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Topic: Switch not registering playtime correctly

Posts 1 to 12 of 12

Moroboshi876

I tried to search if this issue was already discussed, but no success.

The thing is I use the parental control app to keep track of my exact time spent on games, and sometimes, lately a little more often don't know why, although I always select a user when I start a game, I've been playing but the playtime is given to "no user selected".

It doesn't prevent me from playing and enjoying games, but time tracking is a feature I like on the Switch, and this issue defeats the purpose.

Does anybody have the same issue?

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

DTMOF84

Never had that problem on my Switch. Strange.

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Moroboshi876

@DTMOF84 I think it has to do with connection problems. I experienced it when I use my cell's hotspot when I commute, and if I have to put the Switch on sleep mode, when I turn it on again a connection loss error message pops up before it connects again.

I think that moment is what messes it up. It happens to me on days I've been using hotspot connection. But not always.

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

Heavyarms55

I recently picked my 3DS back up and used the activity log to see how long it had been since I played it. Nintendo got the activity log perfect on the 3DS. It utterly baffles me why they didn't just drop the pedometer function and throw the exact same one into the Switch. Not only could you see your playtime daily going all the way back to purchase, but you can see it by average playtime per software, times opened, and overall total. At the bare minimum the Switch at least tracks total playtime because we can see the "played 15 hours or more" on our profiles. We should have a simple app to at least show us that, and it shouldn't be limited to a parental control app on a phone!

Nintendo Switch FC: 4867-2891-2493
Switch username: Em
Discord: Heavyarms55#1475
Pokemon Go FC: 3838 2595 7596
PSN: Heavyarms55zx

Moroboshi876

@Heavyarms55 You're absolutely right. They got it perfect there, but somehow they managed to do a step backwards. 15 or more could be 15:01 or 19:59, so it should be at least hour-accurate.

I too use the app, but it has a huge problem if you ask me: if you switch regions in order to get the cheapest price for a digital game -I'm the kind of person who wants to pay less, sorry-, when you return to your region and try to sync the console with Facebook in order to see if there are new people on Switch, a message prompts you to disable the app. And you can't just temporarily disable it: you have to disable it for good. In doing so, if you want to pair it with the Switch again... it starts from scratch, renamed as Switch #2 (or #3, or whatever number you're given according to how many times you have done it). So you lose all the data from previous days and months.

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

Heavyarms55

@Moroboshi876 I'd encourage you just to make throwaway accounts for that purpose. My main account is my American one, since I've had it since long before I moved to Japan, but I have a side Japanese account that I make all my Japanese purchases from. It's a small hassle to set up, but certainly more convient than switching regions every time you want to do that. lol

And heck, they didn't manage to go one step back, I'd say more like 2 or 3.

Nintendo Switch FC: 4867-2891-2493
Switch username: Em
Discord: Heavyarms55#1475
Pokemon Go FC: 3838 2595 7596
PSN: Heavyarms55zx

Moroboshi876

@Heavyarms55 I used to, but I decided to drop them. I didn't like to have multiple accounts on my interface. I created two long ago because I had money in my account and when that happens you either can't switch regions or just lose your money, but I didn't like to have several accounts, so I let one go (with 2 games in it, which was the strong point, I guess) and kept the other, which is the Mexican, because I had already bought several games with it, and it uses a different Paypal account anyway.

I prefer not being able to keep track of my playtime, frankly. Now it's more convenient to me to switch regions and back, all in 5 minutes.

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

erv

Hm, never had issues with its use, but I can guarantee it's not accurate lol. I suspect it resets counting active sessions when you enter the home menu. Which is what I do when checking the time, which means that, probably, the only games that are somewhat accurate in their estimates are the online only ones. No way I finished zelda in a first run of 30 hours lol

Switch code: SW-0397-5211-6428
PlayStation: genetic-eternal

Moroboshi876

@erv Another issue I had wasn't about connecting and disconnecting: Neo Turf Master has been played by me for about 2 hours according to them. I can guarantee you it's been more like between 5 and 10 hours.

But this means it's a problem I have with Hamster games... Hm... I guess sometimes they don't ask you what user are you going to select and this is what happens.

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

erv

@Moroboshi876 haha I can only imagine how your counters are more messed up than mine, seeing as I have just the single user set up. Honestly, your stats are probably even less reliable

Switch code: SW-0397-5211-6428
PlayStation: genetic-eternal

Moroboshi876

@erv Well, it shouldn't be that way. I have another account for Mexico, but only for buying. And an account for my wife, which hasn't been used. One user profile can play any of the games in the system, no matter who bought them. And that's what I do.

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

Moroboshi876

Well, I've identified the problem. At least a little better. Whenever I'm playing on the bus I use my cell phone as a wifi hotspot, but what happens if I put the Switch on sleep mode and the next time I use it I'm connected to another wifi, say my home's one? It briefly disconnects and from that point onwards it starts to register the playtime as No user selected.

But even if I do it right, many times the play time is assigned to No user selected, thus affecting the time statistics on my profile. It happens a lot with Hamster games, which for some reason tend to disconnect from the internet.

Switch code: SW-2291-6286-4620

Nintendo 3DS code: 2879-0476-7598

My Nintendo: Toni | X:

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