Pokémon GO Accessories
Updated
Want auto-catching? There are two official ways.
Explorer Gadget
Free
- Trainer level 20 and up
- Poké Balls only
- Daily catch limit
Pokémon GO Plus +
Great and Ultra Balls
- Auto-throw on species you've caught
- Button throws use the ball you pick
- Tracks sleep
What to buy
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Pokémon GO Plus +
It plays with your phone asleep and logs every catch in your Journal. Pair it and a Special Research ends with Snorlax in a nightcap. Official site
- AutoRegular Poké Balls, species you've caught
- ButtonThe ball you pick, Great and Ultra included
- 3½ hUSB-C charge, lithium-ion
- 50 gStrap and clip in the box, no wall adapter
One throw per catch, no Berries, no Premier Balls. Needs Android 7+ or an iPhone 7+ on iOS 14+. Source
GO Plus vs Plus + vs Explorer Gadget
All three devices spin PokéStops and throw on a button press.
| Pokémon GO Plus | Poké Ball Plus | Pokémon GO Plus + | Explorer Gadget | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-catch | No | No | Species you've caught before | Species in your Pokédex, up to a daily limit |
| Ball used | Regular Poké Balls | Regular Poké Balls | Button: your pick. Auto: regular Poké Balls | Poké Balls only |
| Auto-spin | No | Yes, after a transfer from Let's Go | Yes | Yes |
Explorer Gadget
Catches and spins with the app closed while you walk. The limit scales with Trainer level. Announcement
Catch one Oricorio style and it'll go for the other three.
It can't run with a paired accessory. Switch mid-day and it's off until tomorrow. Source
Third-party auto catchers
Not official. The help center lists three devices: GO Plus, Poké Ball Plus and GO Plus +. Scopely's policy treats unauthorized add-ons as cheating.
The policy wording and the penalties
“accessing game clients or backends in an unauthorized manner, including through the use of third-party software or add-ons.”
- WarningAbout 7 days
- SuspensionAbout 30 days
- BanPermanent
Some offenses skip straight to termination. Source
Battery drain
- Battery SaverIn the game's settings. Blanks the screen when the phone points down and keeps counting distance. Source
- Phone saver modeA different thing. It can affect Adventure Sync's distance tracking. Source
Anker Nano Power Bank 5K
22.5W, built-in USB-C connector, model A1653
- 100 g
- Plugs straight into a USB-C phone
The lightest of the three, for a short walk.
Anker Nano Power Bank 10K
30W, built-in USB-C cable, model A1259
- 215 g
- USB-C cable built in
Twice the charge of the 5K. The cable can't be left at home.
Check Anker Nano 10K price on AmazonAnker Power Bank 20K
87W, built-in USB-C cable, model A1383
- 431 g
- USB-C cable built in
Twice the 10K's charge at twice the weight.
Check Anker 20K price on AmazonWant pass-through (charging your phone while the pack charges)? Pick one whose maker lists it.
Walking with the phone out
Scopely asks players on the go to watch for traffic, other people and obstacles. Source
Smartish Case Clinger Wrist Strap
Needs a full-framed phone case
- Rotating carabiner
- Leaves the charging port clear
Keeps the phone on your wrist when it's out for a catch.
Check Smartish wrist strap price on AmazonPopSockets PopGrip
Sticks to smooth hard cases of plastic, metal or glass
- Swappable top
- Not for silicone or soft cases
A finger hold on the back for one-handed throws.
Check PopSockets PopGrip price on AmazonPhone requirements
The game's minimums, from the help center. Source
- iOS 15iPhone 6s or later, not jailbroken
- Android 9720 x 1280 preferred, not rooted
- 2GBRAM, plus GPS and Wi-Fi or 5G
- iPhone 7Minimum for a GO Plus +
Older phones may show fog on the horizon. Many tablets have no GPS.
Accessory news from Scopely
Questions people ask
What's the difference between the Pokémon GO Plus and the Plus +?
Both alert you to nearby Pokémon and PokéStops and act on a button press. Only the Plus + has Auto-throw, lets button throws use a ball you pick, and tracks sleep. Auto-spin is on the Plus + and the Poké Ball Plus.
Is there an auto catcher that uses Great Balls and Ultra Balls?
The Pokémon GO Plus + does, on button throws: you choose the ball in the game's Connected Devices settings. Its Auto-throw setting uses regular Poké Balls, and so does the Explorer Gadget.
Can you get banned for a third-party auto catcher?
Scopely's fairness policy counts “accessing game clients or backends in an unauthorized manner, including through the use of third-party software or add-ons” as cheating, under a three-strike policy that ends in a permanent ban. The help center names three official devices.
Do I still need a GO Plus + now that the Explorer Gadget exists?
The Explorer Gadget is free and built in from Trainer level 20, throws only Poké Balls and stops at a daily limit. The Plus + can throw Great Balls and Ultra Balls on a button press and tracks sleep. The two can't be active at the same time.
What phone do I need for Pokémon GO in 2026?
An iPhone 6s or later on iOS 15 or later, or an Android phone on Android 9 or later, with 2GB of RAM, GPS and a strong connection. Jailbroken and rooted phones aren't supported. A GO Plus + needs an iPhone 7 or newer.
How do I stop Pokémon GO draining my battery?
Turn on Battery Saver in the game's settings: it switches the display off while the phone points down and keeps counting distance. An accessory or the Explorer Gadget lets you play with the screen off entirely.
How does GO Plus + sleep tracking work?
Hold the button at bedtime, lay it flat near your pillow, and hold it again when you wake. Rewards need at least three hours tracked and come once a day. Help center