Ethan Crossfield 
Mobile games increasingly use companion hardware and optional purchases to keep players engaged when they cannot actively play. Pokémon GO has followed that model for years, but Scopely Explore has now introduced a built-in alternative: the Explorer Gadget, a free feature that gives eligible players limited automatic catching and PokéStop spinning without requiring a separate device.
A Long-Standing Hardware Advantage Becomes Free
Players above Level 20 should now find the Explorer Gadget in their Pokémon GO inventory. Its basic function resembles products such as the Pokémon GO Plus+: it uses standard Poké Balls to catch Pokémon nearby and can spin PokéStops while the player is away from the app.
That convenience previously depended largely on buying official hardware or choosing a less expensive third-party accessory. Nintendo’s Pokémon GO Plus+ and similar devices can cost $50 or more, making automatic interaction with the game an additional expense rather than a standard feature.
Explorer Gadget Has Clear Daily Limits
The new tool is useful, but it is not a complete replacement for a physical auto-catcher. Its activity limit is tied to the player’s level. For example, a Level 60 player can catch 60 Pokémon with the feature before it stops for the day. The Explorer Gadget can also spin PokéStops, but the available activity is capped according to the same level-based limit described for the feature.
It is restricted to one use per day and will stop early if the player runs out of room in their Pokémon or item inventories. Physical devices remain more flexible because they can generally be restarted and used again during the same day. The Explorer Gadget also lacks the sleep-tracking functions associated with the Pokémon GO Plus+.
A Safer, Lower-Cost Option for Players
Automatic catching has long offered a practical way to interact with Pokémon GO without constantly looking at a phone. That matters in a game whose history includes players getting into trouble while playing in unsafe situations or entering places they should not. A built-in option cannot solve every safety issue, but it gives more players a way to reduce active phone use during walks and other activities.
The removal of the hardware barrier may be especially meaningful for players on limited budgets. Instead of spending money on an auto-catcher, they can direct that budget toward other parts of the game, including avatar items or Remote Raid passes.
What This Could Mean for Pokémon GO’s Next Decade
The Explorer Gadget is a modest addition, but it reflects a broader effort to keep Pokémon GO useful beyond its original launch design. The game has continued evolving for a decade, and not every change has pleased its community. Still, adding a limited version of a previously paid convenience could strengthen goodwill while preserving reasons to own dedicated hardware.
Scopely Explore has not eliminated the advantages of devices such as the Pokémon GO Plus+. Instead, it has created an entry-level option for players who want occasional automation without another purchase. That balance could help the game remain accessible while keeping its accessory ecosystem relevant.
Key points
- Players above Level 20 should receive the Explorer Gadget in their inventory.
- It uses standard Poké Balls to catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops.
- Its daily activity limit is tied to the player’s level and it can be used once per day.
- Physical auto-catchers still offer repeat use and features the Explorer Gadget does not provide.
Expert View
The feature signals a more accessible approach to Pokémon GO’s convenience systems. By offering limited auto-catching for free, Scopely Explore can reduce friction for newer and budget-conscious players without fully replacing the paid hardware that offers greater flexibility. For the community, the change is likely to be viewed as a meaningful quality-of-life improvement rather than a complete shift in how the game is monetized.
