How to Make Your Nintendo Account Unsupervised: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re ready to unshackle your Nintendo Account from parental controls and explore the vast world of gaming freedom? You’ve come to the right place! Lifting supervision from a Nintendo Account is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to understand the requirements and steps involved. Here’s the direct answer:
To remove supervision from a Nintendo Account, you need to log in to the admin or parent/guardian Nintendo Account within the family group. Then, navigate to the “Family group” section. Select the Nintendo Account that you wish to make unsupervised and choose the option to “Lift parental controls restrictions.” Keep in mind this is only possible if the account holder is 16 years of age or older and has a registered email address linked to their Nintendo Account. If those conditions are not met, the parental controls cannot be removed using this method.
Now, let’s dive deeper with some frequently asked questions to address all your concerns!
Understanding Nintendo Account Supervision: FAQs
How do I access the Family Group settings on my Nintendo Account?
Accessing your Family Group is key to managing supervised accounts. You’ll need to log in to the Nintendo Account that is designated as the admin for the family group. This is typically the parent or guardian’s account. Once logged in on the Nintendo website, look for the “Family group” option, which is often located under your account settings or profile menu. Click on it to manage the members of your family group and their individual settings.
What does it mean for a Nintendo Account to be “supervised”?
A supervised Nintendo Account is an account that is linked to a parent or guardian’s account within a Family Group. This allows the parent or guardian to set parental controls, such as restricting access to certain games, limiting online communication, or managing spending in the Nintendo eShop. Supervised accounts are typically assigned to children aged 12 and under automatically, but can also be applied to older users (under 16) at the parent’s discretion. Supervised accounts can still use standard features like the eShop and My Nintendo, but they cannot perform administrative functions within the Family Group.
My child is over 16, but I still can’t lift the parental controls. Why?
The most common reason for this is the lack of a registered email address associated with the child’s Nintendo Account. Even if your child is over 16, Nintendo requires a verified email address before parental controls can be lifted. Go into your child’s account settings (through the parent account), and make sure a valid email address has been added and verified. You may need to temporarily change the email to one you control to receive the verification link if your child doesn’t have their own yet. Once verified, you should be able to remove the supervision.
Can I transfer a child’s Nintendo Account to a different family group?
Yes, you can move a child’s Nintendo Account to another Family Group. However, the account admin (parent or guardian) of the new Family Group must be at least 18 years old. This allows for situations where a child might be living with different relatives or guardians.
Can I change a Nintendo Account from a child account entirely?
Once a Nintendo Account is created as a child account, it doesn’t automatically convert into a general account when the user turns 18. However, once the user turns 13 they can change the email address to their own with parental consent.
What are the differences between a Nintendo Account and a Nintendo Network ID?
This is a source of common confusion. A Nintendo Account is a more recent system used for Nintendo Switch and newer online services, including the eShop, My Nintendo, and smart device applications. A Nintendo Network ID (NNID) was used for older systems like the Wii U and 3DS. While NNIDs can be linked to Nintendo Accounts, they are not the same thing. Child accounts can be linked to an NNID, but they cannot be linked to Google or Apple IDs.
If I delete a child’s Nintendo Account, what happens to their game progress and purchases?
Deleting a child’s Nintendo Account will result in the loss of all associated game progress, digital purchases, and My Nintendo points. Any child accounts managed through a parent/guardian’s Nintendo Account will also be deleted. However, you have a 30-day window to reactivate the account after deletion. After this period, the account is permanently removed and cannot be restored.
Can my child play online with a supervised Nintendo Account?
Yes! Supervised Nintendo Accounts can play online, especially if the family has a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership. This allows up to eight Nintendo Accounts within a Family Group to use online services. Parental controls can still be used to set restrictions on online communication and interactions for each supervised account.
What age does my child need to be to create their own general Nintendo Account?
General Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users who are 13 years of age or older and possess their own email address. Nintendo Accounts for children can be created for users age 0 through 17.
How many Nintendo Accounts can I link to a single Nintendo Switch console?
You can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console. This allows multiple family members or users to have their own profiles and game saves on the same device.
What’s the difference between a Nintendo Account and a “switch account”?
While there’s no such thing as a “Switch account,” it’s easy to understand the source of confusion! A Nintendo Account is used to access online services like the eShop, My Nintendo, and Nintendo Switch Online. User profiles on the Nintendo Switch console are linked to Nintendo Accounts. These profiles allow users to play games, save progress, and customize their experience on the console.
If I deregister my Nintendo Switch console, what happens to my Nintendo Account?
Deregistering a Nintendo Switch console does not delete or affect your Nintendo Account. Deregistering simply means that the console is no longer designated as the primary console for your Nintendo Account. This affects how you can download and play digital games purchased with your account on other consoles.
Can I use the same Nintendo Account on two different Nintendo Switch consoles?
You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles, but you can only have one primary console at a time. On a non-primary console, you’ll need an active internet connection and will only be able to play downloaded games while logged in with your Nintendo Account.
Can I have two separate Nintendo Accounts with the same email address?
No, only one email address can be linked to a single Nintendo Account. If you try to register a second account with the same email, the system will recognize that the email is already in use. You will need to use a different email address for each separate Nintendo Account.
Can a Nintendo child account play my games?
Digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them. On your primary console, all users will be able to play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console. On non-primary consoles, only the Nintendo Account that purchased the game can play it, and they must be connected to the internet.
By following these steps and understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions, you can confidently manage your Nintendo Accounts and navigate the world of parental controls! With your Nintendo Account now unsupervised, you can explore the full range of features and games available on the Nintendo Switch! Remember, responsible gaming is always key!
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