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If Pokémon GO cannot access your location or shows the wrong spot, you can change its real-location permission or troubleshoot your phone’s GPS. Those steps do not let you choose a remote in-game location. Falsifying GPS location is cheating under Niantic’s policy and can put your account at risk.
What “changing your location” can mean
There are two different issues behind this phrase:
- Changing location permission: You allow or prevent Pokémon GO from accessing your phone’s actual location. This can help the game use where you really are, but it does not move your character somewhere else.
- Correcting inaccurate GPS: You troubleshoot the device or connection when the game’s location is drifting, jumping, or failing to register.
- Falsifying location: Making the game receive location data that does not reflect your actual position is GPS spoofing. Niantic defines it as cheating, so this guide does not provide spoofing instructions.
Allow Pokémon GO to access your real location
Niantic recommends enabling location permission for full gameplay. Its documented route is to open your phone’s Settings, find Pokémon GO in the app list, open its Permissions, and change the Location setting. The precise labels and menu locations can vary by operating-system version.
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- Open your device’s Settings.
- Find Pokémon GO in the list of apps.
- Open the app’s Permissions.
- Change the Location permission to allow access.
For the device-specific help page, see Niantic’s Pokémon GO app-permissions instructions. Allowing access gives the app permission to use the device’s location; it does not provide a setting to select a different city or destination.
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If your location is wrong, drifting, or jumping, try Niantic’s recommended checks:
#1 Best Overall
- The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Check device support. Make sure you are playing on a supported device.
- Check the connection. Confirm the internet connection is strong. If location accuracy is poor, try Wi-Fi or cellular data. Strong signal bars alone do not guarantee a stable connection.
- Consider your surroundings. Niantic notes that GPS can drift or jump around tall buildings.
- On Android, improve location accuracy. Turn on Improve Location Accuracy. Android may combine GPS with other information, including internal sensors.
- For “Failed to detect location,” check mock-location settings. Niantic says the developer option for selecting a mock location app should be disabled.
Menu names and availability can vary by Android version and device. Follow the controls available on your phone, and consult the Pokémon GO GPS Troubleshooting Guide for Niantic’s guidance.
Why GPS spoofing can lead to account penalties
Niantic’s Gameplay Fairness Policy explicitly identifies falsifying location—GPS location spoofing—as cheating. Its examples of prohibited conduct also include accessing game clients or backends without authorization through third-party software or add-ons. Niantic’s Terms of Service help page separately lists falsifying location, emulators, and modified or unofficial software as examples of violations.
Rank #2
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
The policy describes these enforcement steps:
- First strike: A warning, with possible gameplay restrictions for approximately seven days.
- Second strike: Suspension for approximately 30 days.
- Third strike: Permanent termination of the account.
These are the approximate stages described in Niantic’s published policy, not a promise that every case will receive three strikes. The policy warns that some misconduct can result in immediate termination without a prior warning.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
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- Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
- Package: Silicone Case x1; Hand strap x1. If you need any support please feel free to contact us.
Rank #3
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
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