Pokémon GO: Automatic Ball Throw Starts Major Rollout – Will Accessories Now Become Obsolete?

In Pokémon GO, you'll soon no longer have to tap the screen yourself for every catch attempt and PokéStop spin. A new in-game feature, internally known as the “Explorer Gadget,” is currently being rolled out on a large scale – and takes over the exact task that previously required extra hardware like the Poké Ball Plus.

Exactly What the New Auto-Catcher Does

The feature automatically throws Poké Balls at Pokémon that appear within your range, and also spins PokéStops, all without you having the app actively open in the foreground. The function was already tested in July in individual regions, and now the rollout wave is reaching significantly more countries – including the USA, Canada, Spain, and India, according to reports. Developer studio Scopely has not yet officially confirmed the feature, which is not surprising, as major rollouts for Pokémon GO traditionally occur gradually and without much announcement before an official patch note entry follows at the end.

What This Means for Poké Ball Plus, GO-tcha, and Similar Devices

For those who have previously invested in physical accessories, this is an interesting development. Devices like the Poké Ball Plus or third-party gadgets such as the GO-tcha were primarily bought for years to do exactly what the new auto-catcher now does for free directly in the app: throw balls and spin stops, without constantly having to look at your phone. Until now, these accessory devices could be justified by the fact that they saved battery life and allowed catching even with the screen off. If the app itself offers this function reliably in the future, the incentive to buy new accessory hardware is likely to drop significantly – however, those who already own one will lose nothing, as the devices remain usable.

What this means for you in practice: Should you discover the feature in your app in the coming days, you will likely find it in the settings related to assistance or convenience functions. Since the rollout is staggered regionally, it's possible that it hasn't appeared for you yet, even if friends nearby can already use it.

Source: Nintendo Life

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