So you want to change your Fortnite username? Maybe you created it years ago when "xX_DarkSlayer_Xx" sounded cool. Or maybe you're just tired of teammates butchering your current name in voice chat. Either way, I've been there. Changing my Fortnite username last season was a headache until I figured out the actual process varies wildly depending on your platform. Let's cut through the confusion.
First reality check: Fortnite doesn't actually have traditional usernames. What you see in-game is your Epic Games display name. That's crucial because how to change your Fortnite username depends entirely on how you first created your Epic account. I made this mistake myself - tried changing it through PlayStation settings only to find out that wasn't my primary account.
Heads Up Before We Start
Changing your Fortnite name isn't free on all platforms. Xbox charges $10 for gamertag changes, while PlayStation lets you do one free change then charges $5-$10 after. Only changes made through Epic Games are free. Also, you can only change it once every two weeks - learned that the hard way when I tried fixing my typo immediately!
Requirements for Changing Your Fortnite Username
Before jumping into the steps, make sure you can actually change it. Some accounts have restrictions:
- Account age: Brand new accounts may have a 24-48 hour lock period
- Previous changes: You can't change more than once every 14 days
- Platform limitations: Console accounts might require subscription services (PS Plus/Xbox Live Gold)
- Banned words: Avoid anything offensive or trademarked
| Platform | Cost Per Change | Change Limit | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Games (PC/Mobile) | Free | Every 14 days | Easiest method for all players |
| PlayStation Network | First change free, then $9.99 | Unlimited after payment | Requires PS Plus for online play |
| Xbox Live | $9.99 per change | Unlimited after payment | Xbox Live Gold not required for name changes |
| Nintendo Switch | Free | Every 14 days | Must change through Epic account |
Pro tip: If you originally signed up using PlayStation/Xbox credentials, you MUST change through Epic's website to avoid fees. Your platform username becomes your Epic display name by default, but can be overridden.
Step-by-Step Walkthroughs by Platform
Changing Through Epic Games (PC/Mobile Players)
This is the universal method that works for everyone. Even console players should do this to avoid fees:
1
Visit epicgames.com and log into your account. Can't stress enough - use the exact same login you use in Fortnite. I once wasted 20 minutes because I had multiple Epic accounts.
2
Hover over your display name in top right corner > select "Account"
3
In the General tab, find the "Display Name" box. You'll see your current name with an edit icon (pencil)
4
Type your new name (max 16 characters, no spaces or special characters except underscores)
5
Hit "Confirm" > enter your password when prompted
Your new name should appear in Fortnite immediately. If not, restart the game. This worked instantly when I changed mine last week.
PlayStation Users: Free Method
Console players listen up - you don't need to pay Sony to change how you appear in Fortnite!
1
Ignore PlayStation's settings menu completely. Seriously, don't touch the "Online ID" section unless you want to pay $10.
2
Open Fortnite on your PlayStation > go to Settings (gear icon) > select "Account and Privacy"
3
Choose "Epic Account" > "Sign In or Create" (even if already linked)
4
Log into your Epic account when browser opens
5
Now follow the same Epic Games steps above to modify display name
This detour saves you money but requires accessing Epic's site through your console browser. Bit clunky, but cheaper.
Xbox Gamertag vs. Fortnite Name
Xbox is tricky because changing your actual Gamertag costs money, but your Fortnite display name can be changed separately:
- Option 1 (Free): Change through Epic Games account as shown above
- Option 2 ($9.99): Change via Xbox settings > Profile > My profile > Customize profile > Gamertag
Important: If you change just your Epic display name, Xbox friends will still see your Gamertag elsewhere. Confusing? Yeah, Microsoft doesn't make this clear. When I changed my Epic name but kept my Xbox Gamertag, my squad saw both names depending on the menu.
Why Isn't My Fortnite Username Changing?
After helping dozens of players change their Fortnite username, here are the most common issues:
| Problem | Solution | My Personal Experience |
|---|---|---|
| "Change Not Allowed" error | Wait 14 days from last change | Made this mistake trying to correct "LegenDairy" to "Legendary" too soon |
| Name still appears old in-game | Restart Fortnite completely | Worked immediately after full reboot |
| Special characters not working | Use only letters, numbers, underscores | My friend's "Café" name got rejected |
| Account not verified | Check email for verification link | Had to resend verification after changing email |
| Linked account conflicts | Disconnect/reconnect platforms | Fixed PlayStation override issue |
If you're getting "unavailable name" errors, try adding numbers or underscores. "Ninja" is obviously taken, but "Ninja_327" might work. Took me three tries to get an available name last month.
Fortnite Name Change FAQs
Does changing my Fortnite username reset my stats?
No way! All your progress, skins, and V-Bucks stay intact. Your name is just a label.
Can people see my old username?
Nope, it's completely replaced. Though friends who had you added might notice the change.
Why does my console username still appear sometimes?
If you didn't set an Epic display name, Fortnite defaults to your platform ID. Fix it by setting an Epic name as explained earlier.
Can I use spaces in my Fortnite name?
Sadly no. Spaces get automatically removed. Use underscores like "Storm_Chaser" instead.
Will changing my name get me banned?
Only if you use offensive terms. Epic will automatically revert inappropriate names and may issue warnings.
Choosing a Smart Fortnite Username
Since you can only change your Fortnite username every two weeks, choose wisely. Here's what I've learned from bad choices:
- Avoid cringy trends: Don't name yourself after current streamers unless you want "Ninja420" to age like milk
- Pronunciation matters: Friends will struggle with "Xæ12-7" in voice chat
- Check availability FIRST: Epic's system won't show alternatives when names are taken
- Remember character limit: 16 max including underscores
Last suggestion? Make it something you won't hate seeing for hundreds of matches. My first name "DefaultDanceKing" got old fast.
Pro tip: Before finalizing, search your desired name on YouTube/Twitch. You don't want to accidentally impersonate a content creator. Happened to a buddy who named himself "SypherPK" and got constant friend requests from confused kids.
Special Cases and Tricky Situations
Child Accounts and Parental Controls
If your account is under a parent's email, you'll need their permission to change names:
- Parent must log into Epic account
- Go to Parent Dashboard > select child's profile
- Adjust "Display Name Permissions"
- Save changes before child attempts modification
My nephew ran into this - took three days for his mom to check her email permissions.
Cross-Platform Name Conflicts
Say you play on both Switch and Xbox. Important:
- Your Epic display name overrides individual platform names
- Changing one platform name DOESN'T automatically update others
- Always manage through Epic account for consistency
This unified approach solved my name appearing differently on PC versus Xbox.
What Happens After Changing Your Fortnite Username?
Expect some temporary weirdness:
- Friends might not recognize you immediately
- Leaderboards could take 24 hours to update
- Replays saved before change will show old name
- Tournament history retains old name
But after about a day, everything syncs up. Just give it time.
Final Reality Check
Honestly, Epic doesn't make this process intuitive. Their support page about how to change your Fortnite username buries the platform-specific details. That's why so many players accidentally pay Sony or Microsoft unnecessarily. The core truth? Connecting to your Epic account directly solves 90% of issues.
Changing my name from "NoobMaster69" took six minutes once I stopped trying console settings. You'll get there. Just remember the golden rule: Epic account first, platform settings last.
Got stuck? Check Epic's status page at status.epicgames.com - sometimes their systems have outages preventing changes. Last Tuesday I saw 200+ reports of name changes failing during server maintenance. Wait it out instead of rage-quitting.
Still looking for info on how to change your Fortnite username? Drop your specific situation in the comments below and I'll help troubleshoot based on real platform experience.