Nintendo Switch parental controls, step by step

What you need before touching Nintendo Switch settings

• Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app (free, iOS/Android)
• A Nintendo Account for the parent (must be 18+)
• For spending/eShop limits: the child's Nintendo Account in your Nintendo Account family group (child accounts are created from the parent's account)
• Switch 2 GameChat: a Nintendo Switch Online membership, a phone number registered for verification, and an internet connection

Setting up Nintendo Switch controls, step by step

1. Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app and select Sign In/Create Account to sign in with your (18+) Nintendo Account.
2. Note the six-digit registration code the app shows.
3. On the console, go to System Settings > Parental Controls > Parental Controls Settings and choose the option for when you've already downloaded the app.
4. Enter the six-digit registration code, select OK, and confirm the link on both devices.
5. In the app, select Parental Controls (lower-right) and set Play Time Limit, Restricted Features (preset Teen, Child or Young Child, or custom) and the Safelist; tap Save.
6. Switch 2 only: open GameChat in the app to allow GameChat and approve each friend your child may chat with; decide whether video chat may be requested.
7. For purchases: sign in to your Nintendo Account (accounts.nintendo.com), select Family Group, choose the supervised account, tick the spending and/or age-based purchase restriction boxes, and select Save changes.

Every Nintendo Switch control, in plain English

Stopping surprise spending on Nintendo Switch

• Spending is NOT set in the Parental Controls app. Sign in to your parent/guardian Nintendo Account > Family Group > [supervised account].
• Spending Restrictions: tick the box to disable purchases and automatic renewal on Nintendo eShop and the Nintendo website.
• Age-Based Purchase Restrictions: tick the box to limit what eShop content the child sees by age.
• Select Save changes.
• Alternative: add a fixed amount via a Nintendo eShop card so the child can only spend their balance.

More on how money works inside games in Money in games.

Who can message your child on Nintendo Switch

• Restricted Features > communication with others (both consoles).
• Switch 2 GameChat: the app must be linked before under-16s or supervised users can use GameChat. In the app select GameChat > the user > New chat-approval requests to approve or refuse each friend; approval can be removed at any time.
• Video chat: choose whether camera requests are allowed; under-16s need your approval for each video chat session, with view options No Filter, Face Only and No Background (a USB camera is needed).
• If another player shares their screen while playing a game your settings would block, it won't be shown to your child.

For the wider picture, see Chat & strangers.

Nintendo Switch play-time limits and bedtimes

• Play Time Limit in the app: a daily limit, or a bedtime (e.g. no play between 21:00 and 08:00).
• When time is up you can choose: notification only, or Suspend Software (the console goes to sleep straight away).
• From the app you can extend by 5/15/30 minutes or disable the limit for the day.

Routines that make limits easier to keep are in Time & routines.

Where Nintendo Switch set-ups usually go wrong

• Parental controls are set for the CONSOLE, not each user - set them for the youngest player.
• Play-time limits, play activity and GameChat controls are only in the smartphone app, not on the console.
• eShop spending is managed separately through the Nintendo Account family group.
• Unlinking the app removes the console's restrictions.
• Posting to social media controls exist only on the original Switch; VR Mode is not on Switch 2.
• On Switch 2, GameChat controls have to be set for each user separately.
• One app can manage up to eight consoles.