One, go to Settings, then Account, then Connected apps & experiences. Look for Epic Games in the list. If it shows as connected, you are ready to proceed. If it does not appear or shows as disconnected, select it and follow the prompts to link the accounts.

Go to the Epic Games website and sign in

Open a web browser on any device — your phone, tablet, or computer — and go to www.epicgames.com. In the top right corner, click Sign In. Enter the email address and password for the Epic Games account linked to your Xbox.

If you do not remember your password, click Forgot password? on the sign-in page. Epic Games will send a reset link to your email. Check your inbox and spam folder, click the link, and create a new password. Then return to sign in with the new one.

Navigate to your account settings and find the display name

Once you are signed in, click the account icon in the top right corner — it looks like a small circle with your profile picture or initials. From the dropdown menu, select Account.

On the Account page, click General on the left side. 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 name and confirm the change

Clear the current name and type the new one you want. Remember that it can be up to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is already taken by another player — if it is, you will need to choose a different one.

Once you have entered a name that is available, click Save. Epic Games will ask you to confirm your password one more time for security. Type it in and click Confirm. Your new Fortnite username is now active.

Wait for the change to show up in your game

Your new name will appear in Fortnite as soon as you restart the game on your Xbox One. Other players may see your old name in their friends list for a few hours while Epic Games updates their servers, but your new name will show in matches and in your own profile when ready.

You can change your Fortnite name again after 30 days have passed. If you change your mind within that window, you will have to wait until the 30 days are up before you can pick something else.

What to do if your name change does not work

If you signed in but cannot find the Display Name field, your Epic Games account may not be fully set up. Go back to your Xbox, check the Connected apps section again, and make sure Epic Games shows as connected. If it does not, disconnect it and reconnect it by following the on-screen steps.

If the name you want is taken, Epic Games will show you a message saying so. Try adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. If you see an error message instead of a taken-name warning, wait a few minutes and try again — Epic Games servers occasionally need time to process the request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Fortnite name change my Xbox gamertag?

No. Your Fortnite username and Xbox gamertag are completely separate. You can change one without affecting the other. Your Xbox friends will still see your Xbox gamertag, and Fortnite players will see your Fortnite username.

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

No. Epic Games limits name changes to once every 30 days. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed since your last change, the system will tell you how many days you have left to wait.

What if I forgot the email address for my Epic Games account?

You will need to recover your account through Epic Games' account recovery page. Go to www.epicgames.com, click Sign In, then click Forgot password? and follow the steps. If you cannot remember the email, you may need to contact Epic Games support directly.

Does my Fortnite name have to match my Xbox gamertag?

No. Many players use different names on Fortnite and Xbox. Your Fortnite name is what other players see in the game, while your Xbox gamertag is what they see on Xbox Live. You can make them the same or completely different.

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

Spaces are not allowed. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Some special characters like periods or apostrophes may work, but Epic Games does not officially support them, so stick with the ones listed above.