You can change Pokémon GO’s access to your phone’s real location or troubleshoot an inaccurate GPS reading—but the permission setting does not let you choose a different place. Niantic defines falsifying your location as cheating, so this guide covers the supported settings and fixes, not location spoofing.
What “changing your location” actually means
Pokémon GO uses your device’s location. Changing the app’s location permission controls whether it can access that real device location; it does not move your character to another place. Niantic recommends allowing location access for full gameplay. Niantic’s app-permission instructions describe how to change that access.
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If the game is showing your position inaccurately, use the GPS troubleshooting steps below. Trying to feed the game a fabricated location is GPS spoofing, which Niantic identifies as cheating.
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Allow Pokémon GO to use your real location
Niantic’s documented route is to open your phone’s Settings, select Pokémon GO from the app list, open Permissions, and change the location permission. The exact labels and menu placement can vary by operating-system version.
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- 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!
- Android: Open Settings, find Pokémon GO in the apps list, choose Permissions, then allow Location access.
- iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, find Pokémon GO in the app list, and change its Location access setting.
These steps grant access to the device’s location; they do not provide a control for selecting a remote in-game location. See Niantic’s permission help page for its device-specific guidance.
Fix an inaccurate GPS location
When your avatar drifts, jumps, or fails to appear where you are, Niantic recommends checking device support, connection quality, and—on Android—the location-accuracy setting. Tall buildings can interfere with GPS and cause the position to drift or jump. Niantic’s GPS Troubleshooting Guide provides the following checks:
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- 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!)
- Check that your device is supported. An unsupported device may not provide reliable gameplay location.
- Check your internet connection. Make sure the connection is strong; if location remains inaccurate, try Wi-Fi or cellular data. Strong signal bars alone do not guarantee a stable connection.
- If you use Android, enable Improve Location Accuracy. This setting can use non-GPS information, including internal sensors, to help determine location. The setting’s name and location may vary by Android version.
- If you see “Failed to detect location,” check the mock-location developer option. Niantic says the option for selecting a mock location app should be disabled.
Why GPS spoofing is not a supported fix
Niantic’s Gameplay Fairness Policy explicitly includes falsifying location, or GPS location spoofing, in its definition of cheating. It also identifies unauthorized access to game clients or backends through third-party software or add-ons as prohibited behavior. Niantic’s Terms of Service help page separately lists falsifying location, emulators, and modified or unofficial software as examples of violations.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Niantic describes a three-strike enforcement system, but it is not a promise that every account receives three chances. The policy says a first strike is a warning and may include gameplay restrictions for approximately seven days; a second strike is a suspension for approximately 30 days; and a third strike is permanent termination. It also warns that some misconduct can lead to immediate termination without a prior warning. These are Niantic’s published policy descriptions, not a prediction of how a specific case will be handled.
Quick Recap
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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.
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- Package: Silicone Case x1; Hand strap x1. If you need any support please feel free to contact us.
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- 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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