A new in-game auto-catcher for Pokémon GO, referred to as the Explorer Gadget, is currently being rolled out to players. Recent reports confirm that the feature has reached users in the United States, though it remains unannounced by the developer.
Quick Facts
- The feature enables automatic Pokéball throwing and PokéStop spinning.
- Functionality is limited to when the Pokémon GO app is suspended.
- Performance, including catch rates and spin frequency, appears to vary by user, suggesting an active testing phase.
Understanding the Rollout
The feature was identified by dataminers, including the PokeMiners community, who discovered code referencing a "gadget that automatically throws Pokéballs and spins PokéStops for you while exploring." While the feature has begun appearing on player devices, it has not been officially confirmed by the developer.
Because the implementation appears to vary between players—with different limits on the number of Pokémon caught or stops spun—it is likely that the system is currently in a testing phase rather than a finalized state. Players who have the feature enabled can locate an icon for it on the right side of the main game screen.
Impact on Gameplay
The potential addition of an official in-game auto-catcher has prompted discussion regarding the future of physical companion devices. Many players have expressed interest in the convenience of an integrated system, as it would remove the need to carry and charge external hardware. However, questions remain regarding how the feature will be monetized, with speculation on whether it will be tied to specific events or require micro-transactions for different types of Pokéballs.