Nintendo Switch

1. Restrict Nintendo eShop purchases

   In a browser · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   Spending restrictions are on the Nintendo Account. They can disable purchases and auto-renewal on Switch 2, Switch, and the Nintendo Store, including physical orders.

   1. On the parent account, open the family group, then the supervised account, then Spending Restrictions.
   2. Turn off purchases and auto-renewal, then save.
   3. Set age-based content restrictions if you want those too.
   Nintendo Account parental controls

2. Restrict communicating with others

   On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   Communicating with Others can be restricted, and the restriction can be set per game.

   1. Turn on the communication restriction.
   2. If one game needs it looser, set that exception per game instead of turning the restriction off everywhere.
   Nintendo Switch parental controls

3. Set a restriction level or age rating

   On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   Teen restricts games rated 17 and up, and does not restrict communication or social posting. Pre-Teen restricts games rated 13 and up, plus communication and social posting. Child restricts games rated E10 and up, plus communication, social posting, and VR. Custom lets you set communication per game, with a PIN of 4 to 8 digits. These preset details are from Nintendo's article for original Switch models.

   1. Choose Teen, Pre-Teen, or Child for the youngest player, or Custom if one game needs a different communication rule.
   Nintendo Switch parental controls

4. Set play time, bedtime, and suspend

   On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   In the parental controls app, the play-time limit goes from No Limit up to 6 hours, and it can vary by day. You can add 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or turn the limit off for today. Bedtime can start between 4:00 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., with a morning start between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. Suspend Play When Time's Up stops the game. Without it, the console only shows a notification. Nintendo's long setup article is for original Switch models. On Switch 2, play-time limits are still set in the app.

   1. In the parental controls app, set the play-time limit. Six hours is the longest.
   2. Set bedtime and the time play can start again in the morning.
   3. Turn on Suspend Play When Time's Up if a notification is not enough.
   Nintendo Switch parental controls

5. Restrict posting screenshots and videos to social media

   On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   On an original Switch, you can stop the console from posting screenshots and videos to social media. Posting to social media is not available on Switch 2, so there is no switch to set there.

   1. On an original Switch, turn on the restriction for posting screenshots and videos.
   2. On Switch 2, skip this. That posting feature is not on the console.
   Nintendo Switch parental controls

6. Restrict VR mode

   On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   The Child preset on an original Switch restricts VR mode. Labo VR is not available on Switch 2.

   1. On an original Switch, leave VR mode restricted unless you have decided it is appropriate.
   2. On Switch 2, there is no Labo VR mode to turn off.
   Nintendo Switch parental controls

7. Link the app before Switch 2 GameChat

   On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026

   Applies to players under 16 and to any player whose account is supervised through the Parental Controls app. On Switch 2, GameChat is only with friends a parent has approved, and only if the Parental Controls app is linked. Video chat needs a parent's approval every time. You can review GameChat history. Up to two parents can use the app.

   1. Link the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app before GameChat is used.
   2. Approve friends yourself. Do not leave video chat on for the whole day. It asks again each time.
   Nintendo Switch parental controls

How we check lists what was left off Nintendo Switch.