PS5 setup checklist for parents (Switch 2 too)
Before the console comes out of the box
Do these steps on a parent's phone or on the console before the child plays. Checked against the official pages on 2026-11-14. Menus change with updates, so tap the official links to confirm. You need your own account on each service first.
PlayStation 5 (Sony)
Create a family and add your child as a family member. Sony's page links to its Set up your family guide.
Console: Settings, Family and Parental Controls, Family Management. Select the child, then the control you want.
Set the age level for games and apps for that child (same child menu).
Set the Monthly Spending Limit: child, Parental Controls, Monthly Spending Limit. Sony says the default is 0.
Your child must finish email verification and be signed in on their console for controls to take effect.
Nintendo Switch 2 (Nintendo)
Console: System Settings, then Parental Controls, then Set Up Parental Controls.
Pick Restriction Level: a preset by age, or Custom Settings.
Create a PIN of 4 to 8 digits and enter it again to confirm.
Link the console to the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone. Nintendo says the app is required for GameChat for children under 16.
In the app, open Parental Controls (lower right) to set Play-Time Limit, GameChat, Restricted Features or Allow List. Tap Save after each change.
Nintendo says many controls apply to the whole console, so set them for the youngest player. Restrictions take effect once the console connects online. Nintendo also says a parent account can restrict spending or limit eShop content by age: see its support page.
Xbox (Microsoft)
Install the free Xbox Family Settings app on a phone (iOS or Android).
In the app: set screen time schedules, review activity reports and manage who your child can play with.
Ask to Buy: you get an app notification when a child asks to buy a game they lack funds for.
Two quick habits that are our suggestion, not the manufacturers': agree the play hours with your child before day one, and keep the PIN or passcode somewhere your child cannot see.
Not affiliated
Independent checklist written with AI help. PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox are trademarks of their owners. We are not endorsed by Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft. Tell us if a menu has changed.
A step is wrong or missing?
Send us a note and we will fix this slate.
Before the console comes out of the box
Do these steps on a parent's phone or on the console before the child plays. Checked against the official pages on 2026-11-14. Menus change with updates, so tap the official links to confirm. You need your own account on each service first.
PlayStation 5 (Sony)
Create a family and add your child as a family member. Sony's page links to its Set up your family guide.
Console: Settings, Family and Parental Controls, Family Management. Select the child, then the control you want.
Set the age level for games and apps for that child (same child menu).
Set the Monthly Spending Limit: child, Parental Controls, Monthly Spending Limit. Sony says the default is 0.
Your child must finish email verification and be signed in on their console for controls to take effect.
Nintendo Switch 2 (Nintendo)
Console: System Settings, then Parental Controls, then Set Up Parental Controls.
Pick Restriction Level: a preset by age, or Custom Settings.
Create a PIN of 4 to 8 digits and enter it again to confirm.
Link the console to the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone. Nintendo says the app is required for GameChat for children under 16.
In the app, open Parental Controls (lower right) to set Play-Time Limit, GameChat, Restricted Features or Allow List. Tap Save after each change.
Nintendo says many controls apply to the whole console, so set them for the youngest player. Restrictions take effect once the console connects online. Nintendo also says a parent account can restrict spending or limit eShop content by age: see its support page.
Xbox (Microsoft)
Install the free Xbox Family Settings app on a phone (iOS or Android).
In the app: set screen time schedules, review activity reports and manage who your child can play with.
Ask to Buy: you get an app notification when a child asks to buy a game they lack funds for.
Two quick habits that are our suggestion, not the manufacturers': agree the play hours with your child before day one, and keep the PIN or passcode somewhere your child cannot see.
Not affiliated
Independent checklist written with AI help. PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox are trademarks of their owners. We are not endorsed by Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft. Tell us if a menu has changed.
A step is wrong or missing?
Send us a note and we will fix this slate.