How to Play Pokémon GO Without Leaving Your House: A Comprehensive Guide
It’s no secret that Pokémon GO was designed to get you moving, exploring the world around you. But what if you can’t, or simply don’t want to, leave your home? Fortunately, there are several ways to enjoy Pokémon GO without stepping foot outside your door. The most direct method involves location spoofing, using specialized apps to make the game think you are somewhere else. However, other, more legitimate strategies leverage in-game features and a little creative thinking. Let’s explore these methods in detail, along with some essential tips and tricks.
Utilizing Location Spoofing Apps
Understanding Location Spoofing
Location spoofing is the practice of using third-party apps to manipulate your device’s GPS signal, effectively tricking Pokémon GO into believing you are somewhere you’re not. This allows you to virtually travel the globe, access new Pokémon, and participate in Raids without physically moving. While this method can be tempting, it’s crucial to understand the associated risks.
How to Use a Location Spoofer
- Choose a Reputable Spoofer: Several apps offer location spoofing capabilities. Some popular options include Tenorshare iAnyGo (frequently mentioned as a reliable spoofer in 2023) and MocPOGO. Research thoroughly to select one that is compatible with your device (Android or iOS) and has positive reviews. Be aware that some apps might require rooting or jailbreaking your phone, which could void your warranty or create vulnerabilities.
- Install and Configure: Download and install the chosen app on your device. Follow the instructions provided by the app developer, which may involve enabling developer options on your device or installing a profile for iOS devices.
- Set Your Virtual Location: Once configured, most spoofer apps allow you to choose a location on a map. You can enter coordinates, select a location from a list, or drag a pin on the map.
- Start Playing: Open Pokémon GO, and your location should be updated to your virtual setting. You can now play as if you were physically present in that location.
Risks and Precautions
While effective, spoofing is against Niantic’s Terms of Service and comes with the risk of getting your account banned. To minimize risks:
- Avoid Sudden Location Jumps: Teleporting halfway across the world in an instant can trigger red flags. Travel virtually in a more natural, incremental way.
- Respect Cooldown Times: After making significant virtual distance changes, consider following the “cooldown times”. This imitates real travel time and allows your account to avoid being flagged for suspicious activity. These cooldown times vary from a few minutes to a couple hours depending on the virtual distance traveled.
- Don’t Share Your Spoofing Information: The fewer people that know about your spoofing practices, the lower the risk is that it will be reported.
- Use a VPN: To mask your IP address, use a VPN before engaging in any spoofing activity. This can add an extra layer of security to prevent Niantic from detecting your real location. Ensure that your VPN server location matches your spoofed GPS location.
Playing Legitimately From Home
While spoofing can offer instant gratification, there are many ways to play Pokémon GO legitimately from your home:
Leveraging Incense and Lure Modules
- Incense: Activating an Incense will attract Pokémon to your location for a set period, usually an hour. This can bring various wild Pokémon to your home without having to move.
- Lure Modules: If you have a nearby PokéStop you can access from your home, try attaching a Lure Module. This increases Pokémon spawns at the PokéStop, bringing them within your reachable range.
Utilizing Adventure Sync
- Adventure Sync: Pokémon GO uses your phone’s built-in pedometer to track your steps, even when the app is closed. This feature, called Adventure Sync, allows you to hatch eggs and earn candy simply by moving around your home during your daily routine.
- Roomba Trick: If you own a Roomba, carefully placing your phone on top of it can trick the app into thinking you’re walking around, effectively turning a chore into a Pokémon hatching opportunity! Ensure your phone is secure to avoid any accidents.
Maximizing Home-Based Activities
- Home Raids: If you have a nearby Gym that you can access from home, participate in raids. Remote Raid Passes allow you to join raids happening at a distance, so you can battle powerful Pokémon from your couch.
- Research Tasks: Complete Research Tasks given to you by the professor. Many of them can be done without having to move from one location to another.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it safe to use a location spoofer?
While effective, location spoofers carry the risk of a soft ban or permanent ban from Pokémon GO. Niantic actively monitors for spoofing activity, and if caught, they will ban your account. Use such apps with extreme caution.
2. Can I use a VPN to avoid getting banned while spoofing?
Using a VPN can indeed add a layer of security by masking your IP address. Always connect to a VPN before using any GPS spoofer apps. Match your VPN’s server location with the virtual location set within the app for best results.
3. Can I play Pokémon GO without Wi-Fi or a cellular connection?
Yes, you can. By downloading the map of your desired location within Google Maps, you can play Pokémon GO without an active internet connection. However, you will still need to connect to the internet to complete certain actions, such as receiving research tasks or purchasing items in the shop.
4. Will walking around my house trigger steps in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Adventure Sync uses your phone’s built-in pedometer to track your steps. Walking around your home can help you hatch eggs and earn candy.
5. What speed can I move at for steps to count in Pokémon GO?
You need to be traveling at a speed below 12 Mph for it to count as walking, this is how you will hatch your eggs.
6. How does Niantic know if I’m spoofing?
Niantic can detect spoofing by identifying discrepancies between your GPS coordinates and your IP address, among other methods. Using a spoofer changes GPS coordinates, but not your IP address. If these do not match up, then it’s an easy way to detect spoofing activity.
7. Is spoofing considered cheating in Pokémon GO?
Yes, spoofing is considered cheating because it violates Niantic’s Player Guidelines and Terms of Service. Engaging in spoofing activities can lead to your account getting banned.
8. Is it illegal to spoof my location in Pokémon GO?
Location spoofing in Pokémon GO is not illegal in itself, but it is a direct violation of the game’s terms of service.
9. How long does a soft ban last?
A soft ban typically lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the severity of the violation. The more distance you travel virtually in the game, the longer the soft ban will last.
10. Can I use my Pokémon GO Plus while in Airplane Mode?
You cannot use a Pokémon Go Plus while in airplane mode because it requires a bluetooth connection to your smartphone. The bluetooth on your phone has to be on, in order to make that connection.
11. Can I use a third party app like iPogo?
iPogo is a location spoofing app, so using it to spoof locations increases your chance of getting banned from the game.
12. What are the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Some of the rarest Pokémon include Sandile, Gholdengo, Salazzle, Pikachu Libre, Volcarona, Galarian Legendary Birds, Frigibax, and Azelf, Mesprit & Uxie.
13. What are some alternatives to spoofing?
Alternatives to spoofing include using Incense, Lure Modules, participating in remote Raids, and maximizing Adventure Sync by walking around your home.
14. Can I get banned for using a VPN without spoofing?
No, using a VPN alone will not get you banned from Pokemon Go. The main reason to use a VPN is to mask your IP address when using a spoofing app.
15. How much data does Pokémon GO use?
Depending on your usage, Pokémon GO uses anywhere from 0.003 GB to 0.025 GB of data per hour. You can play for quite a long time with 1 gigabyte of prepaid data.
Conclusion
While the spirit of Pokémon GO is rooted in exploration, there are many ways to enjoy the game from the comfort of your home. Whether you choose to utilize in-game mechanics to the fullest or explore the world of location spoofing, being aware of the risks and taking precautions is key. Remember to play responsibly, respect the game’s guidelines, and have fun catching ’em all, from the comfort of your sofa!