Summary
- Pokemon GO will soon be unplayable on some older mobile devices due to updates ending support for 32-bit Android devices.
- Affected players should save their login information and consider upgrading their phones to continue playing after the updates in March and June 2025.
- The year 2025 promises exciting developments for the Pokemon franchise, with planned and rumored game releases.
Pokemon GO is set to become inaccessible on certain older mobile devices, with some phones losing access as early as March 2025. This change will only affect 32-bit Android devices, meaning players who haven't upgraded their phones in a while may need to consider a trade-in to keep enjoying the game.
Since its launch in July 2016, Pokemon GO has celebrated nearly nine years of engaging players in an augmented reality experience, where they explore the real world to catch and battle Pokemon. The game reached a peak of around 232 million active players in its debut year, and as of December 2024, it still boasts over 110 million players in a 30-day period.
However, the game's developer, Niantic, is moving forward with updates to enhance performance on newer devices, which means ending support for 32-bit Androids. The official Pokemon GO website announced on January 9 that specific older phone models will no longer be supported after updates in March and June 2025. The first update will impact some Android devices that downloaded the game from the Samsung Galaxy store, while the second will affect 32-bit Android devices that got Pokemon GO through Google Play. The development team provided a list of affected phones, though it's not exhaustive. Importantly, 64-bit Android devices and all iPhones will continue to be supported.
Pokemon GO Ending Support for the Following Devices:
- Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Note 3, J3
- Sony Xperia Z2, Z3
- Motorola Moto G (1st generation)
- LG Fortune, Tribute
- OnePlus One
- HTC One (M8)
- ZTE Overture 3
- Certain Android devices released before 2015
The developers recommend that affected players save their login details, as they can still access their accounts after upgrading to a compatible device. However, until they upgrade, they won't be able to play the game or access their purchased Pokecoins.
While this news may be disappointing for some, 2025 looks promising for the Pokemon franchise. Fans can look forward to Pokemon Legends: Z-A, with a confirmed release date still pending, and rumors of other exciting titles like remakes of Pokemon Black and White and a new addition to the Let's Go series. Although specifics about Pokemon GO in 2025 remain unclear, a leaked date for a Pokemon Presents show on February 27 might shed more light on what's to come.
