How to Set Up Nintendo Switch Parental Controls
To set up parental controls, you need to get to a certain menu within the system settings. However, once you reach that part, things change depending on whether you’re using your smartphone and the accompanying Nintendo app, or you want to set up parental controls solely via the games console. Here’s how to get that far.
How to Set Up the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Using the App
Downloading the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app takes a few moments, but it’s worth doing as you benefit from more features.
How to Set Up the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Without the App
Don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to link it to your Nintendo Switch? You can still use a limited form of parental controls.
What Each Parental Controls Setting Does
There are multiple things you can limit on the Nintendo Switch, regardless of whether you have it linked to the smartphone app or not. In each case, you can limit these options individually depending on what you need to restrict. You can limit:
What games can be used depending on their age certification?What games are used depending on the content rating system they use, such as PEGI or ESRB?Whether screenshots or videos can be posted to social networks like Twitter or Facebook.Whether your child can freely communicate via messages or profile information with other Switch users.
Whether VR mode works with applicable software like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey.
The Benefits of Using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Smartphone App
If you have the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smartphone app linked to your Switch, you have extra options:
Daily limit: You’re able to set a daily playtime limit in 15-minute increments. This is ideal if you want your child to only play for a set length of time each day.
Activity: You can view your child’s Nintendo Switch play activity. You can see how long they’ve spent playing each game, as well as view a monthly summary so you can see what patterns are emerging.
Notifications: You can set up notifications on your smartphone so you receive messages whenever your child is using their Switch or doing anything they shouldn’t be doing.
How to Switch Off Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Temporarily
How to Turn Off Parental Controls Permanently
Want to turn off Parental Controls permanently? Here’s how when you’re using the smartphone app.
