Last verified 2026-09-21 by ReviewGamers Editorial
Pokémon GO is built around getting outside and exploring your local area. Whether you are downloading the app for the first time or returning after a break, understanding the core mechanics makes the experience smoother. Here is what you need to know to start playing.
Catching Pokémon: the foundation
Pokémon appear on your map as you walk around. Tap a Pokémon to enter the catch screen, where you will see the target and your Poké Ball ready to throw. Swipe upward to pitch the ball toward the Pokémon. The circle on the screen shrinks and expands—throwing while the circle is smaller improves your catch chance and earns bonus XP. Missing is part of learning; your Poké Balls are free to earn (see below).
You can use berries to make Pokémon easier to catch. Razz Berries increase catch chance, while Nanab Berries steady a Pokémon’s movement if it keeps dodging your throws. Pinap Berries double the candy reward if you succeed. Feed the Pokémon a berry before throwing for the effect to apply.
PokéStops: gathering supplies
PokéStops appear as blue icons on your map (Pokémon GO shows them as landmarks and notable local sites). Walk up to one and tap it to open the photo disc. Swipe the disc to spin it and collect items: Poké Balls (for catching), potions (for healing), revives (for downed Pokémon), and berries. You can spin one PokéStop roughly every five minutes, so stopping by several during a walk builds up your supplies quickly.
Gyms: team battles and defence
Gyms are team-controlled locations (shown as larger icons on the map). When you reach level 5, you choose a team—Instinct (yellow), Mystic (blue), or Valor (red)—and can then interact with gyms. Gyms controlled by your team let you place one of your Pokémon there to defend it. Gyms controlled by another team can be challenged. Six Pokémon hold each gym at once. Pokémon defending a gym lose motivation over time and when defeated, making it easier for opposing teams to take over the gym.
Raid battles: co-op combat
Raid battles are five-star events where you and up to 20 other trainers band together to defeat an extremely powerful Pokémon (the raid boss). A large egg appears above a gym several hours before the raid starts; when the timer ends, the boss appears. You need a raid pass to join—you get one free raid pass per day by visiting any gym, though you can buy more passes in the shop if you want additional attempts. If your group defeats the boss within three minutes, everyone gets a chance to catch it. Rewards include Rare Candy (boosts any Pokémon), Golden Razz Berries (restore a Pokémon’s full health and increase catch chance), and Technical Machines (teach new moves). Raid battles are the game’s most social feature and a reliable way to battle powerful Pokémon you would not find in the wild.
Bonding with a buddy
Select any Pokémon from your collection to be your buddy—it appears on your profile screen and travels with you. As you walk, your buddy earns candy for the species, speeding up evolution and power-up progress. You can change your buddy anytime without losing progress toward the next candy reward. Many players pick a Pokémon they like or one they are trying to evolve, though any Pokémon works.
Adventure Sync: walking while the app is closed
Adventure Sync lets the game track your walking distance even when Pokémon GO is not open. It integrates with your phone’s health app—Apple Health on iOS, Google Fit on Android. Enable it in your Trainer Profile under Settings, and the app will tally distance in the background, earning buddy candy and hatching eggs just as if the app were running. You receive push notifications when your buddy finds candy or an egg is about to hatch. It is a practical way to make progress toward egg hatching and buddy rewards during your daily routine.
Battery Saver: practical settings for longer play
Battery Saver is a toggle in the Settings menu that dims your screen when you point your device downward (as if you were swinging it at your side while walking). The game continues to track your distance and vibrate to alert you of nearby Pokémon. Activating Battery Saver extends your phone’s battery life considerably during long outdoor sessions. It differs from your phone’s built-in battery mode—Battery Saver works within Pokémon GO itself and does not interfere with Adventure Sync.
Next steps
These core mechanics form the full game loop: catch Pokémon, spin PokéStops for supplies, defend or challenge gyms, raid with your community, and bond with a buddy to earn rewards. For platform-specific performance tips and guides to popular titles, explore our Android Games hub or learn more by following Pokémon GO for update alerts. If you play on iOS, find settings optimised for the iPhone & iPad Games platform.
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