How to Start Over in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide

The thrill of discovering Pokémon, battling in gyms, and completing research tasks makes Pokémon GO an enduringly popular mobile game. But sometimes, you might want a fresh start. Perhaps you regret early decisions, want to experience the initial excitement again, or simply wish to optimize your gameplay from the very beginning. So, how do you start over in Pokémon GO?

The straightforward answer is: Pokémon GO doesn’t offer a direct “reset” button. To truly begin anew, you need to create a new account using a different email address and start the game from scratch. While this might sound inconvenient, it’s the only way to experience the initial journey with a clean slate.

Why Start Over in Pokémon GO?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore some common reasons why trainers consider restarting their Pokémon GO adventure:

• Regretful Early Decisions: Perhaps you chose the “wrong” starter Pokémon, made poor choices regarding team affiliation, or inefficiently spent resources early on.
• Desire for a Fresh Start: The game evolves constantly. Starting over allows you to leverage your accumulated knowledge and experience to optimize your gameplay strategy from day one.
• New Gameplay Goals: Maybe you want to focus on specific aspects of the game, like PvP battles or collecting shiny Pokémon, and a fresh account allows you to pursue these goals more effectively.
• Account Security Concerns: In rare cases, trainers might consider starting over if they suspect their existing account has been compromised.
• Reliving the Initial Excitement: There’s a unique charm to those first few levels, filled with discoveries and the thrill of catching common Pokémon.

The Process: Creating a New Pokémon GO Account

1. Gather Requirements: You’ll need a new email address that hasn’t been used for a Pokémon GO account before. You can create a free email account through services like Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo.
2. Download Pokémon GO (if necessary): Ensure you have the latest version of the Pokémon GO app installed on your device. You can download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
3. Open the Pokémon GO App: Launch the app on your device.
4. Choose a Sign-Up Method: You’ll be presented with options to sign up using Google, Facebook, or Niantic Kids (for younger players). Select your preferred method. Remember to use the new email address you created.
5. Provide Required Information: Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your date of birth and create a trainer name. Choose wisely – your trainer name is your identity in the Pokémon GO world!
6. Select Your Starter Pokémon: You’ll be greeted by Professor Willow and given the choice of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, or Pikachu as your starter. Make your selection and begin your new journey!

Important Considerations Before Starting Over

• Loss of Progress: Starting over means abandoning all progress made on your previous account, including collected Pokémon, achievements, items, and level.
• Irreversible Action: There’s no turning back once you create a new account. Make sure you’re absolutely certain before proceeding.
• Account Deletion (Optional): If you wish to completely remove your old account, you can submit a deletion request through Niantic’s support site. This is entirely optional, but it ensures your email address is free for future use. See the FAQ on deleting accounts for more information.
• Trading Limitations: You cannot transfer Pokémon or items between accounts. Trading is possible with other players, but not between your old and new accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I merge two Pokémon GO accounts?

Sadly, no, Niantic does not offer a feature to merge progress from two separate Pokémon GO accounts. This is why it’s important to carefully consider your decision before starting a new game.

2. How do I delete my Pokémon GO account?

To delete your Pokémon GO account:

1. Open the Pokémon GO app.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select Get Help.
4. Tap the message icon in the top-right corner.
5. Type “Delete My Account.”
6. Follow the instructions provided. You may be redirected to a web page where you can complete the deletion process.

3. Does deleting Pokémon GO app delete my account?

No, deleting the Pokémon GO app from your phone will not delete your account. Your account data is stored on Niantic’s servers. Deleting the app only removes it from your device.

4. How do I delete my child’s Pokémon GO account?

To delete a child’s Pokémon GO account managed through Niantic Kids:

1. Visit the Niantic Kids Parent Portal.
2. Select your child’s account.
3. Click the “Edit Profile” button.
4. At the bottom of the page, click the “Delete child’s profile” link.

5. Is Pokémon GO dangerous?

Pokémon GO is as dangerous as you make it. It can pose risks if players aren’t aware of their surroundings. Always be mindful of your environment, avoid trespassing, and never play while driving. Prioritize safety above all else.

6. I Started a New Pokémon GO Account. Can I restart my Pokemon game on a Nintendo Console?

Restarting a Pokemon game on a Nintendo console involves a different process. Usually, you can erase your saved file by pressing and holding specific buttons on the title screen when the game starts up. The game will often prompt you on how to do this.

7. Can I reset my Pokemon Go Plus?

Yes, you can reset your Pokémon GO Plus. To hard reset your Pokemon Go Plus device, hold the center button for just over 5 seconds, or until it turns solid blue. Let go, then press the button again for another 5 seconds, until it buzzes. Now you can pair the Pokémon Go Plus to any new device.

8. How do I reset an app on iPhone without deleting it?

Unfortunately, you cannot fully reset an app on an iPhone without deleting it. You can clear the cache of some apps, but a complete reset requires uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

9. How do you restart Pokémon GO on iPhone?

To restart Pokémon GO on your iPhone, simply close the app completely and reopen it. If that doesn’t resolve your issue, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app from the App Store. Your game progress will not be lost, as it’s stored online.

10. How do you restart Pokémon GO app if it freezes?

1. Tap the “recently used apps” button (usually a square or three vertical lines at the bottom of your screen).
2. Find the Pokémon GO app.
3. Swipe the app card away to force close it.
4. Reopen the app.

You can also use the Settings app to force quit it.

11. How do you reset game data in Pokémon GO?

You can try refreshing your game data by going to the Settings menu in Pokémon GO, selecting Advanced Settings, and tapping Refresh Game Data. This won’t reset your account, but it can help with minor glitches.

12. What is getting soft banned in Pokémon Go?

A soft ban in Pokémon GO is a temporary restriction placed on your account, usually lasting a few hours to a day. During a soft ban, Pokémon you encounter will flee, and you won’t be able to collect items from PokéStops. Soft bans are typically triggered by actions that suggest cheating or violating the game’s terms of service, such as spoofing your location.

13. Are shiny Legendaries worth it?

Whether shiny Legendaries are “worth it” is a subjective question. They are rare and highly sought after by collectors, but their stats are the same as regular Legendaries. If you value rarity and aesthetics, then yes, they are worth the effort. Otherwise, focusing on stats and usability might be more practical.

14. Is it possible to get a shiny starter in Pokémon Go?

Yes, it’s possible to encounter a shiny starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, or Pikachu) when you begin a new game in Pokémon GO, although the odds are low. Keep trying, and you might get lucky!

15. How do you start a game from the beginning on Android?

To start a new game in an Android game (not necessarily just Pokémon GO, although this applies to many Android games that use cloud saves), you often need to clear the game’s data:

1. Go to your Android device’s Settings.
2. Tap Apps (or Applications, depending on your device).
3. Find the game in the list of apps.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear Data and Clear Cache. Note: This will delete any locally stored progress.
6. You may also need to open the Google Play Games app, find the game in Settings, and delete game data there, too.

Conclusion

Starting over in Pokémon GO is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. While it involves creating a new account and losing all previous progress, it can be a rewarding experience for trainers seeking a fresh start or wanting to optimize their gameplay. By following the steps outlined in this guide and keeping the FAQs in mind, you can embark on a new Pokémon GO adventure with confidence.

Remember, learning is an ongoing process, even in games! To explore more about the intersection of gaming and education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.