How to set up parental controls on Nintendo Switch using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app for safe gaming.
The Nintendo Switch is a hugely popular console among younger children, known for family-friendly games like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. Nintendo provides a dedicated Parental Controls smartphone app that makes it straightforward to manage play time, restrict games by age rating, and control online features. The portable nature of the Switch means children can use it anywhere, making parental oversight especially important.
Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App
Download from iOS App Store or Google Play Store, then link to the Switch console
Nintendo's dedicated smartphone app lets you set play time limits, view play activity, restrict games by age rating, and control online communication. It provides daily summaries of your child's gaming activity.
Restriction Level
Parental Controls app > Console Settings > Restriction Level
Nintendo provides pre-configured restriction levels that set appropriate game age ratings and feature restrictions in one step. You can also customise settings individually.
Play Time Limit
Parental Controls app > Play Time Limit
Sets a daily play time allowance. In 'Alarm only' mode, the console displays a notification when time is up. In 'Suspend software' mode, the game is paused and the console locks when the limit is reached.