Fortnite keeps finding new ways to reward long-time players, and the Kyo Sidekick is the latest example. Originally a tech-themed pet back bling from the Chapter 1 Season 9 Battle Pass, Kyo has been upgraded into a full Sidekick that follows you through matches. If you unlocked the original back bling back in the day, the new version is already waiting in your locker.
How do you get the Kyo Sidekick for free?
The free unlock is automatic and requires zero additional effort. Log in to Fortnite on the account that owns the original Kyo pet back bling from Chapter 1 Season 9, and the game grants you the Sidekick immediately. No quests, no challenges, no hoops to jump through.
If the notification doesn't pop up on login, head straight to your locker and filter by Sidekicks. The Kyo Sidekick will be sitting there ready to equip.
Tier 28 back bling origin
The original Kyo back bling was a tier 28 reward in the Chapter 1 Season 9 Battle Pass. If you grinded that pass far enough to hit tier 28, you've already done the work.
What if you don't own the original Kyo back bling?
You're not locked out permanently. Epic Games is adding the Kyo Sidekick to the Item Shop, where it will be purchasable for 1,200 V-Bucks. The exact date hasn't been confirmed yet, but it's coming soon based on Epic's pattern with similar pet-turned-Sidekick releases.
Where can you use the Kyo Sidekick?
Once unlocked or purchased, Kyo works across every major game mode. Equip it before dropping into Battle Royale, Zero Build, or even LEGO Fortnite. Sidekicks in Fortnite follow you throughout a match, making them a visible cosmetic flex regardless of which mode you prefer.
Epic has been running a consistent pattern with these pet upgrades. Kitsune and Empress both received the same treatment before Kyo, converting beloved Chapter 1 back blings into active Sidekick companions. Kyo follows that same formula.
If you're hunting other free cosmetics in Chapter 7 Season 3, there are several active methods worth knowing about. The Fortnite guides collection covers the full range of current unlock methods. For something specific, the John Wick's Dog Sidekick spawn location guide walks through another free Sidekick you can grab right now by finding a cage on the map.
Is the Kyo Sidekick worth getting?
For anyone who owned the original Chapter 1 Season 9 Battle Pass and hit tier 28, this is a no-brainer. The upgrade from a static back bling to an active Sidekick that moves with you during matches is a straight improvement with no downside. Getting it costs nothing and takes about 30 seconds of logging in.
For players who missed Chapter 1 Season 9, the 1,200 V-Buck price puts it in the same bracket as most premium cosmetics in the Item Shop. Whether that's worth it depends on how much the tech-pet aesthetic appeals to you. It's not a limited-time skin with a countdown timer, so there's no pressure to rush the purchase.
Epic has been consistently rewarding OG players with these free Sidekick upgrades, and it's a smart move. If you're also eligible for other recent freebies, check out the Supergirl skin guide and the Yeddy skin unlock guide for more ways to build out your locker without spending V-Bucks.