Your Fortnite name changes separately from your Xbox username

Your Epic Games account — the one that runs Fortnite — has its own username that is completely separate from your Xbox gamertag. Changing your Xbox username does not change your Fortnite name, and you cannot change your Fortnite username through Xbox settings. You have to go into Epic Games directly, either through their website or through the Fortnite game itself on your console.

The process takes about five minutes and does not affect your progress, cosmetics, or anything else in your account. You can change your Fortnite username once every 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not in Xbox, so you must change it through Epic's website or the Fortnite game menu.
  • You need to know the email address and password for your Epic Games account before you start.
  • Fortnite allows one username change every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all platforms.
  • If you cannot remember your Epic Games password, you can reset it through the Epic Games website before you attempt the change.

Change your username through the Epic Games website

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the email and password for your Epic Games account. Click your account name in the top right corner, then 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 your current display name. Type your new username in the box that appears. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it breaks their naming rules (no profanity, no impersonation of real people or brands). If the name is available, click Save. The change takes effect right away.

If you do not remember your Epic Games password, click Forgot Password on the Epic Games sign-in page. Enter your email address, and Epic will send you a reset link. Check your email (including spam folders) and follow the link to create a new password. Then return to the website and sign in with your new password.

Change your username in the Fortnite game on Xbox

Launch Fortnite on your Xbox. From the main menu, go to the Settings icon (the gear symbol in the top right). Select Account. You will see an option for Display Name or Username — the exact wording depends on your game version.

Click on the current name, type your new username, and confirm the change. The game will check whether the name is available. If it is, the change saves when ready and you will see your new name the next time you load into a match or return to the lobby.

If the menu option does not appear or you cannot find the account settings, your game may need an update. Check your Xbox for pending Fortnite updates and install them before trying again.

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. Your account history, V-Bucks, skins, and battle pass progress all stay with your account regardless of what name you use.

If you play Fortnite on other platforms — PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, or mobile — your new username will show up on all of them when ready. Your Epic Games account is the same across every platform.

If your username change does not work

If you see an error message when you try to save a new username, the most common reasons are: the name is already taken, the name contains banned words or symbols, you have already changed your username within the last 30 days, or your internet connection dropped during the save. Try a different username, wait 30 days if you recently changed it, or check your connection and try again.

If you are still stuck, sign out of Fortnite completely on your Xbox, restart the game, and attempt the change again. Sometimes a fresh login fixes temporary glitches. If the problem persists after that, you can contact Epic Games support through their website — go to www.epicgames.com/help and select the Fortnite category.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you try to change it again before that time is up, the system will tell you when you can make your next change. The timer resets from the date you made your most recent change.

Will changing my Fortnite username affect my friends list?

Your friends will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. They do not need to re-add you, and you do not need to re-add them. The change is automatic across the entire game.

What if someone else takes the username I want before I can change mine?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If someone takes the name you want, you will have to choose a different one. You can try adding numbers or underscores to a similar name, or pick something entirely different.

Do I need to change my Xbox gamertag to match my Fortnite username?

No. Your Xbox gamertag and Fortnite username are completely separate. You can keep them different, or you can change your Xbox gamertag separately if you want them to match. The two systems do not talk to each other.