How To Reset Your Forgotten Nintendo Parental Controls PIN in 2024
Have you forgotten the PIN for the parental controls on your Nintendo Switch? Don’t worry, you can easily reset the PIN and regain access. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to reset your Nintendo Switch parental controls PIN using either the Nintendo Switch itself or the companion smartphone app.
What Are Nintendo Switch Parental Controls?
The Nintendo Switch has a built-in parental controls system that lets parents set restrictions on what games can be played, limit play time, and more.
To set up parental controls, you first choose a 4-8 digit PIN. This PIN then needs to be entered whenever changes are made to the parental control settings or before playing restricted games.
So if you forget the PIN, you won’t be able to adjust any settings or disable the parental controls. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to reset the PIN if forgotten.
How to Find Your Forgotten Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN
If you think you might remember your old PIN but aren’t 100% sure, start by trying to find it before attempting a full reset.
The easiest way is to check the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your smartphone if you have it set up.
- Open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your iPhone or Android device.
- Tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Tap on PIN.
- You should now see the Current PIN displayed.
If you don’t have the app, you can also try entering your best guess directly on the Switch in System Settings > Parental Controls.
How to Reset A Parental Controls PIN
Time Needed : 5 minutes
If the Nintendo Switch is not linked to the Parental Controls Application, you can reset the PIN from the console instead. The detailed steps are shown below for your reference.
Go to the Home screen of your console.
The home screen is usually where you can find most of the games installed on your console.
Select System Settings.
This contains all the menus where you can make changes.
Tap Parental Controls.
It’s the 4th option from the top.
Tap Parental Controls Settings.
You have to look at the right pane for it.
Press the X button found on the right Joy con.
You can find it at the right joycon.
Choose Next.
You will then be brought to the next screen.
Choose Next again.
This brings you to the next screen.
Press the plus (+) or minus (-) sign Button to choose Forgot PIN.
Take note of the Inquiry Number reflected as this will be required to reset the PIN.
Contact Nintendo Customer Support.
You have to provide the Inquiry Number to get a master key to be used to reset your PIN.
Press Enter Master Key on your screen.
The number will be given by the Nintendo representative.
Create a set of numbers for your new Parental Controls PIN.
You have to nominate a number you can easily remember.
Press the Home button to close the System Settings section.
The Home button can be found on the right joycon.
Tools
- JoyCon
Materials
- Nintendo Switch
Reset Nintendo Switch Parental Controls Using the Mobile App
Resetting the PIN via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smartphone app is quick and easy. Just make sure your Switch is already linked to the app before starting.
Here is how to reset the parental controls PIN using the mobile app:
- Open the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your iPhone or Android.
- Tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Settings.
- Select PIN.
- Enter your new 4-8 digit parental controls PIN in the Change PIN field.
- Tap Save to confirm the new PIN.
The next time your Switch connects to the internet, the PIN will be updated.
What If You Never Linked the Mobile App?
If you never linked your Switch to the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls mobile app, you won’t be able to view or reset the PIN through the app.
Instead, you’ll need to go through Nintendo customer support to get a PIN reset master key. Here are the steps:
- On the Switch, go to System Settings > Parental Controls and select Forgot PIN.
- Note down the 16-digit inquiry number provided.
- Contact Nintendo Support and provide the inquiry number.
- Nintendo will email you an 8-digit master key for a $0.50 fee.
- On the Switch, choose Enter Master Key and input the key.
- You can now set a new parental controls PIN.
While a bit more inconvenient, this process lets you reset the PIN without the mobile app.
Tips for Setting a New Nintendo Switch Parental Controls PIN
When choosing a new parental controls PIN, make sure to:
- Use a PIN you can easily remember or store it somewhere secure like a password manager.
- Avoid simple number combinations like 12345.
- Don’t let your kids see the PIN when you enter it.
- Consider linking the mobile app after resetting to easily manage settings.
Regain Access to Your Nintendo Switch with a Reset PIN
Forgotten parental control PINs can be frustrating, but thankfully resetting them is straightforward either directly on the Switch or through the mobile app.
Just follow the appropriate steps above based on your situation to regain access and resume using parental controls to manage your kids’ gaming. And be sure to choose an easy-to-remember PIN this time around!
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