Nintendo Switch parental controls are free, and the easiest way to use them is the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your own phone. It works with both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch, and it lets you set daily play time, block games above your child’s age and limit chat with other players. Here’s how to set it up, step by step.
Fast Facts About Nintendo Switch Parental Controls
- The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app is free, and it works with Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.[1]
- Daily play time limits, bedtimes and GameChat controls can only be set in the app, not on the console.[2]
- You can restrict games by ESRB rating or start from a preset for a teen, pre-teen or child.[1][2]
- On Nintendo Switch 2, a child under 16 can’t use GameChat until a parent sets it up and approves who they chat with.[4]
- Spending is managed in your Nintendo Account. There’s no dollar cap: you turn purchases off or load a set amount.[5]
What You Need Before You Start
- A Nintendo Account for yourself. The parent or guardian needs to be 18 or older.[1]
- The free app on your phone. Nintendo Switch Parental Controls is available for iPhone and Android.[3]
- Your child in your Nintendo Account family group, if you want to control what they buy. Up to two parents or guardians in the same family group can manage parental controls.[2]
How to Link the App to Your Nintendo Switch
You set up the app first, then enter a code on the console.[3]
- Download the app from p.nintendo.com, which sends you to the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app, select Start, then sign in with your Nintendo Account or create one.
- Get your Link Code. After you sign in, the app shows a six-digit Link Code.
- On the Switch, open System Settings from the HOME Menu and highlight Parental Controls.
- Select Parental Controls Settings, then “I have the app installed. What’s next?”
- Enter the six-digit code, select OK, then select Link.
One app can manage up to eight Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles, which helps if each child has their own.[3]
Set Daily Play Time Limits and a Bedtime
In the app, you can limit how long the console is used each day and how late it can be used, and set a bedtime and a morning start time.[1][2] When time runs out, you choose what happens:[2]
- A notification. A message appears on screen, but play can continue.
- Suspend the game. The console goes into sleep mode right away and can’t be played until you lift the limit or the day’s time period passes. Players can usually pick up from the same spot later.
From the app, you can also extend the limit by 5, 15 or 30 minutes or an hour, or turn it off for the day.[2] The app shows which games your child played, too.[2] If you only set controls on the console itself, there’s no way to limit play time.[2]
A notification is easy to miss in the middle of a level. With younger kids, agree on a stopping point before play starts, so the limit isn’t a surprise.
Restrict Games by Age Rating
You can block games by ESRB rating or use one of Nintendo’s preset levels.[1] The presets work like this:[2]
| Preset | Games it blocks | Chat and posting |
|---|---|---|
| Teen | Games rated Mature 17+ | Not restricted |
| Pre-Teen | Games rated Teen and Mature | Restricted |
| Child | Games rated Everyone 10+, Teen and Mature | Restricted |
On the original Switch, the Child preset also blocks VR mode. You can build custom settings instead of a preset.[2] For what each rating means, see ESRB ratings explained, and for rated picks, our list of the best Switch games for kids by age.
Limit Chat and Shared Content
The app can restrict in-game communication and the sharing and viewing of content other players make, for one game or for all games.[1] On the original Switch, you can also stop your child posting screenshots to social networks.[1]
GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2
GameChat lets Switch 2 players chat while they play, including by video. For children under 16, a parent or guardian has to be involved:[4]
- GameChat won’t start for a child under 16 until you set up its controls in the app for that child.
- Your child can only chat with friends, and you approve each friend they can chat with.
- Video chat needs your approval in the app each time it’s turned on for a new GameChat room. You can also choose which camera options your child can pick.
- The app shows past GameChat sessions, including who your child chatted with and for how long.
GameChat needs a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo’s free open-access period ended March 31, 2026. Anyone in a chat can report a problem from the console’s C Menu, and players can mute each other.[4]
Control Spending in Nintendo eShop
Purchases aren’t controlled in the Parental Controls app. You manage them in your Nintendo Account, and only a parent or guardian account in the family group can change them.[2][5]
- Sign in to your Nintendo Account at accounts.nintendo.com.
- Select Family group, then choose your child’s account.
- Under Spending Restrictions, check the box to turn off purchases. This covers Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Store, including auto-renewals.
- Select Save changes.
There’s no way to set a dollar limit. If you want your child to buy some things, add a set amount to their account with a card or a Nintendo eShop card. They can only spend what’s in their balance.[5] Games can also sell items inside the game, so read our guide to loot boxes and game spending before you add money.
What Parental Controls Can’t Do
- They only cover the console. Games your child plays on a phone, tablet or computer need their own settings. See our guides to Fortnite and Minecraft, which run on many devices.
- They don’t replace a conversation. Tell your child why the limits are there, and agree on what they should do if someone online makes them uncomfortable.
- They need a check-in as your child grows. Revisit the settings at each birthday, the way you would any other house rule.
Take the 2-Minute Game Danger Check
Pick the game your child plays most and answer a few questions about chat, voice and spending. You’ll get a risk score and the settings to change. Start the Game Danger Check
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app free?
Yes. It’s a free app for iPhone and Android, and it works with Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.[1][3]
Can I set parental controls on the Switch without the app?
Partly. On the console you can restrict games by rating and limit communication, but play time limits, bedtimes and GameChat controls are only in the app.[2]
How do I limit play time on a Nintendo Switch?
Link the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, then set a daily limit and a bedtime. You can choose a notification or have the game suspended when time is up.[2]
Can my child chat with strangers on Nintendo Switch 2?
Not through GameChat if they’re under 16. They can only chat with friends you approve, and video chat needs your approval for each new chat room.[4]
Can I set a spending limit in Nintendo eShop?
Not a dollar limit. You can turn purchases off in your Nintendo Account, or add a set amount for your child to spend.[5]
How many consoles can one app manage?
Up to eight Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles.[3]
Related Guides
- Safe Video Games for Kids by Age
- Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids by Age
- ESRB Ratings Explained
- Loot Boxes and Game Spending
- Xbox Parental Controls
- Is Fortnite Safe for Kids?
Sources
- Nintendo. (n.d.). Nintendo Switch Parental Controls. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Nintendo Support. (n.d.). Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch Overview/FAQ. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Nintendo Support. (n.d.). How to Link or Unlink Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Nintendo Support. (n.d.). GameChat Guide and FAQ. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Nintendo Support. (n.d.). Can I Set a Nintendo eShop Spending Limit for My Child? Accessed October 4, 2026.
About this information
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