The Pokémon GO® app is much more complex that it may seem at a first glance. Here we’ve tried to compile all the most important info about all the latest features in the game…
Q: How does the Map feature work exactly?
A: The Map View displays the locations of Pokémon, PokéStops, and Gon a real-life map of your area.
Compass
Toggles the viewing direction in Map View. You can switch between a north-viewing direction and auto-rotation, which follows your viewing direction. You can also rotate using touch gestures
Gyms
Locations where teams train and battle Pokémon
PokéStops
Locations where Trainers can acquire items such as Poké Balls, Potions, and/or Eggs
Trainer
Your avatar
Profile Icon
Shows your progress and achievements
Main Menu
Accesses settings, items, your Pokédex, the shop, and Pokémon menu options
Nearby Pokémon
Displays wild Pokémon located nearby
Q: Finding and Catching wild Pokémon
A: Whenever a wild Pokémons that is up for grabs is detected nearby you, the phone will start vibrating. If you don’t see any Pokémons nearby, then try to walk around in a range of the location! Pokémons love places like parks, so try visiting a local recreational area. One simpler way of attracting more Pokémons to your location is using an item known as Incense.
Some wild Pokémons appear only in certain habitats and climates. For example, some Pokémons may appear only near lakes, oceans, or other bodies of water.
Pokémons located in your area are shown in the Nearby Pokémon section in the bottom right of the screen in Map View. Touch the section to expand the list of nearby Pokémon and find out the distance to the Pokémon. The distance to the Pokémon is shown by the footprints. Pokémon already in your Pokédex will show in color, and Pokémon you haven’t previously encountered appears as greyed out silhouettes.
Catching wild Pokémon:
When you encounter a wild Pokémon, you may have a few attempts at catching it, before it runs away.
You can use items from your Bag to increase your chance of successfully catching a wild Pokémon. Razz Berries make the wild Pokémon easier to capture. High performance Poké Balls like Great Balls, Ultra Balls, and Master Balls increase your ability to catch wild Pokémon. Touch the Bag icon during the encounter to access these items. You can also snap photos of your Pokémon encounters with your smartphone’s camera.
Q: Earning badges
A: Catch as many Pokémons as you can to earn Experience Points (XP) and level up your Trainer level. Each capture awards XP based on the kind of Pokémons captured, whether you’ve caught that Pokémon before, and the accuracy of your attempt’s at catching.
Touch your avatar in the lower left corner of the Map View to see your level, and scroll down to see your achievements. Earn additional Badges by hitting milestones in each category. For example, this Trainer needs to walk about 6.5 more kilometers to earn the bronze Travel Badge and register 33 more Pokémons to her Pokédex to earn the silver Pokédex Badge.
Q: Viewing your Trainer Profile and progress
A: View your progress, achievements, and medals you’ve received in your Trainer Profile.
To access your Trainer Profile:
In Map View, touch the round Trainer avatar icon.
Profile features:
Your nickname
Your avatar
Your current Trainer level
Your progress toward the next level
Journal
Available PokéCoins
The date you started playing
Your team
Medals
Note: Making changes to your team at that time would be impossible.
Q: How can I find specific Pokémon?
A: It’s best to look for Pokémon near their habitat. For example, if you’re on the beach or at a pier, you’re likely to find Water-type Pokémon. However, if you’re in a desert climate, your chances of spotting a Water-type Pokémon are far less likely…
You can see the kinds of Pokémons that might be found near your current location by using the Nearby feature. Note that Pokémon already in your Pokédex will appear in color, while those not in your Pokédex will be greyed out.
Q: How Do I View a Pokémon’s Summary?
A: View and edit the details for each Pokémon.
To access your Pokémon’s profile:
In Map View, touch the Main Menu
Touch Pokémon
Select a Pokémon to view from your list of Pokémons
Q: Train your Pokémon at friendly Gyms
A: Earn XP and increase the Prestige of friendly Gyms by training your Pokémon. You can train your Pokémon in a friendly game battle, where you select a single Pokémon to battle against another Pokémon in a friendly Gym. The more you train, the more Prestige your team’s Gym will be getting.
Training your Pokémon at a friendly Gym is alike to battling the Pokémon of rival teams. When your Pokémon loses a friendly battle, it doesn’t faint. It’s returned to your collection with 1 HP.
Q: Revive fainted Pokémon and restore HP
A: Potions can be applied to heal Pokémon or for restoring HP lost during battle.
To use a Potion on a Pokémon:
In Map View, touch the Main Menu
Touch Items
Select a Potion from your Bag of items, and then select the Pokémon to be healed. You can use Revives and Max Revives to revive Pokémon that has fainted.
Q: PokéCoins and making In-App Purchases
A: To purchase PokéCoins:
In the Map View, touch the Main Menu
Touch Shop
Touch a pack of PokéCoins to purchase.
You’ll be asked to complete the purchase via Google Play on Android devices or via iTunes on iOS devices. Once the purchase is complete, you’ll be able to exchange your PokéCoins for premium items.
To exchange PokéCoins for premium items:
In the Map View, touch the Main Menu
Touch Shop
Your available PokéCoins will appear at the top of the screen.
Touch an item to select it for exchange.
Touch the item’s price to complete the exchange. Your premium items will appear in your Bag. There may be a short delay before premium items appear in your Bag.