When you hear down the grapevine about a popular free game and want to try it without actually committing to it, your first instinct will probably be to make a very silly username that nobody in their right mind would actually use. Of course, if you decide to commit to the game, you might not want to use that name anymore. Luckily, at least in the case of Fortnite, it’s a simple process to remedy your little mistake. Here’s how to change your username in Fortnite.
Your display name while playing Fortnite is partially dependent on the platform you’re playing the game on. If you’re playing it on a mobile device or home computer, your display name will just be whatever you set as your account name on your Epic Games account. While you can’t change your account name, you can change the display name for games you play through your Epic account.
How to Change your Username in Fortnite
To change your username in Fortnite, follow these steps:
- Go to your account settings within the Epic Games app/platform and look for DISPLAY NAME under the General tab.
- Type whatever you’d like to go by in the box, and click SAVE CHANGES.
This is a free service, though once you change your name, you’ll have to stick with that name for at least two weeks before you can change it again, so be sure to make it something you’re cool with keeping for a while.
It’s a different story, on the other hand, if you’re playing Fortnite on a console. The easiest console to change your name on is the Nintendo Switch, as it uses the same Epic Games account as on mobile and PC, and you can change it in the exact same way.
If you’re playing on a PlayStation or Xbox console, though, your display name will always be your PSN name or Xbox Gamertag, respectively. Epic doesn’t have any control over those — you can only change them through your PSN or Xbox Live settings. And, if you change them there, it’ll change across all of your games, not just Fortnite. Also, if you’ve changed your name at least once previously, you’ll have to pay a name change fee.
If, when you first launched Fortnite on your console of choice, you chose to start playing immediately without creating your Epic Games account, you will need to upgrade to a full Epic Games account in order to create a display name. Instructions on how to accomplish that, in addition to changing your online ID on either PSN or Xbox will be below.
To upgrade a nameless Epic Games account to a full Epic Games account, follow these steps:
- Go to the Epic Games website and verify that you are signed out.
- Click SIGN IN.
- Click the icon for your console or platform of choice. You will be redirected to that platform’s website to sign in with your respective credentials.
- If the sign-in process is successful, you will be returned to Epic Games, at which point you’ll need to complete all the required fields, then click SAVE CHANGES.
To change your online ID on the PlayStation Network, follow these steps:
- Go to SETTINGS.
- Select ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT.
- Click ACCOUNT INFORMATION > PROFILE > ONLINE ID.
- Type whatever you’d like to go by in the box, and follow on-screen prompts to save the changes.
- You will be signed out of all devices, so sign in again with the new information.
To change your Xbox Gamertag, follow these steps:
- Press the XBOX button.
- Select MY PROFILE > CUSTOMIZE PROFILE.
- Type whatever you’d like to go by in the box, and follow on-screen prompts to save the changes.
Now, it’s time for your brand new ID to bust some heads on Fortnite Island. Happy Hunting!
