Nintendo Switch Parental Controls: Play Time, Chat and Spending

Nintendo Switch parental controls come in three layers: settings on the console itself, more options in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone, and spending limits in your child’s Nintendo Account. Setting all three takes about 15 minutes. Checked October 25, 2026.

Step 1: Console settings

These work without a phone. On the console, go to System Settings > Parental Controls > Parental Controls Settings > Restriction Level, choose a preset or Custom, then create a 4 to 8 digit PIN.

• Presets: Teen, Pre-Teen or Child, or choose Custom.
• Restricted software: limits games by their age rating.
• Communicating with others: blocks chat and messages in all games or only some.
• Posting to social media: stops screenshots and videos being shared from the console.

Console settings apply to everyone who uses that Switch, including adults, unless they enter the PIN.

Step 2: The Parental Controls app

Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app and link it to the console. It adds:

• Daily play time limits, with different limits on different days if you like.
• Bedtime, which stops play at a set time in the evening.
• Suspend software: choose whether the game stops when time is up or just shows a notice. Stopping is firmer; a notice lets them save first.
• Play history, showing which games were played and for how long.
• An Allow List of games that skip the PIN, and the option to share control with a second parent.

Restrictions turn on as soon as the console connects to the internet.

Step 3: Nintendo Account settings

Make your child’s Nintendo Account a supervised account in your family group. From your own account on the Nintendo website you can:

• Set eShop spending limits or block purchases.
• Hide eShop content that doesn’t match their age.
• Turn friend suggestions off.
• Control what account information is shared with other companies.

See In-Game Spending and Loot Boxes.

Games with their own controls

Popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox have separate accounts and settings. Set those too.

Quick checklist

• Console restriction level and PIN set
• Communication with others restricted
• Parental Controls app linked, with play time and bedtime set
• Child has a supervised Nintendo Account
• eShop spending limited

Frequently asked questions

Does this work on Nintendo Switch 2?
Switch 2 also supports parental controls through the same app, with extra options for its chat features. Check Nintendo’s support pages for the latest settings on your model.

What if I forget the PIN?
You can see or change it in the Parental Controls app. Nintendo support can help if the app isn’t linked.

My child is playing past the limit.
Check whether “Suspend Software” is turned on. If it’s off, they only get a notice when time is up.

Sources

• How to Set Up, Adjust, or Remove Nintendo Switch Parental Controls, Nintendo Support, accessed October 25, 2026
• Parental Controls App, Nintendo, accessed October 25, 2026