Wondering why your Epic Games name didn’t update on PlayStation? Learn exactly how to change your Fortnite username on PS5 by updating your PSN Online ID.
Welcome back to the island for Fortnite OG! With the massive wave of players returning for Season X and the recent Chapter 7 Season 4: Override, you might be booting up the game only to be greeted by an old, cringey username you created five years ago.
If you are looking to freshen up your online identity, you probably went straight to the Epic Games website, updated your profile, and loaded up your game—only to realize your old name is still staring back at you.

Do not worry, you aren’t doing anything wrong. The system is just a bit confusing. Your PlayStation 5 actually overrides your Epic Games settings. To effectively change your Fortnite name on PS5, you have to change your PlayStation Network (PSN) Online ID instead.
Here is exactly how to fix the issue and get your new name showing up in your squad lobby.
Why Didn’t My Fortnite Name Change on PS5?
If you are wondering why your fresh new Epic Games display name isn’t showing up on your PlayStation, it all comes down to how different platforms handle your account data.
When you play on a PC, a mobile device, or a Nintendo Switch, the game pulls your identity directly from your Epic Games account settings. However, Sony handles things differently. Your PS5 ties your in-game identity directly to your PlayStation Network account. If you only update your display name on the Epic website, PlayStation will completely ignore it and continue showing your PSN Online ID.
Navigating the Fortnite display name vs console name conflict just means you need to edit the right account.
How to Change Fortnite Username on PS5
To update your Fortnite name on a console, you need to change your actual PSN name. You can do this directly from your console dashboard in just a few minutes.
Here are the steps to change your Fortnite display name on PlayStation 5:
- Navigate to your Settings: Turn on your PS5 and select the gear icon in the top right corner of your home screen.
- Access your Account: Go to Users and Accounts, and then select Account.
- Edit your Profile: Click on Profile, and then select Online ID.
- Choose your new name: Type in your new desired username. The system will automatically check its availability.
- Confirm the change: Follow the on-screen prompts to accept the terms and finalize your PS5 Fortnite name change.
If you aren’t near your console, you can also update your PSN name using the official PlayStation App on your phone or by logging into your Sony account through a web browser.
What to Know Before You Update Your Fortnite Name on Console
Before you pull the trigger on a new PSN Online ID, there are a few important details to keep in mind regarding your PlayStation Network account management:
- Is it free to change your PSN name? Sony gives you your very first name change completely for free. However, any subsequent name changes will cost you a flat fee (usually around $9.99, or $4.99 if you have PlayStation Plus).
- The global effect: Remember that updating your PSN Online ID changes your identity across all PlayStation Network games. Your new name will show up in Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and any other multiplayer games you play on your PS5.
- Your locker is safe: You do not have to worry about losing your hard-earned cosmetics. Changing your name will not erase your V-Bucks, your favorite skins, or your Battle Pass progress.
How to Change Your Epic Games Name on Other Platforms
If you bounce between different devices, you need to know how to adjust your identity outside of the PlayStation ecosystem. The process looks completely different depending on the hardware you are using.
PC, Mac, Mobile, and Nintendo Switch
If you primarily play on a computer, mobile phone, or your Nintendo Switch, your game relies strictly on your central Epic Games account. Updating your name here is a straightforward process through your web browser.
- Visit the Epic Games website: Open your preferred web browser on your phone or computer and head to the official Epic Games homepage.
- Log into your account: Click the profile icon in the top right corner. You can log in using your standard email, or through linked services like Google Sign-In, your Apple ID, or your Nintendo Account.
- Access your settings: Once logged in, hover over your profile icon again and select Account from the drop-down menu.
- Locate your Display Name: You will automatically land on the Account Settings page. Look for the box labeled Display Name at the top of your personal details.
- Edit your name: Click the blue pencil icon right next to your current name.
- Confirm the change: A pop-up window will appear. Type in your new username, type it a second time to confirm, check the box acknowledging the terms, and click Save Changes.
Troubleshooting the Lock Icon If you reach step five and see a Fortnite change name lock icon instead of a blue pencil, you are running into one of two security measures. First, you might need to complete your Epic account verification by checking your inbox and confirming your email address. Second, Epic enforces a strict 14-day cooldown period between name changes. If you updated it recently, you will simply have to wait until the two weeks are up.
How to Change Your Fortnite Name on Xbox
If you or your squadmates are playing on an Xbox Series X or S, you face the exact same console restrictions as PS5 players. Microsoft forces Fortnite to display your Xbox Gamertag rather than your Epic Games name.
To update a Fortnite name on console for Xbox, you must change your Gamertag. Here is how to do it directly from your TV:
- Open the Xbox guide: Press the glowing Xbox button in the center of your controller.
- Navigate to your profile: Scroll right to the Profile & system tab (your gamerpic) and select your current profile.
- Edit your profile: Choose My profile from the menu, and then click on Customize profile.
- Select your Gamertag: Click directly on your current username to open the name change screen.
- Check availability: Type in your fresh new name and press A to see if it is available.
- Confirm your new identity: Once you find a unique name, select Change Gamertag to finalize the process.
Just like PlayStation, Microsoft allows you to change your Gamertag for free the very first time you do it. However, if you have already changed it in the past, you will be charged a standard $9.99 fee through your linked Microsoft payment method.
Wrapping Up
Figuring out how to change your Fortnite username on PS5 can feel like jumping through unnecessary hoops, but once you realize your PlayStation Network ID is calling the shots, it takes less than five minutes to fix. Just pick a name you really like so you don’t have to pay a fee to change it again later!
Did you run into any issues updating your PSN Online ID, or did everything go smoothly? Drop a comment below and let us know what you changed your new Fortnite name to!
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