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Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Pokémon Go explorer gadget: What changes in the update?

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It’s been 10 years since Pokémon Go was first released across mobiles everywhere, and the journey to catch em' all across the world continues.

And, with regular updates to give players fresh new content combined with the game’s accessibility, it's no wonder that Pokémon Go remains one of the most popular mobile games ever created.

But the latest update to the game is all about the explorer gadget, which is a feature that passively tries to catch Pokémon and will spin PokéStops even when the game is not open on your device.

The explorer gadget does not catch Pokémon not already registered in your Pokédex, but it's still a great way to catch different forms of Pokémon you’ve already caught.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the changes that are being made to this in-game feature!

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Previously, the explorer gadget only automatically attempted to catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops when you’re not actively playing, but this has now changed.

The explorer gadget will now also help you out while you’re still actively playing! Trainers will now see a pink Poké Ball icon that lets them know if the gadget is attempting to catch or spin.

The explorer gadget is for trainers at level 20 or higher who can toggle the feature on or off. And by selecting the explorer gadget icon from the map or from your bag, you can check how many Pokémon have been caught and how many PokéStops have been spun.

Other quality-of-life improvements in the update include better visuals during a catch summary, faster access to appraisal information for a Pokémon with a dedicated button, better consistency with wild encounters and so much more!

But the best way to experience the update is to try it out for yourself – so get out there and start battling!

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Belle Law is Radio Times's Gaming Content Creator, covering everything from retro classics and AAA titans to independent titles.

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