Parental Controls for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch Overview/FAQ
Information
The parental controls for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch allow you to manage which features and games your child can use on their console. Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application and link it to your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console(s) to access the most robust control options, including options required for younger players to use GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2. Certain restrictions can also be set directly on the console without using the app.
Key Points
Parental controls can restrict the download and use of certain content, set play time limits, and restrict the use of certain features on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Parental controls can also be managed on your smart device, via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application. Some features (such as play time limits) can only be managed through the smart device application.
For children under the age of 16 and supervised users to use GameChat on a Nintendo Switch 2 console, the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app must be linked to the console and the parent must set up additional controls specific to this feature.
Please note that an internet connection is required to use the smart device app with both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Parental controls are set for the console - not the user. Once set, the same restrictions will be in place for everyone that uses the console.
The parent/guardian chooses a 4-digit PIN when setting up the parental controls. The PIN will be used in the future whenever a restriction needs to be bypassed or changed.
You can also set restrictions for Nintendo eShop through your Nintendo Account.
FAQ:
Parents can download and use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app (available for free on iOS and Android devices) for the most extensive control options, which include the settings on the console and settings exclusive to the app. Using the app, parents can set daily limits for how long the console can be played, as well as view which games have been played on the console and for how long. Parents can also set a bedtime and morning start time, such as no gaming allowed between 21:00 and 08:00. Restrictions for GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2 are also handled through the app, allowing parents to manage which friends their child can chat with, enable video chat with specific camera field of view options or restrict video chat for each session, and review their child's GameChat history to see who they chatted with and for how long.
Parents can use parental controls on the console to set restrictions on game content and free communication with others. On Nintendo Switch consoles, settings can also be configured for sharing screenshots and videos to social media.
Parents can choose from three preset options (Young Child, Child, or Teen) or create custom settings.
Nintendo eShop purchases can be restricted through the parent/guardian’s Nintendo Account profile settings on a PC or smart device (accessible by signing in to http://accounts.nintendo.com). You can jump directly to these settings from within the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
The core parental controls (game content restrictions, and limiting in-game communication between players) can be set on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch consoles, and through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application. Social media posting restrictions can also be set for Nintendo Switch (posting to social media is not available on Nintendo Switch 2).
With the smart device application, you can also set play time limits, view the games that have been played on the console, and even set a daily cut-off time.
Additionally, Nintendo eShop purchases can be restricted through the parent / guardian’s Nintendo Account profile settings on a PC or smart device (accessible by signing in to http://accounts.nintendo.com). You can jump directly to these settings from within the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
Parents can use the settings on the console or the more extensive Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application (available for free on iOS and Android devices) to set various restrictions for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. Additionally, restrictions on Nintendo eShop purchases can be set through the parent/guardian’s Nintendo Account.
Please note that the Parental Control PIN will automatically be required when restoring the console to factory settings and when adjusting some of the system settings (date/time changes, deleting a user, etc.).
Categories | Nintendo Switch 2 system | Nintendo Switch system | Smart device app | Nintendo Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Software by age rating | YES | YES | YES | NO |
Posting to social media* | NO | YES | YES | NO |
Communication with others | YES | YES | YES | NO |
VR Mode (3D Visuals)** | YES | YES | YES | NO |
Play-time limits | NO | NO | YES | NO |
View play activity | NO | NO | YES | NO |
Manage GameChat Restrictions | NO | NO | YES | NO |
Purchase restrictions | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Disable Friend Suggestions | NO | NO | NO | YES |
Manage info shared | NO | NO | NO | YES |
*It is not possible to post screenshots and videos to social media directly from a Nintendo Switch 2 console.
**It is not possible to play in VR mode on Nintendo Switch 2 using the Toy-Con VR Goggles from Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit.
When setting up parental controls on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, you can choose from the following preset restriction levels (or customise the restrictions yourself).
Teen
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 17+
Content Rating System - Appropriate agency for your region (Australia: Australian Classification Board (ACB) or New Zealand: Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC))
Free Communication with Others - Not Restricted
Posting to Social Media - Not Restricted (only available for Nintendo Switch)
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not Restricted (only applicable to Nintendo Switch)
Child
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 13+
Content Rating System - Appropriate agency for your region (Australia: Australian Classification Board (ACB) or New Zealand: Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC))
Free Communication with Others - Restricted
Posting to Social Media - Restricted (only available for Nintendo Switch)
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not Restricted (only applicable to Nintendo Switch)
Young Child
Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 8+
Content Rating System - Appropriate agency for your region (Australia: Australian Classification Board (ACB) or New Zealand: Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC))
Free Communication with Others - Restricted
Posting to Social Media - Restricted (only available for Nintendo Switch)
VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Restricted (only applicable to Nintendo Switch)
For users under the age of 16 and supervised users, parental controls must be set up through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app before they can use GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2. These parental controls will help you manage your child’s online interactions with their friends to help them enjoy a safe online experience.
Using the app, parents can approve a child's requests to allow certain friends to chat with them, as well as approve requests to use video chat for each session. Details on the child's GameChat usage will also be available in the Play Activity and Monthly Summary sections of the app, including who they chatted with and for how long.
For specific details about how to manage your child's GameChat experience, we have a guide for parents that covers this information.
When the daily time limit is reached, you can choose to extend the limit by 5/15/30 minutes, disable the limit for the day, have the console suspend the game, or simply have a notification appear on the screen.
If the game is suspended, the console will go into sleep mode immediately, and the player will not be able to continue their game. The console cannot be played again until the restriction is lifted or the daily time period has passed. Players can usually resume from the same spot once the restriction has been lifted.
Parental controls are generally set for the whole console - not for each individual user. Once the parental controls are set on a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console, the same restrictions will be in place for everyone that uses the console. You should set parental controls with the youngest user in mind. Player-specific parental controls are available for parents to manage their child's use of Nintendo eShop and GameChat.
Parental controls that are specific to GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2 need to be set up individually for each user through the smart device app. Users under the age of 16 and supervised users cannot start GameChat without these controls being set up for their user.
Please note that the parent or guardian can review information about play time and played software separately for each user by using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application. Games that don't require user selection to play will only display combined play time information for all users of the console.
The Play Time Limit is set for the console and therefore restricts all individual users of the console equally. However, the parent or guardian can review information about play time and played software separately for each user by using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application. You can also choose to extend the play time limit by certain amounts when it is reached.
Please note that to review information by individual user, both the console and Nintendo Switch Parental Controls application must be using the most recent updates. Additionally, games that don't require user selection to play will only display combined play time information for all users of the console.
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app is available for free on iOS and Android devices (data fees may apply). A Nintendo Account for a user aged 18+ is required to use the app.
The restrictions can only be managed by one Nintendo Account. However, you can link the same Nintendo Account to the application on multiple smart devices. Then, you can manage the restrictions through each device that the Nintendo Account is linked to.
Yes. You can link up to eight consoles to the same smart device, between both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch consoles.
iOS Users
Supported on iOS 15.0 or newer
Android users
Supported on Android 8.0 or newer
On your smart device, open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your iOS or Android device.
Tap Parental Controls in the lower-right corner.
Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
Tap Notification Settings.
Next to "Receive Notifications", tap Change to enable or disable specific notifications from the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
When notifications are turned on, you will receive push notifications on your smart device.