Summary
TheNintendo Switchhas a companion app for parents that, when paired with your console, allows you to monitor what your kids are playing while on the Switch as well as set time limits on their game time. However,Nintendohas revealed that app hasn’t been tracking play time properly since at least Sunday, and that the problems with its Switch parental controls have been ongoing since the middle of last week.
Nintendo revealed there have been issues with its parental controls app via a thread on its Japanese Twitter account (thanks,VGC). In an apology to Switch owners who rely on the app to keep an eye on what their kids are playing and for how long, Nintendo noted that the amount of time your Switch has been in use will not have been accurately tracked by the app. It also notes that the issue causing problems with the app occurred on the morning of October 9.
In the last few hours, Nintendo appears to have fixed the problem with the app. However, it has noted that time tracked while the issue was active cannot be rectified and likely isn’t accurate.
If you use the app and you’ve been wondering why it feels like your kids have been spending more time on the Switch these past few days, this might explain why. Even if it doesn’t feel that way, or you don’t even use the app, I’m permitting you to kick them off the Switch if they’re using it right now. Go on, it’s your turn. Link isn’t going to save himself from The Still World.
Nintendo Has Been Having Issues With Its Parental Controls App
Nintendo’s Parental Controls App gives parents several ways to monitor and limit their children’s screen time. When they hit their limit, an alarm will appear on the screen, giving them a chance to save their progress rather than the console just shutting down. There are ways to make that happen through the app if the time limit warnings are ignored, though. The app also tracks how long your kids have played certain games and limits can be set on which games they’re allowed to play, although again, any data tracked during the past week is probably not to be trusted.
Fixing the app likely hasn’t been a top priority for Nintendo this week as it continues preparations for a mystery playtest a select group of Switch owners have been invited to take part in. The invitees will be sworn to secrecy on what exactly the test is for when it takes place andhave had to sign an NDA to be a part of it. While not directly connected to Nintendo, I imaginethe Game Freak leakhas caused quite a headache for it this week too, particularly with the Switch 2’s codename among the information that was made public.
