When the subject of Pokémon Go is brought up, the typical response is “Do people still play it?”The answer is a resounding yes!
While the game doesn’t drive the zeitgeist like it did when it launched, it maintains a community of players who have stayed with it over the years. Pokémon Go remains in the top 10 highest grossing apps (not just games) on the App Store and doesn’t rank in the top 10 on Google Play. In fact, the most profitable year for the app was 2020, with 2021 being the next best year.
And now there are so many interesting things in the game! With personal and remote raids, Go Battle League, Team Rocket encounters, Mega Evolutions, interaction with friends, seasonal content, research challenges, and more, the game is much more interesting than it was at launch.
If you’re interested in getting back into the game, there are some essential companion apps that will maximize your enjoyment and achievement.
Get rewarded for returning to Pokémon Go
Now, when you return to the game after a long break (at least 90 days), you need to get a referral code from the current player. Have your friend tap their in-game avatar, then the Friends tab and the Invite button. This will give you both in-game rewards for completing a special set of research tasks. (Please note that referral bonuses are not available for child accounts.)
When you sign in to Pokémon Go, you will have the option to enter a referral code. (If you need one, here’s mine: JRCXJB83Q.) This process must be completed within 72 hours of returning to the game.
Application 1: bonfire
Campfire, published by Pokémon Go creator Niantic, serves as the social component and extended map for all of the developer’s games. You can use the messaging features to chat with friends in the game and organize raid parties, and the map allows you to view upcoming and active raids around the world, not just nearby like on the in-game map.
The app is currently in invite-only beta, so you’ll need to request an invite from a player in a test group. The map feature is already invaluable, but the social components will need more implementation to be useful in organizing raids and more. Luckily, there are active alternatives for finding partners, which we will cover in the next apps on this list.
Appendix 2: Pokémon House
The official Pokémon Company app, Pokémon Home, lets you bring pocket monsters you capture in Pokémon Go to Nintendo Switch games.
In addition, this is the only possible way to turn the mythical Meltan into Melmetal, a powerful gladiator for PvP (player versus player) and PvE (player versus environment). While you’re getting Meltan through the Special Research storyline, you’ll need 400 candies to turn it into Melmetal.
Once you’ve installed Pokémon Home and connected it to your Pokémon Go account, go to Settings in Pokémon Go, then scroll Pokémon Home down. Follow the on-screen instructions to send Pokémon you’d otherwise discard to Pokémon Home.
Then open Pokémon Home to complete the transfer. This will give you a special refillable incense called the Mystery Box. Open it to attract and capture meltans.
The incense lasts an hour, but you can repeat the transfer process after a three-day cooling period to use it again. After a few turns, you will have enough candy to turn Meltan into Melmetal.
Appendix 3: Pokegeni
Each Pokémon has a set of attributes that determine how strong it is in PvP and PvE battles. Combat Strength (CP) measures a creature’s overall strength in combat. However, there is a hidden trio of attributes called Individual Values (IVs) that are revealed through the Score tool found in the hamburger menu for each Pokémon. Each category IV—attack, defense, and hit points—is valued from 0 to 15. Pokémon from 15/15/15 are perfect (or hundo in the language of Go players), but ideal IVs for Battle League are different.
Pokegenie makes IV scoring easier for the Pokémon you’ve caught by giving you an overall percentage score and percentage scores for the Battle League. The Android version includes an overlay button to scan your Pokemon in-game, while iPhone players will need to take a screenshot and import it into Pokegenie for evaluation. The app offers IV Vision to constantly scan your Pokémon, but it’s subscription-locked.
That’s not all. The app also serves as a tool to find partners to conduct and join remote raids. Pokegenie uses the Pokémon Go Friend Invite system to bring together players from all over the world to participate in raids, and recommends your raid team based on Pokémon you’ve previously scanned. The app also includes help guides on font efficiency and move lists.
Appendix 4: Calsi IV
For Android players, there is a very effective Pokemon scoring alternative called Calcy IV. It offers ad-supported automatic and manual scanning to evaluate captured pocket monsters and predict performance during encounters, but you can also upgrade to the premium version with an in-app purchase. The app also offers tools to simulate combat, type effectiveness, and possible movesets.
- Play Store Link: Calcy IV (Free)
Appendix 5 Field Guide
This app is your one-stop-shop for everything that’s happening in the game. It keeps track of active and upcoming events and active game bonuses. It also contains a repository of information on current Pokémon being hatched, Team Go Rocket rosters, special research rewards, current Ditto disguises, and more. You can also use it to find and exchange friend codes.
App 6: Discord
Until Campfire really catches fire, Discord is the best place to start raiding. You just need to find a server to join. Discord is made for gamers, and a well-organized server usually includes multiple channels for different game components.
App 7: Facebook Messenger
Like Discord, Messenger is useful for setting up raids or even figuring out where hundreds of people have turned up live, but you’ll have to use your own networking skills to gain access to an active group. Messenger lacks support for Discord channels, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when a group is focused on a single goal.
App 8: Reddit
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the Go Field Guide, there are several Reddit communities to gather information. Highly recommended subreddits include r/thesilphroad and r/pokemongo, and r/PokemonGoFriends is a great place to find friends and raid groups.
App 9: Twitter
Like Reddit, Twitter is a handy resource for crowdsourced gaming information. You can get real-time game updates from the official @PokemonGoApp account, but some helpful Twitter users like @Leekduck create useful infographics for active events. You can also follow @MikeNerdlaw and his ongoing but polite quest to add Cowboy Hate Caterpie to the game.
Reddit (left), Twitter (right).
App 10: Google Keep / Apple Notes
As you progress through the game, you may find it useful to save certain information for quick reference. For example, there is a search bar to filter lower level pocket monsters to “transfer to the professor”and clear the vault. I found Google Keep indispensable for this on Android, where you can place a widget with all the notes you have bookmarked for a game on your home screen.
While Google Keep is available for Android and iOS, the built-in Notes app is the best option if you have an iPhone, especially for widgets.
- App Store Link: Notes (Free)
Google Keep (left), Apple Notes (right).
App 11: Maps / Waze
When looking at the map view in Pokémon Go, you may find that you don’t know how to get to a Pokéstop or the gym. Luckily, you can view the coordinates of your destination in your preferred mapping application. Campfire also has the option to go to the gym through available mapping apps.
Again, Google Maps and Waze are OS independent, but if you’re using an iPhone, you may prefer Apple’s own Maps app.
- App Store Link: Maps (Free)
App 12: YouTube
There are several helpful and/or very interesting contributors to the game to keep an eye on. Like and subscribe to videos from Zoe Two Dots, Trainer Tips and Mystic7. The best writers often travel to events like Go Fest, so you can relive them vicariously.
App 13: Twitch
Do you want to learn from professionals? Twitch is the clear leader in the number of game broadcasts from the best players. Now that Pokémon Go has gained some legitimacy in esports circles, Twitch is also your place to watch tournaments.
YouTube (left), Twitch (right).
Honorable Mention: DeFit
This application has a caveat: it technically violates the rules and conditions of the game. (Maybe this is actually a shameful mention?) However, there is a gray area in how the game tracks steps for hatching eggs and getting candy.
The Adventure Sync feature in the game imports the number of steps from Google Fit, even when the game is inactive. Now, if you’re exercising on a stationary bike, shouldn’t that count towards your step count? Some will say yes.
Defit emulates the number of steps based on a given tempo and imports them into Google Fit, which will sync with Pokémon Go. I was told that in order to count the steps in the game, you need to make sure that the game is closed.
- Play Store Link: DeFit (Free)
The app is only available for Android. For iPhone users, phone rockers are available for purchase that trick your device’s pedometer into counting steps.
Either way, proceed with caution.