How to Set Up, Adjust, or Remove Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch 2
Note: Parental Controls are set for the console, not each individual user. The same restrictions will apply to everyone who uses the console, so they should be set with the youngest player in mind.
Are you setting up, adjusting or removing Parental Controls?
Nintendo Switch 2 Parental Controls can be set up directly on the console or through our smart device application. Additional restrictions can be managed through your Nintendo Account family group.
The smart device app provides access to the greatest number of restriction options and features and is required for children under 16 to use GameChat.
Manage your child's GameChat usage, including approving specific friends for your child to chat with and approving the use of video chat.
Set limits on play time, view play activity and set individually selected games that any selected settings don't apply to.
Set age rating restrictions and limit in-game communication between players.
System settings can be used without a smart device.
Set age rating restrictions and limit in-game communication between players.
Nintendo Account settings can be used for separate restrictions.
Restrictions on viewing and purchasing content in Nintendo eShop, friend suggestions and sharing information with third parties are managed through the Nintendo Account settings.
How would you like to set Parental Controls?
Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
Select Parental Controls, then Parental Controls Settings.
If you do not want to use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app for smart devices, press the X Button and then select Next to continue. For steps to set up the smart device app, select Through the Smart Device Application from the options above.
Select Restriction Level.
Choose from preset restrictions by age or select Custom Settings to manually adjust individual settings. Select each setting that you want to adjust:
Restricted Software - Restrict software by age based on each game’s age rating category. Select Restricted Software, then choose the age you would like to restrict software for. Additionally, videos captured using restricted software will not be viewable in the album.
Content Rating System - Adjust the content rating system that software restrictions are based on (ACB, PEGI, etc). This defaults to the appropriate system for your region.
Posting Screenshots/Videos on Social Networks - Disable the ability to share images from a console on social networks. Toggle between Restricted or Not restricted.
Free Communication With Others - Restrict open communication between users, including chat features and exchanging messages. You can toggle between Restricted or Not restricted for all software on the console, or adjust the settings for specific software.
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Restrict gameplay in VR mode. This option should be set to "Restricted" if a child 6 years old or younger uses the console. Toggle between Restricted or Not restricted.
Once the restrictions are set, select Next.
Choose a PIN (between 4 and 8 digits long), then select OK.
You can use either control stick input or a number pad to enter the PIN:
If you use control stick input (default), each direction of the control stick is a number (1-8), the Y Button is 9 and the X Button is 0.
If you would prefer to enter the PIN using a number pad, hold the + Button to switch to keypad input. Once you're finished, select OK or press the + Button again.
If there are children in the room that you don’t want to see the PIN, you can either remove the Nintendo Switch 2 console from the dock and enter the PIN in handheld mode or use control stick input.
Re-enter the PIN to confirm, then select OK.
If you are having issues with the PIN confirmation, try using keypad Iiput to enter the PIN and/or select Show when entering it to display it on the screen. (Note that this will be visible to anyone in the room if you enter it while in TV mode.)
If you haven't already done so, link your Nintendo Switch 2 console to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application.
Once the link is complete, open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application on your smart device.
Select Parental Controls in the lower-right corner.
Select each setting you want to adjust:
If you have both a play time limit and a bedtime set, the console will use whichever time limit comes first.
Play Time Limit: Set a daily limit on the amount of time the Nintendo Switch 2 console can be used (scroll from none up to 6 hours). You can also toggle Set Days Individually to set these restrictions individually for each day of the week.
You can also extend today's play time limit by 5, 15 or 30 minutes at a time, or turn it off for the day.
Bedtime: Set gameplay to stop at a certain time each day (between 16:00 and 23:45). When set, you can select the three dots icon on the right to set a time when the console can be used again the next morning (between 06:00 and 09:00).
Suspend Software at Set Time: When this option is enabled, the software on the console will be suspended when the time limit is reached. Otherwise, a notification will appear when the limit is reached, but software will still be playable.
Note: You must register a phone number to your Nintendo Account to set Parental Controls for GameChat.
Select a user to change the following settings.
Friends Approved for GameChat
When your child has requested approval to chat with a friend, you can review the request by selecting Chat approval request received. For each user you would like to approve, perform the following steps:
Select the user.
Ask your child about this friend.
Select Next.
Decide whether to approve the friend.
If you approve them, make a note to keep track of who the user is and why they were approved.
After entering a note, select Next, then select OK.
You can change the note for a friend by selecting them and then selecting Edit.
You can revoke approval by selecting the friend, then selecting
Revoke GameChat Permission at the bottom. Review the information, then select Revoke Permission.
Video Chat Settings
Select the three dots icon next to your child's nickname, then select Use of Video Chat.
You can choose whether your child needs to ask for permission for every chat session, or choose not to allow video chat at all.
If you set it to ask for permission every chat session, you will receive a notification with a request for approval every time your child wants to use video chat in GameChat.
While video chat is in use, you can change the field of view for the camera by selecting Play Activity in the bottom-left corner, then selecting Video Chat. Choose between Face-Only View, Focused View (No Surroundings) and Full Camera View, then select Save.
You can also revoke permission for the current chat session.
Choose from preset restrictions by age or select Custom Settings to manually adjust individual settings.
Teen
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 17+
Content Rating System - Appropriate rating system for your region
Free Communication With Others - Not restricted
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not restricted
Child
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 13+
Content Rating System - Appropriate rating system for your region
Free Communication With Others - Restricted
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not restricted
Young Child
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 8+
Content Rating System - Appropriate rating system for your region
Free Communication With Others - Restricted
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Restricted
Custom Settings
Restricted Software
Restrict software by age based on each game’s rating. Select Restricted Software, then choose the age you would like to restrict software for (6+, 13+, etc). Additionally, videos captured using restricted software will not be viewable in the album.
Content Rating System
Adjust the content rating system that software restrictions are based on (ACB, PEGI, etc). This defaults to the appropriate rating system for your region.
Free Communication With Others
Restrict open communication between users, including chat features and exchanging messages. You can toggle between Restricted or Not restricted for all software on the console, or adjust the settings for specific software. This specific restriction does not apply to GameChat.
VR Mode (3D Visuals)
Restrict gameplay in VR mode. This option should be set to restricted if a child of 6 years or younger uses the console. Toggle between Restricted or Not restricted.
Safelist settings can be used to exclude specific software titles from restricted software settings on your Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Games on your safelist can be played on the console without entering the Parental Controls PIN.
These games are still subject to any restrictions set for daily play time limits.
You can remove a game from the safelist at any time, at which point the standard restrictions you have set for the console will apply.
Any software titles that have been played on your console can be added to your safelist. If the game you want doesn't appear, start it on your Nintendo Switch 2 console and check again.
You can view or change the Parental Controls PIN for the console.
Once you are done with a setting, tap the red Save button on the screen to confirm.
Restrictions you set will be activated as soon as the Nintendo Switch 2 console connects to the internet.
Parent/guardian Nintendo Accounts can set certain restrictions for supervised Nintendo Accounts
Manage Nintendo eShop restrictions, which includes the ability to restrict spending or limit visibility of Nintendo eShop content based on age.
Enable or disable the friend suggestions feature.
Manage Nintendo Account information that can be shared with third parties.
Your existing settings can be adjusted in the same place they were originally set.
Parental Controls such as age rating restrictions and limiting in-game communication between players are available directly on the console and through the smart device app.
The smart device app is required to manage GameChat usage, and can also be used to set limits on play time, view play activity and allow individually selected games to ignore restrictions.
Restrictions on viewing and purchasing content in Nintendo eShop, friend suggestions and sharing information with third parties are managed through the Nintendo Account settings.
How are Parental Controls currently set?
Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
Select Parental Controls, then select Change Settings.
Enter the Parental Controls PIN for the console.
If you can’t remember your PIN, we have steps for how to locate or reset it.
Select Change Settings.
Select Restriction Level.
Choose from preset restrictions by age or select Custom Settings to manually adjust individual settings.
Restricted Software - Restrict software by age based on each game’s age rating category. Select Restricted Software, then choose the age you would like to restrict software for. Additionally, videos captured using restricted software will not be viewable in the album.
Content Rating System - Adjust the content rating system that software restrictions are based on (ACB, PEGI, etc). This defaults to the appropriate system for your region.
Posting Screenshots/Videos on Social Networks - Disable the ability to share images from a console on social networks. Toggle between Restricted or Not restricted.
Free Communication With Others - Restrict open communication between users, including chat features and exchanging messages. You can toggle between Restricted or Not restricted for all software on the console, or adjust the settings for specific software.
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Restrict gameplay in VR mode. This option should be set to "Restricted" if a child 6 years old or younger uses the console. Toggle between Restricted or Not restricted.
Once the restrictions are set, select Save.
If you'd like to set limits on play time, view play activity and allow individually selected games to ignore restrictions, follow the steps above to set Parental Controls through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app.
Open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application on your smart device.
Select Parental Controls in the lower-right corner.
Select each setting you want to adjust:
If you have both a play time limit and a bedtime set, the console will use whichever time limit comes first.
Play Time Limit: Set a daily limit on the amount of time the Nintendo Switch 2 console can be used (scroll from none up to 6 hours). You can also toggle Set Days Individually to set these restrictions individually for each day of the week.
You can also extend today's play time limit by 5, 15 or 30 minutes at a time, or turn it off for the day.
Bedtime: Set gameplay to stop at a certain time each day (between 16:00 and 23:45). When set, you can select the three dots icon on the right to set a time when the console can be used again the next morning (between 06:00 and 09:00).
Suspend Software at Set Time: When this option is enabled, the software on the console will be stopped when the time limit is reached. Otherwise, a notification will appear when the limit is reached, but software will still be playable.
Select a user to change the following settings.
Friends Approved for GameChat
When your child has requested approval to chat with a friend, you can review the request by selecting Chat approval request received. For each user you would like to approve, perform the following steps:
Select the user.
Ask your child about this friend.
Select Next.
Decide whether to approve the friend.
If you approve them, make a note to keep track of who the user is and why they were approved.
After entering a note, select Next, then select OK.
You can change the note for a friend by selecting them and then selecting Edit.
You can revoke approval by selecting the friend, then selecting
Revoke GameChat Permission at the bottom. Review the information, and then select Revoke Permission.
Video Chat Settings
Select the three dots icon next to your child's nickname, then select Use of Video Chat.
You can choose whether your child needs to ask for permission for every chat session, or choose not to allow video chat at all.
If you set it to ask for permission every chat session, you will receive a notification with a request for approval every time your child wants to use video chat in GameChat.
While video chat is in use, you can change the field of view for the camera by selecting Play Activity in the bottom-left corner, then selecting Video Chat. Choose between Face-Only View, Focused View (No Surroundings) and Full Camera View, then select Save.
You can also revoke permission for the current chat session.
Choose from preset restrictions by age or select Custom Settings to manually adjust individual settings.
Teen
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 17+
Content Rating System - Appropriate rating system for your region
Free Communication With Others - Not restricted
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not restricted
Child
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 13+
Content Rating System - Appropriate rating system for your region
Free Communication With Others - Restricted
Use of VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not restricted
Young Child
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 8+
Content Rating System - Appropriate rating system for your region
Free Communication With Others - Restricted
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Restricted
Custom Settings
Restricted Software
Restrict software by age based on each game’s rating. Select Restricted Software, then choose the age you would like to restrict software for (6+, 13+, etc). Additionally, videos captured using restricted software will not be viewable in the album.
Content Rating System
Adjust the content rating system that software restrictions are based on (ACB, PEGI, etc). This defaults to the appropriate rating system for your region.
Free Communication With Others
Restrict open communication between users, including chat features and exchanging messages. You can toggle between Restricted or Not restricted for all software on the console, or adjust the settings for specific software. This specific restriction does not apply to GameChat.
VR Mode (3D Visuals)
Restrict gameplay in VR mode. This option should be set to restricted if a child of 6 years or younger uses the console. Toggle between Restricted or Not restricted.
Safelist settings can be used to exclude specific software titles from restricted software settings on your Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Games on your safelist can be played on the console without entering the Parental Controls PIN.
These games are still subject to any restrictions set for daily play time limits.
You can remove a game from the safelist at any time, at which point the standard restrictions you have set for the console will apply.
Any software titles that have been played on your console can be added to your safelist. If the game you want doesn't appear, start it on your Nintendo Switch 2 console and check again.
You can view or change the Parental Controls PIN for the console.
Once you are done with a setting, tap the red Save button on the screen to confirm.
Restrictions you set will be activated as soon as the Nintendo Switch 2 console connects to the internet.
Parent/guardian Nintendo Accounts can adjust the following restrictions for a supervised account in their family group:
Manage Nintendo eShop restrictions, which includes the ability to restrict spending or limit visibility of Nintendo eShop content based on age.
Enable or disable the friend suggestions feature.
Manage Nintendo Account information that can be shared with third parties.
How were Parental Controls originally set?
Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
Select Parental Controls, then select Change Settings.
Enter the Parental Controls PIN for the console.
If you can’t remember your PIN, we have steps for how to locate or reset it.
Select Delete Parental Controls Settings.
Select Delete, then select OK to return to the system settings.
To completely remove the Parental Controls settings, unlink the app from the Nintendo Switch 2 console. All Parental Controls restrictions will be removed from the console when the app is unlinked.
To lift restrictions set by a parent/guardian Nintendo Account on a supervised account in their family group:
Manage Nintendo eShop restrictions, which includes the ability to restrict spending or limit visibility of Nintendo eShop content based on age.
Enable or disable the friend suggestions feature.
Manage Nintendo Account information that can be shared with third parties.