Niantic has introduced the Explorer Gadget to Pokémon Go, a feature designed to automatically catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops, even when the game is not actively being used or the phone is locked. This functionality mirrors that of external devices like the Pokémon Go Plus +, offering a similar experience for players who may not own such accessories. Those who do own accessories can still use them, but not concurrently with the Explorer Gadget.
The Explorer Gadget is currently undergoing a phased rollout and will become available to all players over time. To unlock the feature, players must have reached Trainer Level 20 or higher. Once this requirement is met, the Explorer Gadget will be accessible from both the main map screen and the player's Item Storage.
Activating the Explorer Gadget
Before activating the Explorer Gadget, ensure that no external accessory device, such as a Pokémon Go Plus +, is currently connected to Pokémon Go. While it is not necessary to unpair these devices, they cannot be used simultaneously with the Explorer Gadget. To begin using the feature, select the Explorer Gadget from either the map screen or the Item Bag and tap 'Use.' Players may need to grant Pokémon Go location permissions on their mobile device if they have not done so already. After confirming permissions, return to the game and select 'Use' again if prompted. Once active, players can then close the Pokémon Go app or lock their phone and proceed with their activities, such as walking.
After the session, players can check the Explorer Gadget summary, accessible from the map screen or Item Bag. This summary details the number of PokéStops spun and Pokémon caught, along with a list of the specific Pokémon encountered.
Gadget Restrictions and Behavior
The Explorer Gadget can be paused and restarted at any time by selecting it from the map screen or Item Bag and choosing the appropriate option. It is recommended by the developers that the gadget is used during leisurely walks, as it may not function effectively when used in moving vehicles.
The gadget exclusively uses standard Poké Balls for catching Pokémon, meaning rare items like Great Balls, Ultra Balls, or Master Balls will not be consumed. It also will not attempt to catch Pokémon that are classified as Mighty or those not yet registered in the player's Pokédex. For new Pokémon debuts, it is advisable to catch one in person first to ensure it is added to the Pokédex before relying on the Explorer Gadget. However, the gadget will attempt to catch different forms of a Pokémon if at least one form has already been registered by the player.
Several factors can cause the Explorer Gadget to stop working automatically. It will cease activity upon reaching the daily limit for either Pokémon caught or PokéStops spun, with this limit corresponding to the player's current Trainer Level. If the player runs out of Poké Balls, the gadget will also stop catching Pokémon, though it will provide some Poké Balls upon activation if the player has none. An alert will appear on the map screen if Poké Balls are depleted. The gadget's functionality will also halt if the player's Pokémon Storage or Item Bag reaches maximum capacity, with a corresponding notification appearing on the map screen.
Using Accessories with the Explorer Gadget
As stated, the Explorer Gadget cannot be used concurrently with an accessory like the Pokémon Go Plus +. If a player switches from the Explorer Gadget to an accessory while the gadget is active, the Explorer Gadget cannot be used again until the following day. This limitation presents a couple of usage strategies: players can keep the Explorer Gadget as a backup for when their preferred accessory's battery dies, or they can use the Explorer Gadget first, switch to an accessory once its limits are reached, and then resume using the Explorer Gadget later. Players do not need to unpair their existing accessories to utilize the Explorer Gadget.