Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat to Require Phone Number Verification

Nintendo Switch 2's GameChat feature will mandate phone number verification during setup.

Nintendo's integrated video calling software is a flagship feature of the Nintendo Switch 2, included in every console.

Users must verify their identity by submitting a phone number to Nintendo (or use the one linked to their Nintendo Account) to activate GameChat.

Nintendo will send a text message to the provided number, linking GameChat activity to it. So, stay courteous!

For users under 16, GameChat access is restricted until a parent or guardian enables it via the Parental Controls app, requiring their phone number for verification.

According to Nintendo’s website, as noted by Eurogamer, all Nintendo Account holders may need to verify their phone number for Switch 2, even on shared devices. IGN has reached out to Nintendo for clarification.

GameChat can be launched anytime during gameplay by pressing the new 'C' button on Switch 2 controllers, supporting video chats for up to four users or audio calls for up to 24.

In video calls, players can use a separately sold camera peripheral to share their feed or stream their gameplay. This marks Nintendo’s first venture into such services, catching up with competitors’ online offerings.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

Digital Foundry recently detailed the Nintendo Switch 2’s final specs, noting that GameChat significantly impacts system resources, raising concerns among developers.

Digital Foundry revealed that Nintendo offers developers a GameChat testing tool to simulate API latency and L3 cache misses, allowing testing without active GameChat sessions.

Questions remain about whether GameChat affects game performance when enabled. If its resources are part of the system’s allocation, there should be no impact. However, the existence of emulation tools suggests developers must account for some performance hit.

As Digital Foundry noted: “We’re curious to see how GameChat may affect game performance, as this appears to concern developers.” The full impact will be clear when Switch 2 launches on June 5.

As a reminder, GameChat will be free for the first 10 months after the Switch 2’s release. Starting April 1, 2026, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

This week, we saw the first Switch 2 game cartridge and learned that Samsung is reportedly eager to supply OLED screens for a potential Switch 2 upgrade.