Pokémon GO quietly removes a feature players have been using for years
Amidst a big update for long-running mobile game Pokémon GO has surprisingly removed a feature that’s been around for almost two years, buried further down a list of improvements like the new Explorer Gadget.
Since launching a decade ago in 2016, the free-to-play title has brought in a plethora of features to keep Trainers engaged, get more interested, and find ways to get relapsed players to come back over the years: PvP battles, community events, special raids, and constantly evolving maps.
Before developer Niantic was bought by Scopely in 2025, there were a couple of special additions brought to Pokémon GO to integrate Sword & Shield’s Dynamax Pokémon and Max Battles, which ended up being a big hit with players.
Following a new November 2 update, however, one of those features has been taken out whilst tweaking the Explorer Gadget.
Pokémon GO's Power Spots no longer trigger special wild encounters
Scopely has confirmed that certain bonus Pokémon encounters associated with Power Spots have been removed from GO.
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For context, whenever you would visit a Power Spot or defeat the sitting Pokémon there in a Max Battle, you would also have a chance of unlocking extra spawns around said spot, depending on what Dynmax Pokémon you’d leave — like the Kanto starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle), Galar starters (Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble), and other Galar Pokémon like Wooloo or the regional variant of Slowpoke.
In its latest announcement on the Pokémon GO site, the team explained: “To improve the consistency of wild encounters for all players, visiting a Power Spot or placing a Pokémon at a Power Spot after winning a Max Battle will no longer trigger special wild encounters around the Power Spot.”
Those encounters had been available since Power Spots arrived in late 2024, so it does mean that regular players who enjoyed getting those extra spawns will sadly be missing out from now on.
That said, this doesn't mean Power Spots themselves or Max Battles are disappearing; you’ll just need to find those special spawnable Pokémon through other means in the game — including random overworld encounters, Eggs, raids, events, and of course, the Pokémon which spawn as the bosses for those Power Spots & Max Battles.
READ MORE: Pokémon announces Nintendo Switch game shutdown with no way of playing past 'death date'
Pokémon GO's Explorer Gadget is getting a major upgrade
Elsewhere, the much-discussed Pokémon GO Explorer Gadget update brings a welcome improvement for players looking to automate some of their everyday exploring and catching.
Brought to the game after Pokémon GO’s announcement back in August, the Explorer Gadget was initially designed to let you catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops while the game wasn't actively open.
Now, though, Trainers can do both whilst actually playing Pokémon GO, as well — making it easier to collect items and Pokémon without constantly switching between activities. Available to players at level 20 and above, the Explorer Gadget displays a pink Poké Ball icon whenever it's attempting an interaction, though you can still decide to do it yourself if you wish.
It also won't attempt to catch certain Pokémon, including mighty Pokémon, and those not yet registered in the Pokédex.
Other improvements include a dedicated Appraise button, clearer catch reward summaries, and refreshed visuals for PokéStops, Routes, Lure Modules, Mystery Boxes, and Coin Bags.
Topics: Pokemon Go, Pokemon
