How to set up parental controls on a Nintendo Switch

Step 1: Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app

1. Install Nintendo Switch Parental Controls on your phone and sign in with your Nintendo Account.
2. On the Switch, go to System Settings › Parental Controls and enter the registration code from the app.
3. In the app, set a daily play time limit, choose Suspend Software if you want the game to stop when time's up, and pick the restriction level by age.

Step 2: Online play, bedtime and homework time

The Switch connects online for multiplayer games like Fortnite, Splatoon and Minecraft, and for the eShop. Set up Sheepdog Filter on your home Wi‑Fi router to switch that off at bedtime or during homework, or set it on the console:

Can't change your router? Set it on the console

Every major console lets you type a DNS address by hand. In your Sheepdog Filter dashboard, open Devices › + Protect something › Everyone at home. That links your home internet and shows your DNS address. Type that address into the console as below, and leave the secondary DNS empty (or the same address if it insists). It works while the console is on your home internet.

Nintendo Switch

1. Open System Settings › Internet › Internet Settings and choose your Wi‑Fi network.
2. Choose Change Settings › DNS Settings › Manual.
3. Enter your address as Primary DNS, then choose Save.