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Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch Overview/FAQ

Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

General information

Parental Controls for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch let parents/guardians manage which features and games a child can use on their console.

Certain restrictions can be placed directly from the console, or you can download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app and link it to the Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console(s) to access more robust control options.

"Parents" used below refers to the parent or guardian user with the Nintendo Account that manages the Parental Controls for a console.

  • 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. Up to two parents or guardians in the same Nintendo Account family group can set parental controls on a child's game system using the smart device application.
  • Up to two parents in the same Nintendo Account family group can share responsibility for Parental Controls on a console using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
  • For children under the age of 16 and supervised users to use GameChat on a Nintendo Switch 2 system, 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.
  • Most parental control options are set system wide – not per user. Once set, the same restrictions will be in place for everyone that uses the console. Additional controls can be set per user through the parent's Nintendo Account, such as restrictions for Nintendo eShop.
  • The parent chooses a PIN number (between 4 and 8 digits long) when setting up the Parental Controls. The PIN will be used in the future whenever a restriction needs to be bypassed or changed.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of Parental Controls do Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch have?

  • 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 on-device controls and controls exclusive to the app. On the app, parents can set daily limits for how long the system can be played, as well as view which games have been played on the system and for how long. Parents can also set a bedtime and morning start time, such as no gaming allowed after 9 p.m. until 8 a.m. 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 the on-device Parental Controls on the console to set restrictions on game content and in-game communication with other users. On Nintendo Switch, on-device controls can also be set for sharing screenshots and videos to social media.
  • Parents can choose from three pre-set options (Child, Pre-Teen or Teen) or create custom settings.
  • Nintendo eShop purchases can be restricted through the parent’s Nintendo Account profile settings on a PC or smart device (accessible by signing in to accounts.nintendo.com). You can jump directly to these settings from within the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.

What is the difference between the Parental Controls on the console and on the smart device app?

  • The core parental controls, like management of game content restrictions, limiting in-game communication between players, and social media posting on Nintendo Switch, can be set on the console and through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
    • Posting to social media is not available on Nintendo Switch 2.
  • App exclusive options include play time limits, games played on the console, setting a daily bedtime and morning start time, as well as GameChat usage on Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Nintendo eShop purchases, and some other features, can be restricted through the parent’s Nintendo Account profile settings using a web browser at accounts.nintendo.com. You can jump directly to these settings from within the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.

What can I block with Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch?

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
Communicating 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
with 3rd parties		 NO NO NO YES
Age-Based Content Restrictions
(viewing on Nintendo eShop)		 NO NO NO YES
Linked Apps and Services NO NO NO YES

*It is not possible to post screenshots and videos to social media directly from a Nintendo Switch 2 system.

**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.

Please note that the Parental Controls PIN will automatically be required when initializing the system and when adjusting some of the system settings (date/time changes, deleting a user, etc.).

What are the preset Parental Controls restriction levels on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch?

Parents can choose from the following preset restriction levels, or customize the restrictions themself.

Teen

  • Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 17+ (games rated Mature by the ESRB)
  • Software Rating Organization - Appropriate organization for your region
  • Communicating 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)

Pre-Teen

  • Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 13+ (games rated Teen and Mature by the ESRB)
  • Software Rating Organization - Appropriate organization for your region
  • Communicating with Others - Restricted
  • Posting to Social Media - Restricted (only available for Nintendo Switch)
  • VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Not Restricted (only applicable to Nintendo Switch)

Child

  • Restricted Software - Games rated for ages 8+ (games rated Everyone 10+, Teen and Mature by the ESRB)
  • Software Rating Organization - Appropriate organization for your region
  • Communicating with Others - Restricted
  • Posting to Social Media - Restricted (only available for Nintendo Switch)
  • VR Mode (3D Visuals) - Restricted (only applicable to Nintendo Switch)

How do Parental Controls work for GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2?

  • 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. 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.

What happens when the daily time limit is reached?

  • When the daily time limit is reached, you can choose to extend the limit by 5/15/30 minutes or an hour, disable the limit for the day, have the system suspend the game, or simply have a notification appear on the screen.
  • If the game is suspended, the system will go into sleep mode immediately, and the player will not be able to continue their game. The system 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.

Can parents set Parental Controls for each player on the system?

  • Parental controls are generally set for the whole console - not for each individual player. Once set on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch, the same restrictions will be in place for everyone that uses the console. You should set the Parental Controls with the youngest player 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 parents can review information about play time and played software separately for each user by using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Games that don't require user selection to play will only display combined play time information for all users of the system.

Can Play-Time be restricted by user on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch?

  • The Play-Time Limit is set for the console and therefore restricts all individual users of the system equally. However, parents can review information about play time and played software separately for each user by using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. 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 app must be using the most recent updates.

How much does it cost to download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app?

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.

Can I manage the restrictions for my console on two different smart devices?

The restrictions can be managed by two Nintendo Accounts using the shared Parental Controls setting. After one parent links the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to their console, they can share the responsibility for Parental Controls with another parent. The parents must be in the same Nintendo Account family group to share this responsibility, along with the children who are subject to the Parental Controls.

Can I manage the restrictions for multiple Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles on one smart device?

Yes. You can link up to eight consoles to the same smart device, between both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

What are the requirements for the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app?

  • iOS Users: Supported on iOS 16.0 or newer.
  • Android users: Supported on Android 8.0 or newer.

How do I change the notification settings in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app?

  1. On your smart device, open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
  2. Tap Parental Controls in the lower-right corner.
  3. Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
  4. Tap Notification Settings.
  5. 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.

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