If you want to enjoy everything Fortnite has to offer, securing your Epic Games account is absolutely essential. By enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), you not only improve your account’s security, but also gain full access to all in-game features, including competitive events and special rewards.
2FA is quickly becoming the gold standard for online account protection, offering a vital extra step beyond just having a strong password. Epic Games actively encourages players to activate 2FA, and they now even recommend multi-factor authentication (MFA) to bolster security even further.
Enabling 2FA isn’t just for peace of mind, it’s a requirement if you plan to participate in Fortnite esports tournaments. Without it, you’ll be locked out of competitions and miss out on exclusive features. Activating 2FA also helps ensure that your account, and all the skins, V-Bucks, and cosmetics tied to it, stays protected. If you want to get the most from Fortnite, setting up 2FA is a must.
Free 2FA Reward; Boogie Down Emote
Epic Games rewards players who secure their accounts. Once you turn on 2FA for Fortnite, you’ll receive the Boogie Down emote for free. It’s a small but fun incentive to encourage better account safety.
How to Set Up 2FA in Fortnite
Turning on 2FA is quick and easy. It provides a backup in case you forget your password or lose access to your account. Here’s how to do it:
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Go to the Epic Games website.
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Sign in to your account.
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Click your username and go to Account settings.
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Navigate to the Password & Security tab.
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Choose your preferred method of 2FA:
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Authenticator App: Use apps like Google Authenticator to generate codes.
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SMS Authentication: Receive a security code via text message.
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Email Authentication: Get your code through your email address.
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Confirm your chosen method and test it to ensure it works.
You only need to pick the method that suits you best. Whether it’s your phone, an app, or email, the process is the same and takes just a few minutes.
Which 2FA Method Should You Choose?
Each method has its pros and cons. SMS links your security to your phone number, while email depends on consistent access to your inbox. Authenticator apps are tied to your device but offer greater flexibility if your number or email changes. The best option is whichever one you’re confident you’ll always have access to.
If you’re going a step further with multi-factor authentication, you can even use more than one method for added protection.
Why 2FA is Required for Fortnite Tournaments
While security is the main reason to enable 2FA, many players will need it to compete in Fortnite tournaments. From Cash Cups to FNCS, 2FA is a mandatory requirement to participate. Epic needs to ensure that only verified users are eligible to win prizes, reducing the risk of fraud or account tampering.
Without 2FA enabled, you won’t be able to play in any official Fortnite competitive events. Considering the size of prize pools in some tournaments, this level of security is critical not just for players, but for Epic as well.
What Is Multi-Factor Authentication?
As security standards evolve, Epic is now promoting multi-factor authentication (MFA). While 2FA refers to two layers of account protection, MFA can include two or more verification methods. In essence, if you’ve already set up 2FA, you’ve completed the base level of MFA.
Adding another layer, such as both SMS and an authenticator app, can make your account even more secure, especially if you’ve collected rare cosmetics or V-Bucks over the years.
Additional Benefits of Enabling 2FA in Fortnite
Besides tournament access and account protection, enabling 2FA also unlocks a few other features:
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Gifting: Want to send skins or items to friends? You’ll need 2FA enabled first.
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Account recovery: Lose access? 2FA adds a safety net to help you recover your profile.
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Preventing unauthorized logins: With 2FA in place, someone else would need your code in addition to your password.
While enabling 2FA won’t make you better at the game or optimize your Fortnite settings like the pros, it will help ensure your account is safe, giving you the peace of mind to focus on gameplay.
