Your biggest Pokémon Go questions, answered
Welcome! You, like the rest of Planet Earth, are playing Pokemon Go and want to learn more about how you play. Since I've been playing the game since the beta and im happy to share what I've learned thus far with those less fortunate. Follow along below for the answers to some of the most pressing Pokemon Go questions — and let me know in the comments if you have any others. Check back, since im updating this guide regularly.
If you happen to be in the "what's a Pokemon" stage of your investigation, I've made an additional guide: Six Pokemon Go tips for the ultimate beginner. Read that, then come back here!
How do I log into the game?
There are two options for logging into Pokemon Go. The easier method is to use an existing Google account. Otherwise, players can either sign in with or sign up for a Pokemon Trainer Club account, which comes with added privileges. These include a subscription to a monthly newsletter, which sometimes offers download codes for rare Pokemon.
Can I name and customize my trainer?
You sure can! Nicknames must only be spelled with letters and numbers, and if you have a common name, you may already be out of luck: There are no duplicates allowed. (To whoever already took the name "Allegra," we've got our eye on you.)
Naming aside, there are several skin tones, hair colors and outfits to choose from. The selection is slightly less varied than what's available in Pokemon X and Y, for reference.
Do I get a starter Pokemon?
Long answer: Once your trainer has a name, Professor Willow — this game's leading Pokemon scholar — will walk you through catching Pokemon. He doesn't outright give you a starter, instead directing you to the open map around you, where a Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle appear out of nowhere. Trainers can choose which of the three they want to catch and, at the conclusion of the world's easiest battle, whoever they picked will now be theirs.
How to get Pikachu as your starter in Pokemon Go
There's a secret fourth starter Pokemon, however. If Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle aren't quite your speed, there's a way to choose Pikachu instead. The method, which involves walking away from the initial trio multiple times, is a little bit complicated, but if Pikachu's your favorite, it may be worth the effort. Check out our breakdown on what you have to do to start the game with Pikachu for more.
This is the biggest change from the recent beta, which some of us tried and didn't quite love late last month. In that version of the game, testers embarked upon their Pokemon journeys unaccompanied.
Sweet! Can I name my Pokemon?
Yep. No worries if you forget to do so once you catch one; you can always go into the Pokemon section of the menu and edit your monsters' names.
How do I get more Pokemon?
Catching is something that isn't especially well-explained in Pokemon Go. As you traverse the real world, as represented on the in-game map, you'll occasionally run into tufts of rustling grass. There's also a handy meter indicating which Pokemon are nearby on the lower right-hand corner of the map.
How to catch a Pokemon in Pokemon Go
By default, this part of the screen shows the three closest Pokemon to your physical location; clicking on it will reveal a wider look at the available Pokemon to catch. Each one has anywhere from one to three footprints underneath it, with one indicating that it's especially close to you and three meaning that you'll have to keep walking to find it.
Keep moving for awhile in the direction of the rustling grass; once you get close enough, a Pokemon will appear on the map, and clicking on it will initiate a battle.
Battles aren't between two Pokemon, though. They're between a Pokemon and your ability to swipe a Poké Ball in their direction. When you engage a Poké Ball, a colored ring will appear around the opponent. These change in size after each capture attempt. Throwing a Ball during a smaller window seems to be more effective, based on our time with the game, but that's a part we're still trying to figure out.