You can change your Dead by Daylight username through the game settings, but the process differs depending on whether you play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch
Your Dead by Daylight username is tied to your platform account — Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Switch Online — not to Behaviour Interactive (the game developer) directly. This means changing your in-game name actually means changing your platform account name, which then updates in Dead by Daylight automatically. The steps vary by platform, and some platforms charge a fee for the change while others do not.
The name change takes effect when ready on your platform account. In Dead by Daylight, you may see the old name in cached data or in other players' recent match histories for a few hours, but your profile and new matches will show the updated name right away.
Key Takeaways
- Dead by Daylight usernames are controlled by your platform account (Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Switch Online), not by the game itself.
- Steam and Nintendo Switch Online allow free username changes, while PlayStation Network and Xbox Live may charge a fee depending on your account history.
- The name change is when ready on your platform account but may take a few hours to fully propagate through Dead by Daylight's servers.
- You cannot change your username directly within the Dead by Daylight game client — you must go to your platform's account settings.
How to change your username on Steam
If you play Dead by Daylight on PC through Steam, your in-game name is your Steam profile name. To change it, open Steam on your computer and click your profile name in the top right corner, then select "Profile." On your profile page, click the pencil icon next to your current name and type your new username. Click "Save" when you are done. The change is free and takes effect when ready.
Your new Steam name will appear in Dead by Daylight within minutes. Other players will see the updated name in the lobby, in your profile, and in future match histories. If you want to change your name again, you can do so at any time with no cooldown period.
How to change your username on PlayStation Network
On PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, your Dead by Daylight username is your PSN (PlayStation Network) username. Go to your console's Settings menu, select "Users and Accounts," then "Other," then "Your Profile," and finally "Edit Profile." Select "Change Your Online ID" and enter your new username. PlayStation charges $9.99 USD for the first name change and $4.99 USD for each change after that (prices vary by region).
Your first name change is free if your account is brand new or if you have never changed your PSN username before. After you confirm the change, it takes effect when ready on your console and in Dead by Daylight. The name will appear in lobbies and match histories within a few minutes.
How to change your username on Xbox Live
On Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, your Dead by Daylight username is your Xbox Gamertag. Visit the Xbox website or use the Xbox app on your console to access your account settings. Select "Customize your profile," then "Change your Gamertag." Enter your new name and complete the purchase if required. Xbox charges $9.99 USD for a Gamertag change if you have changed it before; your first change may be free depending on your account age and history.
Once you confirm the change, it updates when ready in Dead by Daylight. You will see the new Gamertag in lobbies, on your profile, and in match records within minutes. If you are unsure whether your first change is free, the Xbox website will show you the cost before you complete the transaction.
How to change your username on Nintendo Switch
On Nintendo Switch, your Dead by Daylight username is your Nintendo Switch Online profile name. Go to System Settings on your console, select "Users," then choose your user account. Select "Profile," then "Nickname," and enter your new username. Nintendo Switch allows free username changes with no limit on how often you can change it.
The new name takes effect when ready on your Switch and in Dead by Daylight. If you play Dead by Daylight on multiple platforms, changing your Switch name will only affect your Switch version — your usernames on Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox remain separate.
What happens to your old username after you change it
Once you change your username on your platform account, no one else can claim your old name when ready. Most platforms hold the old name for a period of time (usually 30 days on PlayStation and Xbox, and indefinitely on Steam) before it becomes available to other players. During this time, you can change back to your old name if you want to.
In Dead by Daylight, your old username will no longer appear on your profile or in new matches. However, match histories and screenshots from before the change will still show your old name, since those records are stored as they were at the time. Other players cannot look up your old name to find your profile — your profile is now associated only with your new name.
Troubleshooting: Your name did not change in Dead by Daylight
If you changed your platform username but Dead by Daylight still shows your old name, try closing and restarting the game. The game client sometimes caches your old name for a few hours. If restarting does not work, sign out of your platform account entirely, then sign back in and launch Dead by Daylight again.
If the old name persists after a full restart, check that you actually changed your platform account name and not just a display name or profile nickname. Some platforms have separate fields for these, and Dead by Daylight reads only the official account username. If you are still unsure, visit your platform's account settings page directly and confirm what your current username is listed as.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Dead by Daylight username without changing my platform account name?
No. Dead by Daylight pulls your username directly from your platform account (Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Switch Online). There is no separate in-game name setting. To change your Dead by Daylight name, you must change your platform account name.
Will changing my username affect my progress, perks, or cosmetics?
No. Your progress, perks, cosmetics, and all other account data remain exactly the same. A username change only updates the name displayed next to your account — it does not reset or alter anything else on your profile.
How long does it take for my new username to show up in Dead by Daylight?
The change is when ready on your platform account. In Dead by Daylight, the new name usually appears within a few minutes in lobbies and on your profile. Match histories and other players' cached data may take a few hours to fully update.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes, as long as your old username has not been claimed by another player. On PlayStation and Xbox, old usernames are held for about 30 days. On Steam and Nintendo Switch, you can change back at any time. Check your platform's account settings to see if your old name is still available.
Do I have to pay to change my username on every platform?
No. Steam and Nintendo Switch allow free, unlimited username changes. PlayStation Network charges $9.99 USD for the first change and $4.99 USD for subsequent changes (though the first change may be free on very new accounts). Xbox Live charges $9.99 USD per change, with the first change sometimes free depending on account history.