How to Get Fortnite Old Battle Pass Skins

Fortnite Battle Pass exclusives have been a source of frustration for a lot of players, with many growing fed up with missing out on skins just because they did not play during a specific season or failed to reach a certain level. This has led a lot of players to ask for changes to the Battle Pass exclusivity model, and thankfully, Epic Games has heard the community.

In August 2024, Epic Games announced that it would be shifting its policy on exclusivity moving forward, allowing old Fortnite Battle Pass skins and items to make a return to the game in the Fortnite Item Shop. If you have a Battle Pass you missed out on and want a chance to unlock certain items from it, keep reading to see if your Battle Pass qualifies for this policy change.

Can You Get Old Fortnite Battle Pass Skins?

Yes, you can get certain old Fortnite Battle Pass skins as Epic Games has done away with Battle Pass exclusivity. This means that future skins, emotes, pickaxes, and every other cosmetic featured in a Battle Pass are no longer considered one-time-only rewards. However, there is a catch, as this only applies to Battle Passes from Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 4 onwards.

When Will Fortnite Old Battle Pass Return?

Eligible Fortnite Battle Passes can return 18 months after their expiration date, as this is a mandatory vault period established by Epic Games. Since this policy was first introduced in late 2024, we are now getting close to the window where the first non-exclusive items are eligible for comeback. For example, items from the Absolute Doom season, which ended in November 2024, will be eligible to appear in the Item Shop starting May 2026.

How to Get Old Fortnite Battle Pass Skins

You can buy old Fortnite Battle Pass skins in the Fortnite Item Shop after they complete their waiting period of 18 months. This applies to all cosmetic types, including skins and even loading screens.

When these items return to the game, they will be treated like any other Item Shop cosmetic, being available to purchase via Fortnite V-Bucks. However, returning skins will cost more than the original 950 V-Bucks Battle Pass price that contained dozens of items.

Remember that not every item from a Battle Pass is guaranteed to return, as the developers reserve the right to keep some cosmetics exclusive. Additionally, if Epic decides to keep certain items as “never to return”, they will notify players accordingly.

All Returning Fortnite Battle Passes and Their Release Dates

While the return of these Battle Passes is a major win for all Fortnite players, it is important to remember that not all Passes are eligible to return, and the change is not retroactive. Here is a list of all of the eligible old Fortnite Battle Passes and their earliest release dates:

Any Battle Pass released before Chapter 5 Season 4 (Chapter 1 Season 1 to Chapter 5 Season 3) is still considered exclusive. These Passes were sold under the premise that the items would never return, and the developers intend to keep that promise. However, any season that comes out now, including the upcoming new Fortnite season, Chapter 7 Season 2, will have Battle Pass items that will be eligible for return after 18 months.

Will you be buying skins from old Fortnite Battle Passes when they return to the Item Shop? Tell us in the comments below!