Nintendo has always been careful with online features and is focusing even more on safety with the Switch 2.
The new GameChat feature coming with the next console won’t be just a basic communication tool. Users must register a unique phone number to their Nintendo account before activating it.
It’s a non-negotiable part of the terms of service. But does this added step actually make the experience safer? On the outside, it looks like a smart move.
Why Does Nintendo Require Phone Number Registration for Gamechat?
Nintendo uses phone number verification on GameChat to block abusive behavior. It’s a deterrent—especially for repeat offenders or bad actors who rely on anonymity to harass others.
If someone misuses the feature, Nintendo now has more tools to trace the account, verify identity, and prevent the same number from being used again. This backs up moderation and, in some cases, allows for quicker action like bans or limiting accounts.
Similar verification measures are already common on Xbox and PlayStation for parental controls or two-factor authentication, so this isn’t a new concept. What’s different here is how tightly integrated it is with one specific feature—GameChat.
What Additional Safety Measures Are in Place?
Not only does Nintendo want a phone number for security, but users under 16 also need parental approval via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Parents must use their own phone numbers to unlock access for their children, giving them oversight on who their kids talk to and when.
GameChat allows audio and video calls with up to 12 people but only among friends, and no random matchmaking is allowed. Nintendo intentionally added trust features like friend-only invites and saved short voice and video snippets if someone was reported for abuse.
Three-minute recordings kept on the server give context for moderation but don’t store whole conversations indefinitely.
Are There Any Weaknesses in Nintendo’s Phone Number Verification System?
Yes, the system isn’t bulletproof since phone numbers can be easily spoofed or acquired through cheap prepaid SIMs. It won’t stop someone who really wants to get around the rules, especially if they know how to game the system.
There’s also a concern that requiring a phone number may exclude kids who don’t have one or families that share a single number. If Nintendo only allows one number per account, it could leave younger players out of the loop unless parents go through extra steps.
What Concerns Exist Regarding Phone Number Requirements for Gamechat?
Some players don’t feel comfortable handing over their mobile numbers for a feature they may barely use, especially when third-party alternatives like Discord exist and offer more flexibility without this level of ID verification.
Even if Nintendo doesn’t sell data (or something the company has never shown signs of doing), many users remain cautious, particularly with memories of past services like Swapnote, which was shut down after being used inappropriately.
This context matters because Nintendo isn’t just being cautious without reason. Swapnote and PictoChat were once praised as innovative tools but were taken offline after reports of child exploitation. Nintendo clearly took something away from those incidents.
GameChat may seem restrictive, but those limits are rooted in real, historical failures, and the company isn’t eager to repeat them. In the end, requiring a phone number won’t stop all toxic behavior, but it may slow it down. It places just enough friction to make potential abusers think twice while giving parents and Nintendo more control.
That balance between accessibility and security is hard to strike, but it looks like Nintendo is trying to get ahead of the problem before it begins—something it’s failed to do in the past. How well it performs depends on enforcement and how players take to it, but it’s a good foundation.
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