You know that feeling? You’re scrolling through your friends list, or maybe just looking at your own profile, and your username just… screams ‘cringe.’ We’ve all been there. That name that sounded so cool back in the day now makes you want to hide behind a virtual bush. The good news is, Fortnite understands. They’ve made it pretty straightforward to give your in-game persona a much-needed makeover.
It’s worth remembering that this isn't just a Fortnite thing. When you change your 'Epic display name,' it sticks across all games and services that use the Epic Games Store. So, whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’re happy with for the long haul, whether you’re a hardcore 'sweaty' player or just in it for the fun.
Changing Your Name on PC and Mobile
For those of you playing on PC, or even on mobile devices, the process is refreshingly simple and happens right through the Fortnite website. You’ll need your Epic Games account login details, of course. Just head over to the official Fortnite site, sign in, and navigate to your Account settings. You’ll see a little blue pencil icon next to your current Display Name. Click that, type in your shiny new alias, and confirm. Easy peasy. A handy tip: you can only change your name once every two weeks, so you’ve got plenty of time to brainstorm that perfect, embarrassment-free moniker.
Console Players: A Slightly Different Path
If you’re a console gamer, the route to a new name is a little more integrated with your platform’s ecosystem.
PlayStation (PS4 & PS5): On PlayStation, your Fortnite name is tied to your PlayStation Network (PSN) Online ID. To change it, you’ll need to go through your PlayStation Network account settings, either on your console or, more conveniently, via a web browser. Log into your PSN account online, go to your profile, and you’ll find an option to edit your Online ID. Just a heads-up: changing your PSN ID will affect your name in all games that use it. There’s also a fee involved for subsequent changes – around $5 for PS Plus subscribers and $10 for non-subscribers.
Xbox (Series X/S & One): Similar to PlayStation, your Fortnite name on Xbox is linked to your Gamertag. You can change this through your Xbox account settings. On newer consoles, you’ll navigate to your profile, then 'Customize Profile,' and select your Gamertag to edit it. For Xbox One, it’s a similar process involving holding the Xbox button, heading to 'Profile and System,' then 'Gamertag,' and 'Customize Profile.' You’ll always need to check if your desired new Gamertag is available before you can lock it in.
Nintendo Switch: The good news for Switch players is that it’s much like the PC method. Since the Switch relies on Epic Games’ network for in-game names, you can change your username directly through the Epic Games website, just as described for PC users. If you initially linked your Switch to Fortnite without a separate Epic account, you can log in using your Nintendo Account credentials on the Epic Games website to access your profile and make the change.
Does it Cost Anything? And What About My Stuff?
As mentioned, for PlayStation users, there’s a fee for name changes after the first one. For PC, mobile, and Switch players using the Epic Games website directly, changing your display name is generally free. The most important thing to know is that changing your name does not affect your in-game items, like your skins, V-Bucks, or Battle Pass progress. All your hard-earned goodies stay with your account, no matter what you decide to call yourself.
