With the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smartphone app, you can register the console your child uses and monitor their gameplay habits via the app.
- What you'll need
- Registration procedure
- Additional settings after registration
What you'll need
- The console used by the child (Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch Lite)
- Your smartphone (or tablet), as the parent/guardian
- The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app (* Download instructions in the "Registration procedure" section below)
- Your Nintendo Account (only available to those 18 years or older)
- An Internet connection (You'll need to carry out the procedure below with your console and smartphone connected to the Internet.)
Registration procedure
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1
Turn on the console.
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2
When the screen pictured appears, press the A Button three times.
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3
Select "System Settings" from the HOME Menu.
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4
Select "Parental Controls" → "Parental Controls Settings"
*If you've already used parental controls on the console, select "Change Settings", enter your PIN, then select "Continue Setup on Smart Device" → "No".
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5
When the next screen appears, download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your smartphone. Once the download is complete, select "I've installed the app. What's next?".
*If you already have the app, there's no need to download it again.
*You can use your smartphone to read the QR code displayed on the console screen to go to the download page automatically.
*The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app download page can be found here.
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6
Launch the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your smartphone and log in using your parent/guardian Nintendo Account.
*If you don't have a Nintendo Account, you can create one using the app.
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7
After logging in, check the six-digit registration code shown on the app screen. Leave your smartphone with this screen displayed for now and proceed to the next step.
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8
This and the following few steps are carried out on the console.
Select "Enter Registration Code", enter the six-digit registration code from step 7, and press "OK". -
9
The account to which you're about to register the console will be displayed. If it's correct, select "Register".
*It's correct if the parent/guardian Nintendo Account you used to log into the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app is shown.
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10
This final step should be carried out on your smartphone.
Following the in-app instructions, set the "Play Time Limit" and "Restriction Level" and you're done.*If several children use the same console, please set restrictions according to the youngest child.
About PINs
Your PIN is automatically set upon completing the registration process. (When a parental controls PIN has already been set on the console, that PIN will be used.) The PIN is provided in an email sent to the address registered for the parent/guardian Nintendo Account once registration is complete. Please make sure your children do not see the PIN.
*You can also confirm your PIN via the app. See here for details.
