Complete guide to Pokémon GO | How to play Pokémon GO

LATEST UPDATE: Pokémon GO is out in the UK now!

Pokémon GO is now available in the UK via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. If for whatever reason you cannot access it here, click here for advice on how to get Pokémon GO in the UK now.

If you have already downloaded and installed the Pokémon GO APK file, you should find the official app in the App Store or Google Play and click Update. This will ensure you automatically receive later updates. 

Complete guide to Pokémon GO - Pokémon GO release date: When is Pokémon GO coming out?

Pokémon GO initial release date: 6 July 2016

Pokémon GO UK release date: 13 July 2016 Android, 14 July 2016 iOS

Pokémon GO began rolling out to devices in Australia, New Zealand and Japan on 6 July 2016, on 7 July to the US, and on 13 July to Germany. As of today it is now also available in the UK via Google Play and the App Store. If it isn't appearing for you, you want to install it in a different country or it is showing the message 'this app is incompatible with all your devices',click here for details on how to get Pokémon GO now.

If you're trying to install Pokémon GO on an iPhone, also see our sister site Macworld for instructions on How to get Pokémon GO on iPhone.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO - Pokémon GO UK price: How much does Pokémon GO cost?

Pokémon GO is free to download and play, but it is possible to buy PokéCoins that will unlock special items within the game. PokéCoins are the in-game currency, and they are available without handing over real cash, but you'll pick them up at a slower rate than you might like during the early stages of Pokémon GO.

You can buy PokéCoins at the following prices:

100 PokéCoins: £0.79
550 PokéCoins: £3.99
1,200 PokéCoins: £7.99
2,500 PokéCoins: £14.99
5,200 PokéCoins: £29.99
14,500 PokéCoins: £79.99

Pokémon GO Plus costs $34.99 and is now available to pre-order. Click here for more details on Pokémon GO Plus. You might also like: 8 best mystery subscription boxes for nerds

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: How to get Pokémon GO now

Before you try any of the below, visit Google Play or the App Store to see whether you can find Pokémon GO. If you can't, read on for details of how to sideload and install the Pokémon GO APK.Once the official app does become available to you in Google Play or the App Store you should go to it and click Update. This will ensure you automatically receive later updates. 

The quick route to install Pokémon GO APK:

This is the fastest, easiest way to install Pokémon GO via an APK file. However, there are concerns that malware has been found in some Pokémon GO APK files available online. Click here for a slightly longer method that lets you download the Pokémon GO APK from Google Play.

Download Pokémon GO from APKPure.com or another APK download site, either directly on your phone or on a PC (it's a 58.1MB file).

Pokémon GO has reportedly received its first update to version 0.29.2, but many players are reporting that it includes a bug that is locking them out of the game. This won't affect UK users who have already downloaded version 0.29, but those who are downloading the Pokémon GO APK now should look for this older version until the bugs are ironed out.

However, one benefit of downloading the newer version is that it works with devices running the upcoming Android Nougat, for which many people have already downloaded the Developer Preview.

If you're using a PC then attach your phone to the PC via USB and drag the downloaded file to your Downloads folder. On your phone go to Settings, Security and enable the installation of apps from unknown sources. Now tap on Pokémon GO in your Downloads folder to install Pokémon GO. Also see: Pokémon Co-Master UK release date, Pokemon Sun and Moon UK release date, and Best Android games 2016.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: What is Pokémon GO?

Pokémon GO is a mobile game for Android and iPhone developed by The Pokémon Company and Niantic, a former Google startup that has since branched out on its own and is known for its earlier augmented-reality mobile game Ingress. Nintendo is also contributing with the development and manufacture of the companion Pokémon GO Plus (see below for more details on that).

Pokémon GO is a mobile app that you download to your Android smartphone or iPhone, but play in the real world through augmented reality.

John Hanke, founder of Niantic, said: "For the first time, Pokémon will roam free in the real world. Pokémon GO will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks and the countryside all around the world. Imagine discovering a Squirtle hiding along the waterfront in San Francisco, a Bulbasaur at Shinjuku Station or a Pikachu beneath the Eiffel Tower."

In Pokémon GO the aim is to locate, catch, battle and trade Pokémon, and you are encouraged to connect with other nearby Pokémon GO players as you do so.

"Get on your feet and step outside to find and catch wild Pokémon. Explore cities and towns around where you live and even around the globe to capture as many Pokémon as you can. As you move around, your smartphone will vibrate to let you know you're near a Pokémon. Once you've encountered a Pokémon, take aim on your smartphone's touch screen and throw a Poké Ball to catch it. Be careful when you try to catch it, or it might run away! Also look for PokéStops located at interesting places, such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments, where you can collect more Poké Balls and other items," writes The Pokémon Company on its official blog.

Also see the Pokémon GO video trailer at the top of this page.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: How to play Pokémon GO

• When you first launch Pokémon GO you need to select the clothing for your avatar. At the moment there is no way to alter this later, so pick carefully.

• You are then offered three Pokémon, of which you get to choose one to try to catch. Tap on the Pokémon and your camera app will open showing the Pokémon somewhere near you. Find it, then try to catch it. This is achieved using a PokéBall, which you flick at the Pokémon aiming at the circle that appears over its head. The smaller the circle the easier the Pokémon will be to catch, but the better your aim will need to be. A green circle means the Pokémon is relatively easy to catch, orange is medium difficulty and red is hard. Top tip: You can get Pikachu as your starter Pokémon if you are the patient type. To do so, ignore the starter Pokémon you are offered and walk away. Do this four times and you should eventually be offered Pikachu.

• Now it's time to go out and about to find Pokémon in the wild. Pokémon GO displays a map of your surroundings, and nearby Pokémon are shown as leaves rustling on the ground. A bar at the bottom right shows which Pokémon are nearby, and just how close they are is represented by the number of footsteps displayed beside them. If there are no footsteps you're basically sitting on top of a Pokémon. If the Pokémon is greyed out then it is one you haven't seen before and is not yet in your PokéDex.

• You'll find different Pokémon in different areas. For example, near a lake or river you might find water Pokémon, and in towns and rural areas you'll likely find a lot of normal Pokémon. In our experience some of the most common are Pidgeys and Rattatas, but both can become quite powerful when powered up fully and then evolved.

• For every Pokémon you catch you'll get 100 stardust and 100 XP points. If it's a Pokémon you haven't seen before you will get an extra 500 XP when it is added to the PokéDex. You can also earn extra XP by completing a nice throw. You also get a number of candies which are required when you power up or evolve a Pokémon; the exact number depends on the Pokémon you catch.

• Soon enough you will run out of PokéBalls. You can collect more from PokéStops, which are usually found in towns and cities or places of interest. Alternatively, PokéBalls are among the items you can buy with coins in the Shop; you will receive some coins for levelling up, or you can make an in-app purchase.

• You can see which Pokémon you have at any time by clicking the PokéBall at the bottom of the screen and choosing Pokémon. The aim of the game is to power up your Pokémon so they are sufficiently powerful to win gym battles, which become accessible from level 5.

• Our best tip is to power up Pokémon in their first stage as far as you can before you evolve them, and you will get a much higher combat rating in return. If you have a Pokémon with a low combat power that has already been evolved it's not worth keeping. You can power-up, evolve or trade a Pokémon by selecting the PokéBall icon, tapping Pokémon and then choosing the Pokémon in question and scrolling down to choose one of those options. If you trade a Pokémon you cannot get it back later, though you will get one candy in return.

• Until you hit level 11 the number of XP you need to progress through each level goes up in increments of 1000XP. After level 10 you need 10,000 XP to progress to each new level.

• Once you hit level 5 you get to choose your team: Team Instinct (yellow), Team Mystic (blue) or Team Valor (red). You will be prompted to do so when you first visit a gym. Choose carefully: you can't change your mind later.

• You'll see four types of gyms on the board: grey, yellow, blue and red. Grey gyms are unclaimed, and you can walk straight up to these and add a Pokémon, although the game has proved so popular you'll be very lucky to find a grey gym.

• If a gym matches the colour of your team you can enter and train your Pokémon in order to increase the Prestige of the gym (which makes it more difficult for rival teams to win). If you level up the gym through training you will also be able to leave behind one of your Pokémon to help protect that gym from rival teams.

• To begin training in a friendly gym you enter and press the glove icon. Battle will commence, and you will use a single Pokémon to beat as many of the Pokémon defending that gym as possible, so it makes sense to choose your strongest Pokémon. Tap your opponent to fight (but be careful not to tap too fast or the game may glitch), and long-tap to perform a special move. If you know your Pokémon you'll know some types are better at fighting certain types than others - you can pick which Pokémon you take into battle by tapping on it and selecting a new one before the contest begins.

At the end of the battle, whether you win or lose, the gym's prestige will increase and you will earn XP. However, your Pokémon will also lose HP. You can increase its health with a Potion, Super Potion or Revive, which can be picked up from PokéStops or when you level up and are found in your Items (click the PokéBall and choose Items). If you manage to level up the gym, click the icon with the plus to add a Pokémon of your choice.

• If a gym is not friendly and you want to battle in an attempt to take it over, visit the gym and scroll left and right through the defending Pokémon to see whether your Pokémon are powerful enough to take it on. If you think you can do it, press the star icon to begin. You get to choose six Pokémon to take into battle with you, and if you manage to take out any of the Pokémon defending the gym you will lower its prestige. Again, your Pokémon will lose health, so you may need to revive them in between battles. When the gym's prestige hits level one a win will turn the gym grey, or neutral. At this point it is free to anyone, so get in there quick to add your Pokémon before the rival team beats you to it.

• If you can hold on to a gym for a day you will receive stardust and XP in return. If you don't regularly visit an area where there are lots of Pokémon to catch, for instance a city centre, this is one of the easiest ways to gain stardust.

• The ultimate aim of the game is to catch all the Pokémon. You can hold 250 Pokémon in your inventory without upgrading it; likewise, you can hold only 350 things (such as PokéBalls) in your items without upgrading your bag.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: Pokémon GO FAQ

What is a PokéBall?

A PokéBall is the ball you use to catch wild Pokémon. You can collect more PokéBalls from PokéStops, when you level up or from the Shop.

What is a PokéStop?

A PokéStop is a place from which you can win rewards simply by visiting. You might get PokéBalls, potions and revives, for example. You need to be near the PokéStop in order to access it - a blue circle will appear around it when you are close enough. When you have visited that PokéStop it will turn purple, and you need to wait a few minutes before you can visit it again.

What is the PokéDex?

The PokéDex is a catalogue of all the Pokémon you have caught, plus any that you have seen but not managed to catch. The aim of the game is to catch them all.

What is a gym?

There are neutral, friendly and rival gyms. You can claim a neutral gym by adding your Pokémon. In friendly gyms you can train up your Pokémon to increase the gym's prestige and to earn XP; if you level up the gym you can leave behind a Pokémon to help defend it. In rival gyms you can battle Pokémon in an attempt to lower the gym's prestige and eventually take over that gym.

Why can't I add my Pokémon to a friendly gym?

You need to level it up through training first. A level one gym needs to be level two before it can accept a second Pokémon; a level two gym needs to be a level three gym before it can accept a third Pokémon and so on.

Why can't I win a gym?

If you have all but defeated your opponent but it refuses to die, this is a server issue. If it won't let you walk away, restart the game and try again. Try tapping slower on your opponent to prevent it glitching.

How do you get more PokéBalls?

You can get more PokéBalls at PokéStops, by levelling up or in the Shop.

How do you get more stardust?

Stardust is earned by catching a Pokémon- you'll get 100 stardust for each Pokémon you catch. A faster way to earn stardust is to leave Pokémon in as many gyms as you can. For each Pokémon you manage to keep in a gym for a day you will earn 500 stardust. Note that the time limit is an overall limit - when it gets down to the last few minutes you need to adding Pokémon to gyms everywhere in order to get the most benefit. You can also earn stardust hatching eggs.

How do you get more candy?

Candies are earned when you catch a Pokémon, though the number you receive depends on which Pokémon you catch. You can also earn one candy when you trade a Pokémon. Candies are specific to a Pokémon type, so you can't use Rattata candy with a Pidgey, for example.

How do you get more coins?

Coins are earned by levelling up and by leaving your Pokémon in a gym for a full day. It takes a while to earn them, so you can also buy them in the shop if you're prepared to spend real money.

How do you level up? How do you earn XP?

XP is earned for basically everything you do. You'll earn 500XP for evolving a Pokémon, 50XP for visiting a PokéStop, and a minimum of 100XP for catching a Pokémon (you'll get 500 bonus XP if it's a Pokémon not currently in your PokéDex). When you earn enough XP you will progress a level, and get various goodies in return.

What is Potion? What is Super Potion? What is Revive?

When your Pokémon either train or battle in a gym they lose health. This can be restored using a potion, super potion or revive. A potion restores the Pokémon's HP by 20 points, and a super potion does so by 50 points. A revive restores a fainted Pokémon.

What is incense?

Incense, available in the Shop or when you level up, draws nearby Pokémon to your location for 30 minutes. Only you benefit from it.

What is a lure module?

A lure works like incense, drawing out nearby Pokémon. However, it must be used at a PokéStop, and all players can benefit  you'll spot one by the pink and purple petals coming out of it. Be warned that the lure will be visible on the map to all players, so for your own safety it's probably not a good idea to use one in a dodgy area when you are alone if you want to keep your phone. 

What is a lucky egg?

A lucky egg earns double XP for 30 minutes. For a quick way to level up, collect as many rattatas and pidgeys as you can, then activate the lucky egg and evolve those Pokémon. You'll get 1000 XP for each one you evolve. You can get lucky eggs by levelling up or in the shop.

How do you get more eggs?

You'll get Pokémon eggs at PokéStops and when you level up.

How do you hatch an egg?

To hatch an egg you will need an incubator, which you can sometimes find at PokéStops or you can get them when you level up or buy them in the Shop. Some incubators are three-uses only. To hatch an egg, click the Pokémon icon, choose Pokémon and slide across to the Eggs tab. Pick an egg. To hatch it you will need to walk a certain distance, which is shown below the egg. Longer distances are likely to return more powerful Pokémon. Add it to an incubator, then get moving to hatch that egg. Distance is tracked via GPS, and if you move too fast it won't be counted, so no cheating by getting in the car.

What is a Great Ball?

A Great Ball is like a PokéBall but better, and has a more successful catch rate than a standard PokéBall. If there's a Pokémon you really want to catch, use a Great Ball instead of a PokéBall. This is achieved by tapping the bag icon mid-capture attempt. 

What are Razz Berries?

Razz Berries can be fed to tough Pokémon in order to make them easier to catch on your next throw. You can pick them up when you level up and at PokéStops.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO - Pokémon GO updates: What new features are coming to Pokémon GO?

At some point in the future the game is expected to allow the trading of Pokémon with other players, and to also feature branded PokéStops sponsored by retailers and other businesses.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: Pokémon GO Screenshots

When you first sign into Pokémon GO you need to pick your avatar, and at the moment this cannot be altered later.

You'll then get a choice of three Pokémon to catch to get you started. And that's pretty much as far as the tutorial goes.

PokéStops are places you can get new items, such as PokéBalls. You need to be within close range of a PokéStop to benefit - when a blue circle appears around it you are close enough. Tap on the PokéStop and spin the wheel to get your goodies. The PokéStop will turn purple for a few minutes afterward, and you need to wait for it to revert to blue to hit it again. A PokéStop with pink and purple petals flying out on it has a Lure Module attached to it - these draw nearby Pokémon to the stop for 30 minutes, so hang around for a bit if you can.

At any time you can tap the menu at the bottom left to see which Pokémon are nearby, and how close they are (shown by one, two or three footsteps). When you spot a Pokémon on the map, tap on it.

To catch the Pokémon you need to throw a PokéBall at it, and hit it within the circle that appears around its face. The higher the CP (combat power) the harder it will be to catch, although your ability to catch better Pokémon increases as you level up, and later in the game you can also use Great Balls (big PokéBalls).

If you don't want the Pokémon you can transfer it to the Professor in return for a candy, although you can hold up to 250 Pokémon so there's no need to decide at once.

An alternative to transferring the Pokémon is to Evolve it - provided you have the required amount of candy to do so. We strongly recommend you power up the Pokémon in its primary stage as far as possible in order to get higher combat power when it evolves.

At any time you can click the PokéBall at the bottom of the screen and choose Pokémon to see your current Pokémon. A slide to the right will also show you any eggs you have incubating.

Other options here include the Shop, where you can buy incense, potions, more PokéBalls and the like, and the PokéDex, which is a catalogue of all the Pokémon you have seen or caught so far.

When your Pokémon are ready you can take part in battles at gyms. You can train in a friendly gym to increase its prestige - if you level it up you'll be able to leave your own Pokémon behind to help defend it. Battles take place in rival gyms in an attempt to lower their prestige and hopefully claim that gym for your own team. You can see on the map when a battle is taking place at a gym by the whirlwhind, sparks and smoke coming out its top.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO - How many Pokémon are in Pokémon GO: The PokéDex

Below is a list of the Pokémon confirmed to be in the PokéDex so far, although there have been no confirmed sightings of Farfetch'd (083), Ditto (132), Articuno (144), Zapdos (145), Moltres (146), Mewtwo (150) and Mew (151). 

001. Bulbasaur
002. Ivysaur
003. Venusaur
004. Charmander
005. Charmeleon
006. Charizard
007. Squirtle
008. Wartortle
009. Blastoise
010. Caterpie
011. Metapod
012. Butterfree
013. Weedle
014. Kakuna
015. Beedrill
016. Pidgey
017. Pidgeotto
018. Pidgeot
019. Rattata
020. Raticate
021. Spearow
022. Fearow
023. Ekans
024. Arbok
025. Pikachu
026. Raichu
027. Sandshrew
028. Sandslash
029. Nidoran F
030. Nidorina
031. Nidoqueen
032. Nidoran M
033. Nidorino
034. Nidoking
035. Clefairy
036. Clefable
037. Vulpix
038. Ninetales
039. Jigglypuff
040. Wigglytuff
041. Zubat
042. Golbat
043. Oddish
044. Gloom
045. Vileplume
046. Paras
047. Parasect
048. Venonat
049. Venomoth
050. Diglett
051. Dugtrio
052. Meowth
053. Persian
054. Psyduck
055. Golduck
056. Mankey
057. Primeape
058. Growlithe
059. Arcanine
060. Poliwag
061. Poliwhirl
062. Poliwrath
063. Abra
064. Kadabra
065. Alakazam
066. Machop
067. Machoke
068. Machamp
069. Bellsprout
070. Weepinbell
071. Victreebel
072. Tentacool
073. Tentacruel
074. Geodude
075. Graveler
076. Golem
077. Ponyta
078. Rapidash
079. Slowpoke
080. Slowbro
081. Magnemite
082. Magneton
083. Farfetch'd
084. Doduo
085. Dodrio
086. Seel
087. Dewgong
088. Grimer
089. Muk
090. Shellder
091. Cloyster
092. Gastly
093. Haunter
094. Gengar
095. Onix
096. Drowzee
097. Hypno
098. Krabby
099. Kingler
100. Voltorb
101. Electrode
102. Exeggcute
103. Exeggutor
104. Cubone
105. Marowak
106. Hitmonlee
107. Hitmonchan
108. Lickitung
109. Koffing
110. Weezing
111. Rhyhorn
112. Rhydon
113. Chansey
114. Tangela
115. Kangaskhan
116. Horsea
117. Seadra
118. Goldeen
119. Seaking
120. Staryu
121. Starmie
122. Mr. Mime
123. Scyther
124. Jynx
125. Electabuzz
126. Magmar
127. Pinsir
128. Tauros
129. Magikarp
130. Gyarados
131. Lapras
132. Ditto
133. Eevee
134. Vaporeon
135. Jolteon
136. Flareon
137. Porygon
138. Omanyte
139. Omastar
140. Kabuto
141. Kabutops
142. Aerodactyl
143. Snorlax
144. Articuno
145. Zapdos
146. Moltres
147. Dratini
148. Dragonair
149. Dragonite
150. Mewtwo
151. Mew 

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: I can't access Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO is insanely popular, and its servers appear to be struggling with demand at peak times, often giving the error message 'Our servers are experiencing issues. Please come back later'. Things seem to be getting easier, but as a tip, we've found it easier to get online in the morning while the US is still asleep. You can check the status of Pokémon GO here.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: Pokémon GO first impressions

Several sites have been posting their first impressions of Pokemon Go.

Slashgear writes: "This game is fantastic. Not in the same way a visually spectacular game like Fallout 4 or DOOM are fantastic, but in a new way. A way that's not like any game I've played before. Pokemon GO is a real game-changer."

Digital Spy was les complimentary, stating: "We can't get away from the fact catching a Pokemon with the real-world surroundings behind it felt awesome – especially as someone who's been playing Pokemon games for 20 years. Hopefully when the game launches in full, there'll be more Pokemon, more trainers and more notifications. Otherwise it's going to take us a very long time to become a Pokemon master."

On the whole first impressions are very good, with some applauding the game for encouraging them to get up and walk around to find Pokémon, but others voicing their concerns about the idea of encouraging children to wander off.

IGN writes: "I definitely agree that this game promotes exploration, but I’m curious to see what that means for a game that’s primarily aimed at kids. And don’t get me wrong; I don’t mean that in a pejorative way. I’m an adult (kind of) and will pour dozens of hours into this game. But for kids, it’s a very different proposition to wander into new areas to try to take down a Gym or catch a Pokemon that popped up at the edge of the map a few streets over. For that matter, even for adults, wandering around with your phone out and exploring streets you’ve never been on can lead to all sorts of problems."

Pokémon GO is to be applauded for its encouragement of people getting up off their backsides and exploring their surroundings, getting some fresh air and some exercise as they do so. However, it's also a concern that it may encourage youngsters to wander off, or lead to an increase in phone thefts as we walk about with them permanently on show.

Darwin police station in Australia, which features as a Pokestop, has already had cause to issue a warning to early Pokémon GO players telling them not to attempt to enter the station in order to catch a Pokémon. It's also requested that they remain aware of their surroundings at all times.

"For those budding Pokemon Trainers out there using Pokémon GO - whilst the Darwin Police Station may feature as a Pokestop, please be advised that you don't actually have to step inside in order to gain the pokeballs.

"It's also a good idea to look up, away from your phone and both ways before crossing the street. That Sandshrew isn't going anywhere fast," it said in a statement.

Complete guide to Pokémon GO: Pokémon GO Plus 

Pokémon GO Plus is a companion device that is either clipped on or strapped to the wrist and worn like a watch. Pokémon GO functions without the Pokémon GO Plus, but the device is expected to enhance enjoyment of the augmented reality game.

Pokémon GO Plus is being developed and manufactured by Nintendo, and will launch shortly after the game at a price of $34.99. It's available to pre-order now on Amazon.com, but is not yet available on Amazon UK. Interestingly, Amazon gives a release date of 31 December 2016 for Pokémon GO Plus. We think it'll be here earlier than that - Amazon will often put a later release date if it has not yet been confirmed.

Pokémon GO Plus lets you play Pokémon GO without looking at your phone by delivering haptic feedback and flashing LEDs in a series of colours. It encourages players to look not only at their phones and Pokémon GO, but to experience what's going on around them in the real world.

Pokémon GO Plus connects to your phone over Bluetooth and notifies you about events within the game, such as a nearby Pikachu. A button on the front of the Pokémon GO Plus also lets you perform simple actions such as throwing a Poké Ball and catching Pokémon.

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