You can log in with your username, but only if you created an Epic Games account

Fortnite itself does not have a separate login system. When you start the game, you are logging into your Epic Games account, which is the parent company's service that runs Fortnite, the Unreal Engine, and the Epic Games Store. Your Epic Games account has a username, and that is what you enter at the login screen — not a Fortnite-specific username.

If you created your account through a third-party service like PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch Online, or Google, your Epic Games account is linked to that service instead. In that case, you log in through that platform, not through an Epic Games username. The confusion happens because Epic Games lets you link multiple login methods to a single account, so the path you take depends on how you set things up originally.

The short version: if you signed up for Epic Games directly and chose a username, use that username. If you signed up through PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or another platform, log in through that platform instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite login is actually your Epic Games account username, which you create when you first set up your account.
  • If you linked your Epic Games account to PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or another platform, you log in through that platform, not through a username.
  • You can add a username to an account that was created through a platform link, but it is not required to play.
  • If you forgot your username, you can reset it by entering the email address tied to your Epic Games account.
  • On console, you may not see a username field at all — the system logs you in through your console account instead.

How to find your Epic Games username

Your username appears in the top left corner of the Epic Games launcher on PC, or in the Epic Games website after you log in. Go to www.epicgames.com, click your account icon in the top right, and select Account. Under your profile name, you will see your username listed. This is the text you type at the Fortnite login screen on PC.

On console, the login screen usually shows your console account name (your PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Gamertag, or Nintendo Switch profile name) rather than asking for an Epic Games username. The system logs you in through the console account that is linked to your Epic Games account. You do not need to type a username on console unless you are playing on PC or mobile.

What to do if you do not have a username yet

If your Epic Games account was created through a platform link (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Google, or Apple), you may not have set a username. You can add one at any time. Go to www.epicgames.com, log in, click your account icon, and select Account. Look for the Username field and click Create a Display Name. Choose a username that is not already taken, and confirm it.

Once you create a username, you can use it to log into Fortnite on PC. On console, you will still log in through your console account, but your Epic Games username will appear in-game as your display name. Creating a username does not change how you log in on the platform where you play — it just gives you a name that shows up to other players.

Logging in on PC versus console

On PC, the Fortnite launcher asks for your Epic Games username and password. Type your username (the one you see on epicgames.com) and your password, then click Sign In. If you do not remember your username, click Forgot username or password? and enter the email address tied to your account. Epic Games will send you a link to reset it.

On PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, you do not enter a username at the login screen. Instead, you select your console account from the list of profiles on your device. The console then logs you into the Epic Games account that is linked to that console profile. If you have not linked your console account to Epic Games yet, the game will prompt you to do so the first time you launch it.

On mobile (iOS through cloud gaming or Android), you log in with your Epic Games username and password, the same way as on PC.

If you forgot your username or password

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In in the top right. Below the password field, click Forgot username or password? Enter the email address tied to your account. Epic Games will send you an email with a link to reset your username or password, or both. Click the link in the email and follow the steps to create a new one.

If you do not have access to the email address anymore, you will need to contact Epic Games support. Go to www.epicgames.com/help, click Contact Us, and describe your situation. Support can help you regain access to your account, but the process may take several days.

Linking a new login method to your existing account

If you want to log in through a different platform (for example, you created an account with a username but now want to log in through PlayStation), you can link that platform to your existing Epic Games account. Go to www.epicgames.com, log in with your username and password, click your account icon, and select Connections. Find the platform you want to add (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Google, Apple, or Facebook) and click Connect. Follow the prompts to authorize the link.

Once you link a platform, you can log into Fortnite through that platform on the matching device. Your username and password still work on PC and mobile, but on console you will log in through your console account instead. You can have multiple login methods connected to the same Epic Games account.

Why the game asks for a password even though you are already logged into your console

On some consoles, Fortnite may ask you to enter your Epic Games password even though you are already logged into your console account. This happens when your console account is linked to Epic Games but the game needs to confirm your identity. Enter your Epic Games username and password (the same ones you use on PC), and the game will log you in.

If you do not remember your password, click Forgot password? on the login screen and follow the reset process. You will need access to the email address tied to your Epic Games account to reset it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Epic Games username?

Yes. Go to www.epicgames.com, log in, click your account icon, and select Account. Click the pencil icon next to your username and type a new one. You can change it once every 30 days. The new username takes effect when ready and is what you use to log in on PC and mobile.

Do I need a username if I only play on console?

No. If your account is linked to your console, you log in through your console profile and do not need a username. However, creating a username gives you a display name that other players see in-game, which is useful if you want a name different from your console account name.

What if my username is taken?

Epic Games usernames must be unique, so if the one you want is already taken, you will see an error message. Try adding numbers, underscores, or a variation of the name. You can change your username once every 30 days, so if you pick one now and change your mind later, you can pick a different one next month.

Can I log in with my email address instead of my username?

No. Fortnite on PC requires your username, not your email. On console, you log in through your console account instead. If you forgot your username, use the password reset page on epicgames.com to look it up or create a new one.

Why does my username not show up in-game?

If you created your account through a platform link, your in-game display name is your console account name or the name tied to that platform. Your Epic Games username is separate and may not appear in-game. You can change your in-game display name in the Fortnite settings under Account if you want it to be different from your console account name.