How to Use Sidekick Emotes in Fortnite: Complete Guide

Sidekicks in Fortnite are cosmetic companions that trail behind your character during matches, adding flair without changing gameplay or giving any competitive advantage. You can use them across modes like Battle Royale, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival, where they act more like expressive pets than gameplay tools. Sidekicks also come with their own progression system, letting you earn Sidekick Points just by playing while one is equipped, which then unlocks extra cosmetics such as styles, animations, and emotes for your companion. One of the most fun parts of this system is Sidekick emotes, which trigger unique reactions and animations from your Sidekick while you’re in-game. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to equip and use Sidekick emotes in Fortnite, plus how to unlock more of them as you level up your Sidekick.

How to Use Sidekick Emotes in Fortnite

Sidekick emotes don’t work like normal Fortnite emotes and won’t show up in your emote wheel. To trigger them, you have to interact with your Sidekick directly in-game. Start by opening your Locker from the main menu, then head to the Sidekicks section and select the Sidekick you’re currently using. From there, enter the customization screen, open the Emotes category, and equip any Sidekick emotes you’ve already unlocked. Once that’s done, jump into a match with your Sidekick active. During the game, walk up close to your Sidekick and face it until an interaction prompt appears, then press the interact button. Your Sidekick will immediately perform its special animation. After it starts emoting, you can use your own character emotes to dance or react alongside it. These interactions are purely visual and meant for fun, adding extra personality to your matches without changing gameplay or giving any advantage.

How to Get More Sidekick Emotes in Fortnite

Unlocking additional Sidekick emotes in Fortnite is all about playing the game with your companion equipped and letting the progression system do the work. Every Sidekick comes with its own reward path that includes cosmetic items like outfits, accessories, reactions, and a unique emote at the end of the track. There are no special missions or side quests required. Simply equip your Sidekick in the Locker before you queue into a match, then play normally to earn Sidekick Points in the background. You can track how close you are to the next reward by opening the Quests menu and scrolling down to the Sidekicks section, where your current progress is displayed. Once you’ve earned enough points, claim the emote reward and head back to the Sidekicks tab in your Locker to equip it. Sidekick Points build up faster the longer you stay alive in matches, the more XP you earn, and the more accolades or eliminations you get, making consistent play the quickest way to unlock every emote.

FAQs

Can Sidekick emotes be used in all Fortnite modes?

Yes, Sidekick emotes work anywhere Sidekicks are supported, including Battle Royale, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival, as long as your Sidekick is equipped before the match.

Why can’t I use Sidekick emotes from the emote wheel?

Sidekick emotes are triggered through interaction, not the emote wheel. You need to walk up to your Sidekick in-game and use the interact prompt for the emote to activate.

Do Sidekick emotes affect gameplay or give advantages?

No, Sidekick emotes are purely cosmetic. They don’t impact movement, combat, visibility, or XP gains in any way.

Are Sidekick emotes shared between different Sidekicks?

No, each Sidekick has its own progression track and unique emote. Unlocking an emote for one Sidekick won’t make it available for others.

Conclusion

Using Sidekick emotes in Fortnite is a simple but fun way to add more personality to your matches once you know how the system works. By equipping your Sidekick, unlocking emotes through Sidekick Points, and interacting with your companion in-game, you can trigger unique animations that make your gameplay feel more alive without affecting performance. Since emotes are tied to progression rather than challenges or purchases, they reward consistent play and exploration across different modes. Whether you’re dancing alongside your Sidekick in Battle Royale or showing off in LEGO Fortnite, Sidekick emotes are a small feature that adds a lot of charm to the overall Fortnite experience.