If someone may have accessed your Epic Games account, secure the email account tied to it first, recover or reset Epic access through Epic’s official sign-in flow, then turn two-factor authentication (2FA) back on and review linked accounts. If the computer or phone you used may be compromised, make password changes from a different trusted computer. Epic account recovery does not clean or verify the device.
What to do first
- Secure the email account associated with Epic. If you can still access it, change its password to a unique one and enable its 2FA. If you have lost access, use the email provider’s recovery process before relying on email-based Epic verification. Epic says access to the account’s email is important for securing the Epic account. See Epic’s instructions for a compromised account.
- Recover or reset Epic access. Use Epic’s official sign-in flow and choose “Trouble signing in?” or the account recovery option presented. Complete the verification prompts and create a password you have not used on another service. Epic recommends unique passwords and suggests a password manager as an option for creating and storing them; see its account security guidance.
- Use an official recovery request if self-service fails. If you cannot sign in or restore the account email to an address you control, submit an account recovery request through Epic Player Support’s compromised-account flow. Epic says its team will verify your identity and help with access; the outcome depends on verification. Avoid third-party account-recovery services.
- After regaining access, harden the account. Reset the Epic password if you have not already done so, re-enable 2FA, and inspect the accounts linked to Epic. Epic’s post-recovery guidance is available at What do I do after my Epic Games account has been recovered?
- Secure other connected identities. Use unique passwords and 2FA for the email account and any linked social or console accounts. Epic notes that account security also depends on the security of linked accounts.
Choose the recovery route that fits your situation
You still control the email address on the Epic account
Start Epic’s recovery flow, complete the verification prompts sent or presented there, and set a new unique password. Keep control of the mailbox while doing this; anyone who can access it may be able to interfere with email-based recovery.
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You lost access to the email account
Try to recover the mailbox through its provider first. Epic’s recovery flow includes a lost-email route and may ask for additional information. If you still cannot access the Epic account, submit the official recovery request rather than repeatedly trying unrelated sign-ins. Start with Epic’s account recovery instructions.
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If you can sign in with a linked console or social account, that may help you reach the Epic account, but it does not restore control of an email address that someone else changed. Request account recovery through Epic and explain that the account email is no longer yours. Do not treat a successful linked sign-in as proof that the account is secure.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
You cannot use your usual 2FA method
Epic’s 2FA lockout guidance describes possible alternate verification, including email verification or saved backup codes for authenticator setups. Available prompts can change, so follow the current options shown by Epic rather than assuming a particular method will be offered. Once you are back in, enable 2FA again.
You suspect the device itself was compromised
Do not enter new passwords on a device you believe may be monitored or infected. CISA’s general personal-device guidance recommends changing passwords for services used on a potentially compromised device from a different computer you control. Update operating systems and applications, and enable the device’s built-in antivirus and anti-malware protections. Epic account recovery does not establish that the device is clean. See CISA’s personal-device guidance.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Turn 2FA back on—and understand its limits
Epic lists authenticator apps, SMS, and email as 2FA methods, and recommends authenticator apps. Epic Games Player Support says, “Using an authenticator app provides the strongest protection.” That is Epic’s recommendation, not a comparative product test. You can review its current options in Securing your Epic Games account.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAs general guidance, CISA explains that multi-factor authentication adds a verification factor and that methods do not offer equal protection; its archived “More than a Password” page favors phishing-resistant MFA where a service supports it, while noting that any MFA is better than none. The Epic account guidance cited here does not establish hardware security-key support for this account flow, so do not assume a physical key is a compatible Epic sign-in option. See CISA’s “More than a Password”.
Rank #3
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Check what is connected to the Epic account
Once you can access account settings, review the linked accounts and remove or address any connection you do not recognize. Epic lists PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Facebook, and Google among examples of linked sign-in routes. Secure any linked identity you keep using with its own unique password and 2FA; use the relevant provider’s official support if you cannot control it. Epic explains account sign-in options in What is Epic Games Account sign-in?
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to contact Epic Support
Contact Epic through its official support flow if self-service recovery fails, the account email was changed, you see unknown linked accounts, unusual activity continues, or Epic will not let you make security changes. Epic’s process may request information to verify that you own the account; provide it only through Epic’s official pages. Start at My Epic account was compromised and I cannot access it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
