Pokémon GO has just gone live in Australia and Japan, but for the rest of the world, you can't access the app unless you're willing to jump through a few hoops. [Update: it's now also available in the US] Thankfully, we're here to make that process a little easier.
Here's how you can get Pokémon GO on your iOS or Android device right now.
How to install Pokémon GO on iPhone
First of all you're going to need a Mac or PC with iTunes and a little bit of patience. Open the app store on iTunes, make sure you've logged out of your real Apple ID and scroll right down to the bottom right hand corner where you should see a little flag corresponding with your country of residence. Click that and scroll further to select Japan or Australia.
Then you need to find Pokémon GO and attempt to download it. Because you're not logged in it'll ask you to sign into your account, but instead select 'Create New Apple ID'. Agree to the terms and conditions that you've almost certainly read thoroughly and start inputting an email address and password. You'll have to use an email address that isn't registered to a current Apple ID.
Fill in the rest of the page truthfully or however you see fit and then move on. You'll be asked for payment information but because you tried to download a free app 'None' should be highlighted automatically. This is what you want, as otherwise you'd have to input genuine Japanese or Australian credit card details. Under billing address any first and surname will do, but if you're going to use a Japanese account make sure you input some Katakana in the phonetic first and last name boxes, such as 'トクメイ'.
For the billing address you'll need to input a real location and postal code. Taking Japan as the example, we set the postal code to '100-0006', the prefecture as 'Tokyo' from the drop down list, and 'Chiyoda-ku' as the city. The street can be anything you want so '742 Evergreen Terrace' is as good as anything. Lastly you'll need a phone number from the area, but luckily the area code '080' and the number '55555555' work smashingly.
Once you've verified your account you're all done! Simply log into this new Apple ID on your iOS device and download Pokémon GO. When the app requires updating in the future you'll need to sign back into this account so make sure you write the login details down on a piece of paper to be extra safe.
How to install Pokémon GO on Android
Android's open nature means that installing Pokémon Go is a little easier than it is on iOS and doesn't involve creating dummy accounts or making your phone think you're in another part of the world. However, it does come with some risks which have to be considered before proceeding.
On iOS, your only option - unless you're willing to "jailbreak" your phone - is to use the App Store to obtain the game. However, on Android it's possible to download the installation file (known as an .apk) from the internet and "side-load" it onto your Android device - this basically involves disabling the security measure which prevents you from installing apps outside of the Google Play store.
Most Android phones have side-loading disabled by default, so you'll need to go to Settings, then Security (this might be listed as Privacy on some handsets) and tick the box next to "Unknown Sources". You'll get a message which states that the installation of applications outside of the Google Play store comes with obvious risks (such as viruses and malware) - so we'd like to state that we cannot be held responsible for any issues beyond this point.
Pokémon GO requires special permissions to access elements such as your location, contacts and photos, as well as Bluetooth connections (to pair with the Pokémon GO Plus wearable), billing (for in-app purchases) and so on. Your phone (if it's running the latest version of Android) will warn you of this before installation - don't be alarmed, these are the permissions it needs to function properly. For what it's worth, we haven't experienced any issues with the apk we've used.
Various sites online offer apk files for download, and in this case there's no real ethical issue as Pokémon GO is a free-to-play title and doesn't cost money. However, due to the fact that these sites also offer apps and games that are normally paid-for, we won't be linking to any in this guide. Type "Pokémon GO apk" into Google and you'll no doubt find several sites offering the file. Which one you choose is very much up to you, and done at your own discretion.
Even though you've side-loaded the game, when it does eventually become available in your region it will receive updates and your user data will be carried over - you don't have to worry about losing progress by installing the game early. The title is listed on Google Play now but can only be downloaded in Japan and Australia - but by all means add it to your wish list so you can grab the update the moment it goes live.
Comments 62
I can only use BlueStacks :c
@RCMADIAX On Android your data is carried over anyway, so you literally have nothing to lose here, assuming you find a legit apk.
Meh I'll just wait! I'm way too lazy to do all that!! 😜
Hm... better play 3DS for real Pokemon experience.
Just wait until November 2016 for Sun and Moon edition.
Just download it from APKmirror. They don't have paid APKs or any of that, just free ones. (Before anyone reports me, check the website for yourselves and their FAQ)
Once again... The app is also available in New Zealand. Which is a whole third country.
@RCMADIAX
Well Miitomo is still not released here in Norway and I seriously Wonder it ever will. /shrug
I have a feeling it will be the same crap with Pokemon Go.
As for some idiotic reason Scandinavia is not part of Nintendo of Europe and we are stuck With some terrible distributor that absolutely sucks. We are excluded from practically all Nintendo campains all the time and were never part of Club Nintendo in the past, eventhough games were sold With the Club Nintendo codes here, which were useless and just another stab in the back to Scandinavian Nintendo fans.
Just look how terrible Nintendo.no website is for example. /shrug
Knowing the size of Pokemon GO would be nice..
@Zoriam Takes up about 110MB on my Android.
I'm patient, I can wait.
@RCMADIAX Miitomo is still not available where I live, and I doubt Pokémon GO will anytime soon. So yeah, thanks for the guide NF!
"This application is incompatible with all of your devices"
I guess I'm screwed
This could be a big one.
Cool, nice tutorial. I'm fairly busy at work recently, so I'll wait a few days for it to appear through normal means, then download the .apk over the weekend if it still hasn't arrived.
@Zoriam 155MB on iOS.
Don't work on my Samsung Galaxy s3 Running KitKat. it just says app not installed. well guess ill test on my first gen kindle. lol
@Kafei2006 That's cos you're not in Japan or Australia. Follow the guide
I'll wait for the US version in iOS
Wait a minute I have a Japanese apple ID the same one I used to have miitomo so lest do it!!
I can wait for the US version.
Downloading Pokemon Go! from the japanese apple store as we speak!
I am going to wait until the app is officially released on Google Play before I download Pokémon GO.
Now does anyone know whether I am fine with 3GB of mobile data for Pokémon GO?
It is actually only 2.5GB as I have set my phone to disable data as soon as 2.5GB of 3GB is reached.
Is not in the japanese app store, I went to the australian one and found it
@RCMADIAX Except I thought the same about Miitomo, only to have it released 4 months later in Mexico
@Alundra-1998 eh...why? You're wasting money by not using that last 500mb, most phones/networks cut data access when the limit is reached anyway, there's no reason to give the network provider that 500mb you're already paying for!
Oh, and I've used about 27mb in the hour or so I've used Pokemon Go today.
@Jeronan I'm not going to jump through hoops to support a company which doesn't support my country either. Here in Brazil, we don't even have a local distributor anymore. Think the Wii U situation is bad worldwide? Imagine buying games at 120 dollars.
@Mogster The network I am with allows it to keep going as it is a recurring bill and just puts extra on top of the bill unfortunately.
The other reason I cut it off at 2.5GB is because that 500mb is a good amount before the limit and different things use differing data amounts. So to cut it off then is a perfect idea.
I would rather it cut off at 2.5GB than see it cut off at like 3.01GB as that would instantly be classed as "extra use" regardless...
And it dosen't work with root. that is a problem as my device came from the factory rooted. that and alot of android user that could be downloader have root. EDIT* Menu Is Blank. Tap Near The Bottom of the Screen.
I'm not jumpin' thru any hoops for this Poooogemonz crap.
@Jeronan I am also a Norwegian so I know what you are talking about.
I noticed that Niantic are the once who are displayed in the Google Play Store and as Ingress are available here in Norway I do think there are a fair chance we might get Pokémon Go at the same time as the others, or at least the European launch or if not a little bit later as in within a month.
Hopefully we will see Pokémon Go here in Norway soon as well :+).
I can't find it on the Japanese App Store...
I'd like to do this, but on the off chance Niantic blocks me, I'd be heartbroken.
Glad to see most people want to wait than deal with all that. I guess that's why my Twitter feed has been quiet on this. Be interesting to see how people like this game, not sure what to think since walking is involved.
@pabloff9 A currency exchange states 34.99 GBP is 148 BRL.
So you are still getting a roughly better deal than than the usually shafted UK regardless.
I dont feel this is a very appropriate article for nintendo life. Due to the nature of the game it wouldn't be fair to others to install it ahead of release
I don't think it is on the Japanese App Store yet.
Have an account, but it doesn't show up.
Seems to be the case for everyone I think.
But it is available in Australia
Couldn't you have linked an apk?
Going to do something crazy...
Give it your best, Kindle Fire.
WORTH NOTING, ANDROID USERS
Nearly any phone can play the game, but the Play store will block any phone without a gyro sensor. You can sideload it as an APK, legally, (although it goes against the games terms of use!) BUT, without a gyro sensor, you will never be able to see the Pokemon in the world around you- youll just see things through camera normally, in-game, and you'll HEAR pokemon, but never see them.
You can capture Pokemon by turning off AR mode, which replaces the world around you with a generic cartoon background, like in Pokemon battles in the DS games.
Something like 70% of Android phones, and nearly ALL that cost below $200, lack a gyro sensor- My Samsung Galaxy J3 and my previous LG and HTC phones cost about $160 brand new, and none of them have gyro sensors- so, no Pokemon running around in the real world.
All iPhones have a gyro sensor.
I don't know about u guys, but I am going to wait for the official release in the U.S. I am surprised that NintendoLife is reinforces this.
@Lord_Redwood its a free game, so downloading it early isnt illegal. Itd be another thing if this took money away from someone, but I honestly debated dropping $100 on it today. Instead of losing money, the company is getting alll the money today
My Pokemon Go (beta) app updated today. I'm looking at the full version right now.
The servers stopped working in Brazil... But before that, the GPS and AR were accusing problems too, although both the camera and localization were permitted. I hope it releases here soon, we never had Miitomo, but we do have every other Pokémon app on Play Store, so...
@Yoshis95 How so? I mean, they have the game ahead of release and it's unfair that the rest of the world wants to play too?
Are the accounts Global or will USA have their own usernames?
@russellohh I agree with what your saying. I just think it is an unfair edge that some people will have. Other than that, I dont really have a problem. I just hope this doesn't cause any long lasting issues with the pokemon company.
Only problem I found is that if its all going to be global accounts my name and many others have already been taking T_T
I was looking at the picture and then realized that someone actually has the same phone as me lol. Does it work well on the mi5 btw?
@RenanKJ Its not like people from other parts of the world are gonna travel here to start gaining prestige for a pokemon gym. if someone got it ahead of time here they would have an unfair advantage to claim areas
Pokémon Go appeared on the iPhone App Store yesss just noticed!
@RCMADIAX Available on Android Play Store as well.
@RCMADIAX
Well, Miitomo hasn´t been released in Finland. Or Sweden. Or Norway. Or...
But I trust Pokémon Company with this. I don´t know how long it took to release Pokémon Shuffle here for smartphones because at the time I didn't have one. But one things for sure: I´m playing Pokémon GO without any shortcuts wayyyyyyyy before Miitomo arrives here.
Battery-drain super effective!!
Why not wait for the game to be released in your country instead?
@Jeronan I agree! I'm Swedish, and it's the same problem here as well. It seems like Nintendo doesn't care about the smaller countries, and they don't let Bergsala (our distributor) do anything about it either.
There's no commercials for the games at all, and only Disney games are in Swedish (even if that's not a big problem). And the Scandinavian websites are too different, compared to the other European websites.
Not going to do it just in cause you get banned i really want to as i cant wait but i will wait for the official release
WATCH OUT!! In UK AppStore there is a rip off game, called "Catch Em All" its got pictures of Pokémon Go, even has the same description as the official game. BE CAREFUL
@russellohh Sorry about a 5 day old reply, but thank you for that info on the gyro sensor. I played for about an hour and couldn't figure out what was going on. I have a fairly new Samsung Core Prime - only a few months old I think - but it was only $99 MSRP. My wife and son both have $100 Android smartphones too so I'm guessing it won't work. Playing it without the camera seems pointless.
Guess I'll wait to see if they update it, thanks.
@rjejr Someone was rambling that "all androids have a gyro sensor, except maybe the very first gen 6 years ago".
I checked 22 Android phones at BestBuy. 16 didnt have gyro sensors.
I will say that the game is a lot of fun without the camera- you still see the Pokemon running around, he's just on basic cartoon grass. Now, if you play a lot at home, a $200 iPad mini, any generation, or a $249 iPad air all have gyro sensors. Not really worth it if you never use iPads, but if ya do, there you go!
@russellohh That gyro sensor thing is pretty weird. I mean all Android devices must have something like that b/c they can all tell if you turn the device sideways or not, mine even has that face recognition thing were it turns the screen off when it gets near your face during a phone call. And b/c I'm an old man and an idiot every time it turns off I pull it away from my face to see what happened and then the screen turns back on, I'll figure that part out eventually. I always keep screen rotation off b/c I hate that too. I'm really too old and cranky for mobile.
Funny thing about the "i" devices, my sisters 3 kids all want to buy an iPod Touch 6th gen, she says they are all the rage. At least that's what her kids tell her. Why somebody would want to spend $199 on a 4" screen I have no idea. I get the "i" love, but I'd rather spend an extra $100 for a Mini, those Touches should come w/ sandpaper. (That's an old Jobs joke.)
@rjejr the tilt sensor determines if its vertical or horizontal- thats a simple on/off switch. The gyro determines 360x360 ish degrees of angle! The other one you're describing is a face proximity sensor, which basically just fires a light beam to your face and registers how close any object is. That one is also pretty basic- its what automatic supermarket doors have used for decades. The gyro sensor is apparently, much more difficult, and expensive to make.
Who knew!
I'm an app developer with 2 dozen tablets and smartphones, and i had to google some of this
@russellohh Thanks for all of that, it makes sense. Kind of defeats the purpose though of releasing an "AR" game for Android if the AR part doens't work on 70% of smartphones. I can understand why they need to "tilt" sensor to work - it would look really weird capturing Pokemon on their side - but it would be nice if they could just fake the part about which way we are facing. I may not even play it b/c of that.
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