Pokémon GO’s Explorer Gadget appears to be entering its widest rollout yet, with new reports of the built-in auto-catcher appearing for Trainers across North America, Europe, and Asia.
The latest wave includes reports from the United States and Canada, alongside new and returning access in countries including Spain and India. This follows the previous test expansion we reported in July, which included countries such as the UK, Germany, and the Philippines.
However, this still does not appear to be a complete global release. Some Trainers in the same countries – and even members of the same household – still do not have access, suggesting the Explorer Gadget remains part of an account-level rollout or A/B test.
Explorer Gadget Rollout Expands Again
A new report from Texas showed the Explorer Gadget appearing in-game with a daily allowance for automatically catching Pokémon and spinning PokéStops. Other Trainers quickly reported receiving the feature across the United States, including the East Coast and California, as well as in Canada.
Reports have also appeared from Spain and India, making this rollout definitely broader than the previous test phases. Taken together with earlier availability in countries such as the UK, Germany, and the Philippines, the Explorer Gadget now appears to be undergoing testing across multiple major regions worldwide.
That said, availability is still inconsistent. One Trainer in Ohio reported that their wife received the Explorer Gadget while their own account did not, despite both playing from the same location. Another Trainer in New York also reported not having access while other US players were receiving the feature.
What is the Explorer Gadget?
The Explorer Gadget is essentially a virtual auto-catcher built directly into Pokémon GO. It can automatically throw Poké Balls at nearby Pokémon and spin PokéStops while exploring, including while Pokémon GO is closed. The item can currently be activated once per day.
Unlike a physical Pokémon GO Plus or GO Plus+, Trainers do not need a separate Bluetooth accessory to use it.
- Automatically throws regular Poké Balls at nearby Pokémon.
Automatically spins PokéStops while exploring.
Can currently be activated once per day.
The Gadget can be paused and resumed during its daily use.
Players testing the feature have also reported that it can be paused and resumed after activation.
Daily Limits Appear to Vary Between Accounts
One of the more interesting parts of the current test is that the Explorer Gadget’s daily catch and PokéStop limits are not the same for every Trainer.
Many players in the latest rollout are reporting limits that match their Trainer level. Examples include a Level 57 Trainer receiving 57 catches and 57 spins, a Level 70 Trainer reporting a limit of 70, and a Level 80 Trainer receiving 80 of each.
However, this is not universal. Other high-level Trainers have reported significantly lower limits, including 30 or 35, suggesting Scopely may currently be testing multiple Explorer Gadget configurations. Community reports indicate there may be at least two different limit structures being tested.
What About Pokémon GO Plus and GO Plus+?
The Explorer Gadget and a physical auto-catching accessory cannot appear to operate simultaneously.
Players report that reconnecting a physical Pokémon GO Plus-style device through the Accessory Devices settings will disable the active Explorer Gadget session for the remainder of that day, allowing the external device to be used again.
Is the Explorer Gadget Now Available Globally?
Not quite, but we’re getting much closer. Trainers across multiple continents are now receiving access, making this look increasingly like a broad worldwide rollout rather than a small regional test. However, because access still varies between accounts in the same region, we would not yet describe the Explorer Gadget as available to all Trainers globally. There has also been no official announcement confirming a full worldwide launch.
If the Explorer Gadget hasn’t appeared on your account yet, you may simply not be included in the current test group. We’ll continue monitoring the rollout as more Trainers gain access.
Previously: Pokémon GO Explorer Gadget Rolling Out to More Countries
