May 26, 2025, 12:50 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Nintendo Switch 2 Players Will Need to Provide Phone Numbers for New GameChat—But Why?
When Nintendo’s new console finally hits the market soon, it will offer many new features. One of them is GameChat for the Nintendo Switch 2, which requires players to provide their phone numbers. This may seem unusual, but there is a specific reason for it, as the company itself explains.
GameChat for Nintendo Switch 2 Requires Number
Among the many innovations of the upcoming hardware is the so-called GameChat for the Nintendo Switch 2. As the name suggests, it is a feature for quick and easy communication among friends. Up to twelve people can chat while playing. You can also share your screen, even if others are playing something else. With a compatible camera, you can also see each other.
However, Nintendo has already announced some inconveniences. For instance, the new C-button on the Switch 2 will become useless for many in the long run if a certain condition is not met. Additionally, as the manufacturer writes on an info page about GameChat for the Nintendo Switch 2, players must register their phone numbers in their Nintendo accounts.
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Phone Number for More Security
Furthermore, registration requires SMS verification. To ensure it reaches the correct recipient, providing your own number is necessary.
This is intended as an “additional security measure,” especially concerning children under 16. The number should primarily be registered in a parent’s account. Additionally, only people from your own friends list can participate in a GameChat session. In an emergency, users can report others to initiate a potential account suspension.
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Fans are reacting with mixed feelings online to this requirement. On Reddit, for example, users are complaining and stating they simply won’t use GameChat on the Nintendo Switch 2. Others seem more understanding, especially regarding the child safety feature. Additionally, some are questioning whether there are alternatives for verification.