Trainers,
The Explorer Gadget is evolving with new updates to expand your Pokémon GO adventure even further!
If you are new to the Explorer Gadget, learn more about it here or from Niantic Support’s “What is the Explorer Gadget?”.
Alongside this update to the Explorer Gadget, we’re excited to share a summary of recent gameplay adjustments and quality-of-life updates that have recently rolled out in Pokémon GO!
Use the Explorer Gadget While You Actively Play Pokémon GO
The Explorer Gadget will continue to automatically attempt to catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops while you explore the real world with Pokémon GO not actively open on your device.
But now, the Explorer Gadget will also aid you while you’re actively playing!
Trainers at level 20 and higher can still tap the Explorer Gadget icon on the top right of their map view (or find it in the Key Items section of the Item Bag) to activate it.* While Trainers are actively playing Pokémon GO with the Explorer Gadget turned on, Trainers will see a pink Poké Ball icon appear over Pokémon or PokéStops on the map that the Explorer Gadget is attempting to catch or spin.**
Trainers can choose to attempt to catch a given Pokémon or spin PokéStops for themselves by simply tapping on the given Pokémon or PokéStop that the Explorer Gadget is engaging with.***
You can easily check a summary of which Pokémon were caught by the Explorer Gadget and how many PokéStops were spun by selecting the Explorer Gadget icon from the map view (or from the Key Items section in your Item Bag).
Additional Pokémon GO Gameplay and Quality-of-Life Updates
- Updated Catch Summary: Upon catching Pokémon, Trainers will see an improved catch summary with improved visuals that make rewards and catch bonuses clearer.
- Dedicated Appraise Button: Quicker access to appraisal information for a Pokémon via a dedicated button above the Additional Options button on a Pokémon’s summary page.
- Power Spot Encounters: To improve the consistency of wild encounters for all players, visiting a Power Spot or placing a Pokémon at a Power Spot after winning a Max Battle will no longer trigger special wild encounters around the Power Spot.
- Encounter Ring Indicators: The ring visual surrounding wild Pokémon that are attracted by Lure Modules or encountered while exploring a Route has been updated.
- PokéStop Color Saturation: The color saturation of spun PokéStops was updated to provide clearer visual contrast with unspun PokéStops.
- Visual Effects: The effects that surround Pokémon when they’re attracted by the Mystery Box or Coin Bag have been updated.
Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated.
—The Pokémon GO team
