iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To stop Pokémon GO from saving GO Snapshot pictures to your phone, the reliable method is to remove the game’s photo permission in your device settings. The game also offers a per-session choice to discard the photos from a Snapshot session when you exit. Only the first method stops future saving across sessions, and neither one deletes pictures that are already in your photo library.
What the game currently does with Snapshot photos
The official Pokémon GO Help Center article “Taking AR Photos with GO Snapshot” states that “Photos are saved to your device’s memory, even if you take multiple. Note that photo permissions must be enabled for photos to be saved to your device.” In other words, saving is tied to the photo permission the game holds on your phone.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo Pokémon GO Plus + | $139.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon GO Plus + | $124.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon Go Plus + | $99.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Silicone Case for Poke Go Plus + (2023), Go Plus Plus Cover Case with Strap, Soft Protective Case... | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon |
When you leave a Snapshot session, the session gallery lets you choose Save or Don’t Save. The same help article lists Reality Blending, Burst Mode, and Self Timer among the camera settings. It does not describe a persistent, in-game switch that turns off saving for good.
The original GO Snapshot announcement from February 11, 2019 went further, saying that “all photos are saved to your device automatically.” That was a description of the feature at launch. Treat it as the historical behavior, not as a guarantee that applies in every situation, because the current help article ties saving to permissions.
#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!
Option 1: Turn off the photo permission
This is the only approach the official help article connects to stopping device saving. Because the game cannot write to your photo library without permission, removing that permission prevents new Snapshot pictures from being saved to your phone.
iPhone
A third-party iPhone tutorial from SolveYourTech documents this route. It was written and tested on iOS 12.1.4, so the labels may be different on your version.
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!)
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and select Pokémon GO.
- Tap Photos.
- Choose the option that gives the game no access to photos. The tutorial’s label was Never; current iOS versions may use different wording, so pick the no-access option on your screen.
This is a device permission, not a setting inside GO Snapshot. Pictures you have already taken remain in Photos. If you see a limited or add-only option, choose no access if you want to be certain the game cannot save anything.
Android
The official help article confirms the photo-permission requirement but does not list current Android screens, and Android menu names vary by version and manufacturer. The general route is usually:
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!)
- Open the phone’s Settings app.
- Go to Apps (sometimes under Apps & notifications) and select Pokémon GO.
- Open Permissions.
- Select the photo or media permission if one is listed, then choose the option that denies access.
Follow the labels on your own device, since the exact names may differ.
Option 2: Choose Don’t Save at the end of a session
If you only want to skip the pictures from one play session, use the session gallery when you exit Snapshot and select Don’t Save. This affects only the photos in that session. The next Snapshot session presents the same choice again.
Rank #4
- 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.
- Premium Silicone Material for Comfort & Safety: Crafted from high-quality silicone, this case delivers a soft, pleasant touch while shielding your Poke GO Plus+ from scratches, dirt, and daily wear.
- Portable Design with Wrist Strap: The built-in hand strap allows you to wear the case on your wrist, ensuring easy portability and hands-free convenience during outdoor adventures.
- 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.
Comparing the two approaches
| Approach | Scope | Platforms | What the official sources establish | What is not established |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose Don’t Save on exit | Only the photos from the current session | Snapshot sessions in the game | The exit gallery offers Save or Don’t Save (Help Center) | Not stated as a persistent setting |
| Remove Pokémon GO’s photo permission | All future saves until you change the permission back | iPhone (tutorial route); Android (general navigation) | Saving requires photo permissions (Help Center) | Not stated whether other game features change (Help Center) |
Use the session choice if you still want to save some photos occasionally. Use the permission if you want nothing saved at all.
Photos you have already saved
Changing the permission or choosing Don’t Save does not remove pictures that already exist. Delete them in your phone’s Photos app (iPhone) or Google Photos or Gallery app (Android), depending on where they were stored. Deleted items may stay in a recently-deleted folder for a while before they are removed permanently.
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!)
Buddy photos are not covered by these sources
Some players ask how to stop saving of buddy pictures as well. The official sources reviewed for this article document saving for GO Snapshot pictures only. They do not say whether buddy interactions follow the same saving rules, so this article cannot confirm a separate method for them. If buddy photos are still saved after you remove the photo permission, the official Pokémon GO Help Center or the game’s support channels are the places to check for current behavior.
Checking that it worked
- Take a test Snapshot picture, then exit and check your photo library for a new image.
- If the picture still appears, confirm the Pokémon GO photo permission is set to no access in your device settings.
- If you chose Don’t Save on exit and the picture still appeared, the session choice did not apply to that session, so retry the exit step and select Don’t Save before leaving.
Keep in mind that changing the permission can also affect other photo features in the game, and the official help article does not describe those effects.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
