The secret way to trade Fortnite skins in-game

Ivan Frigato Published July 15, 2024

Though there isn’t an Epics Games-approved way to trade Fortnite skins, players have gotten creative to swap for outfits they want.

Fortnite players have been asking for a way to trade outfits and other items for nearly as long as the game has been around. Epic Games so far, however, hasn’t heeded the call. Thus, players have had to get creative in figuring out how to get all of the skins they want without spending thousands in real-world currency.

Here’s how to trade Fortnite skins in-game without having to lend your friends a credit card.

Dear EPIC, please make a Social Space and TRADING OUTPOST.
byu/Ol_Excalibur inFORTnITE

Dropping items as a way to trade Fortnite skins

The best way to trade Fortnite skins is by mutually agreeing to swap and then dropping the outfit for the other player to pick up.

Players can use the in-game chat feature to talk with other players and sometimes find skins that they might be looking for. Then, upon meeting in the chosen location, each can drop the skin from their inventory and go to pick up the other one. The biggest caveat, of course, is that not all trading partners are trustworthy. But for many players, it’s better to take the chance than either never have the skin or break the bank.

One of the other popular ways to get skins is by buying another user’s account. Plenty of people on Reddit, X, and other platforms advertise their Fortnite accounts with tens or hundreds of skins. It’s not the same as having the skin on the player’s main account, but at least they’ll have it.

Why doesn’t Epic Games support trading in Fortnite?

Epic Games makes a lot of money from skin sales, especially from limited releases, and currently has no reason to add trading skins   to Fortnite.

From game to game, trading policies change but mainly stay minimal. Counter-Strike 2 is notable for allowing players to truly trade skins, but it is the exception rather than the rule. Some Fortnite skins were available for battle passes and never became available in the shop, while others may appear so infrequently in the shop that they’re nearly impossible to grab. It’s the fear of missing out on getting a limited-time skin that encourages many players to spring for it. This spurs sales and Epic Games’ profit margins.

Rumors have been floating around for years that Epic Games might finally change its mind on the skin trading policy. None of them seem to have come to fruition so far. Until that day arrives, players will find their best chances to trade Fortnite skins in finding a reliable partner with the outfit they want.