Set parental controls on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch

Use each console maker's free phone app to set play time limits, spending limits and who your child can talk to.

⏱ About 15 minutes · 4 steps · ▶ 3 videos
What you'll need
  • Your phone
  • Your own account for the console (Microsoft, PlayStation or Nintendo)
  • About 15 minutes

  1. Get the free app for your console

    Xbox: Xbox Family Settings app. PlayStation: PlayStation Family app. Nintendo Switch / Switch 2: Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Download it on your phone and sign in with your own account.

  2. Link your child's account or console

    Follow the app's steps to add your child (Xbox, PlayStation) or link the console (Nintendo).

  3. Set play time limits

    All three let you set daily play time. On PlayStation, your child can ask for more time and you approve or decline from your phone. On Nintendo, an alarm appears when time's up, and you can set the game to stop automatically.

  4. Control spending, content and chat

    Set age limits for games and turn off or limit purchases. Choose who your child can message or play with online. Xbox and PlayStation also show activity reports.

    💡 Tip: Turn on purchase requests so you get a notification instead of a surprise bill.
🎉 All done!

Also see Roblox parental controls and approve kids' app purchases. Menu names change as apps update. These steps were checked against official help pages in October 2026.

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Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.