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How to Set Up Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch

Instead of watching the clock or nagging from the next room, a few settings let the Switch itself manage play time and age-appropriate content automatically.

  1. Install the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app

    Download the dedicated app onto the parent's smartphone from the app store.

  2. Set a daily play-time limit

    Choose how long play is allowed on each day of the week, and decide whether it ends with a warning or an automatic suspend.

  3. Restrict content by age rating

    Set a maximum content rating appropriate for your child's age to block games or eShop content above that level.

  4. Changes require approval from the parent app

    Changes to parental control settings require approval through the parent's app, so a child can't quietly loosen the restrictions from the console itself.

  5. Why this matters

    Instead of supervising every session in person, limits and content restrictions run automatically once they're set up.

Helping kids build healthy play habits

Instead of someone timing every session or stepping in to nag, a warning or automatic stop kicks in once the set time is reached, which helps kids build their own sense of time management.

Ratings vary by region

Age ratings use different systems depending on where you are β€” ESRB in North America, PEGI in Europe, and similar region-specific boards elsewhere β€” so check which system your console's eShop uses before setting a restriction level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child change the settings without me knowing?

No β€” changing parental control settings requires approval through the parent's app, so a child can't alter them directly from the console.

Can I set different limits for multiple children?

Yes, each user profile on the console can have its own separate play-time limit and content rating restriction.