Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCreate your child’s Nintendo Account from your adult account’s Family group: go to accounts.nintendo.com, open Family group, then select Add a member and Create an account for a child. After creation, use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app for play-time limits and many console restrictions; set eShop purchase restrictions in Nintendo Account settings.
Before you start: child accounts and family groups
Nintendo says a child account can be created for a user up to age 17, and it must belong to a family group. The steps for parental consent and age verification can vary by country or region, so follow the prompts shown for your account’s region. Nintendo’s child-account FAQ
A family group can have up to eight users. It has one admin and may include parent/guardian, general and supervised members. Only the admin can transfer the admin role; parent/guardian status is available only to a non-supervised account holder aged 18 or older. Supervised accounts cannot change family-group settings. Nintendo’s family-group overview Nintendo’s role-assignment guidance
Create the child’s Nintendo Account
- Sign in as the adult family-group admin. Visit accounts.nintendo.com and sign in, or create an adult Nintendo Account first. The child account is created through this adult account’s family group, not as a separate, isolated account. Nintendo’s account-creation steps
- Open the family-group controls. Select Family group, then Add a member and Create an account for a child. If the group already has eight members, a member must leave before another can be added.
- Enter the child’s details. Nintendo’s instructions specify a nickname of 10 characters or fewer, a sign-in ID and password, and other requested details. In this support flow, the sign-in ID must be at least six characters, begin with a letter rather than a number, use lowercase letters, and contain no spaces or punctuation except dashes or underscores. The password must be at least eight characters and combine characters from two categories. Gender is optional where offered.
- Submit the account form. Review and accept the Nintendo Account User Agreement and Privacy Policy, select Submit, then OK. Give the child the sign-in ID and password securely.
- Complete any parental-consent step. The method depends on region. Nintendo documents a route using an email link and another that can use a one-time $0.50 credit-card verification charge when that option is presented. Do not assume the charge or method applies in every country; use the consent instructions shown on screen. Nintendo’s child-account instructions Nintendo’s consent guidance
- Use any email verification code promptly. Nintendo says an account-creation code expires after 24 hours. If it expires or fails, restart account creation to generate another code. Nintendo’s verification-code guidance
How to supervise the account and add another adult
Once created, the child appears in the adult’s Family group. From there, the adult can manage child-account settings, including the password. The family group is the account-level place for managing membership and eligible roles; it is separate from the child’s local user profile on a console.
If another adult will supervise, that person needs an eligible non-supervised Nintendo Account aged 18 or older to hold parent/guardian status. The family-group admin assigns the role. Nintendo’s Parental Controls app also supports shared monitoring: two parents or guardians can use their own devices to view activity and set limits, according to Nintendo’s app update notes for version 2.6.0, released September 14, 2026. Nintendo’s role guidance Nintendo’s family-group overview Nintendo’s app update information
Where to set play-time, content and purchase restrictions
The right control depends on whether you are limiting console activity or restricting the account’s online purchases and content. Nintendo’s setup documentation describes these controls across the console, the free smart-device app and Nintendo Account family-group settings. Nintendo’s Parental Controls overview
| Control location | Examples of settings | Scope and requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app | Daily play-time limits, bedtime, gameplay history, suspending play when time expires, age-rating restrictions, communication restrictions, selected Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat controls and per-game overrides | Console activity and restrictions managed through a smart device. The free app is compatible with iOS and Android; an adult parent or guardian aged 18 or older needs a Nintendo Account to use it. Nintendo’s app page Nintendo’s app support page |
| Nintendo Switch system settings | Core age-rating and communication restrictions; social-media restrictions on Nintendo Switch | Some basic controls can be configured directly on the console without a smart device. Nintendo’s Parental Controls overview |
| Nintendo Account family-group settings | eShop purchase and viewing restrictions, friend suggestions, and certain information-sharing or linked-service controls | Account-level controls managed through Nintendo Account settings rather than play-time settings in the app. Nintendo’s Parental Controls overview |
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app works with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists version 2.6.0, released September 14, 2026, as adding shared monitoring for two parents or guardians. Play-time limits are app-only; eShop purchase restrictions remain in Nintendo Account settings. Nintendo’s app download and update information
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Link the Nintendo Account to a console user
A Nintendo Account and a console’s local user profile are different things. Create the child’s Nintendo Account first; then, when setting up the child’s user on the console, follow the on-screen instructions to link that account. Creating the account alone does not create or link the console profile.
Quick Recap
Fix common setup problems
- “Add a member” is missing: Check that you are signed in as the family-group admin. Nintendo says only the admin sees this option. Nintendo’s account-creation steps
- The family group is full: It supports up to eight members, so a current member must leave before another account can be added. Nintendo’s family-group overview
- The consent screen differs from instructions you have seen: Consent methods and age thresholds vary by region. Follow the current screen for the child’s account rather than assuming one payment or verification route is universal. Nintendo’s consent guidance
- The verification code has expired: Restart account creation to request a new code; Nintendo says these codes expire after 24 hours. Nintendo’s verification-code guidance
- A second adult needs access: Have the family-group admin assign parent/guardian status if the adult is eligible, then use the app’s shared-monitoring feature. Nintendo’s role guidance Nintendo’s app update information
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