Entertainment · Gaming · 13 hrs ago
Pokémon GO Adds Active-Play Support for Explorer Gadget
Pokémon GO’s Explorer Gadget can now work while the game is open, as well as in the background.
It automatically attempts to catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops as Trainers move around in the real world.
Trainers level 20 and above can activate the feature from the map or the Key Items section of their Item Bag.
Players can still take over an interaction themselves, but have only a short time to do so, and the Gadget will not try to catch some Pokémon.
The update also makes catch rewards and appraisal information easier to access, alongside changes to several visual effects.
Power Spot visits after Max Battles will no longer trigger special wild encounters, a change intended to make wild encounters more consistent.
The update has rolled out with these changes; no further steps are specified.
Pokémon GO’s Explorer Gadget can now automatically catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops while players are actively playing the game.
The feature is available to Trainers at level 20 and above and can be activated from the Map View or the Item Bag’s Key Items section.
Players can still take over an interaction by tapping the Pokémon or PokéStop the Gadget is targeting.
The update also brings a redesigned catch summary, a dedicated Appraise button and visual changes to PokéStops and encounter rings.
Visits to a Power Spot or placing a Pokémon there after a Max Battle will no longer trigger special wild encounters.
- Who
- Pokémon GO players at level 20 and above can use the Explorer Gadget.
- What
- The Gadget can automatically catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops while the game is being played.
- When
- The update was reported on November 2, 2026; the sources do not state when it rolled out.
- Where
- In Pokémon GO, through the Map View or the Item Bag’s Key Items section.
- Why
- The sources describe the feature and say the Power Spot change is intended to make wild encounters more consistent; they do not state why active-play support was added.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bleeding Cool News and Pokémon GO Hub reported on the Explorer Gadget update and other gameplay changes.
شبكة تواصل الإخبارية published an article about Trainers overriding the Gadget while playing.
- Minimum level
- 20
- Activation locations
- Map View or Key Items in the Item Bag
- Manual override
- Tap the targeted Pokémon or PokéStop
- Catch summary
- Redesigned to clarify rewards and bonuses
- Power Spot change
- Special wild encounters no longer trigger after a Max Battle when visiting or placing a Pokémon at a Power Spot
3 sources
What people are saying
Trainers can now use it to automatically catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops while actively playing the game, rather than only when Pokémon GO is running in the background.