Nintendo has just released the fancy new Poké Ball Plus alongside Pokémon: Let's Go! on Switch, but the orb-like device isn't just used to control that game and earn steps while you walk - it can also be used to imitate the Pokémon GO Plus accessory that launched a while back.
Pokémon GO has been updated this week to include this functionality, so before you do anything, make sure you're running version 0.37.0 or later. Done that? Then you're ready to get started.
First up, ensure you've got Bluetooth enabled on your phone, then open the Pokémon GO application. Go to Settings and then scroll down until you see the Poké Ball Plus option. Don't tap it yet, however; first, press the A button on your Poké Ball Plus (that's the one on the control stick) so that the white LED flashes, denoting that the Poké Ball Plus is in 'discoverable' mode.
Once you've done this, tap the Poké Ball Plus option - the device should appear there, waiting for you to tap it to start pairing with your phone.
This might sound like an odd way of doing things, but we've found on three different Android handsets that if you enter the menu first without the device being discoverable, the Poké Ball Plus doesn't appear. This may well be a bug that is fixed in future updates, so you may want to try both approaches if this one doesn't work for you right away.
Once you've done this, you're asked if you wish to enable the Poké Ball Plus with the app itself. You're then given a message that confirms the connection.
The Poké Ball Plus is now linked to your phone and acts exactly like a Pokémon GO Plus. It will vibrate and flash when you're near a Pokéstop (blue LED) or close to a monster (green LED), and saves you the bother of having to take your phone out of your pocket to play the game. To interact with the game, simply press the B button (that's the one on the top, on the red section of the device).
It's worth noting that the Poké Ball Plus can only be connected to one device at a time (obvious, really), so if you're shifting between Let's Go on Switch and Pokémon GO, you'll need to make sure you disconnect the Poké Ball Plus from that device before you can link it to the other. To do this on Switch, press Home and then select the controller option to repair your console with a different controller. On Pokémon GO, simply tap the Poké Ball Plus icon which appears in the top-right corner of the screen. It will turn grey, denoting that the device has been disconnected.
Comments 11
Does the Pokeball Plus track steps on its own? I’m planning on connecting it to my iPad so my kid can earn steps via this instead of logging into my phone.
I know stops and Pokemon can’t be done as there would be no Internet.
@Siddif Yes, the official website seems to confirm that it does
https://pokeballplus.nintendo.com/
Edit: Hopefully it'll work with any smart device, not just your phone.
If I understand this right, I need to explicitly unpair the device when I want to connect it to the Switch or my phone?
It can only be paired to one device at a time?
I walk around at school alot, so this will finally make it so I can evolve my Ivysaur by walking candies!
@HerroThar I’m not too sure it says “as long as it’s connected” it will count steps. Im getting it anyway and if it doesn’t work I can just pair to my phone. Once tested I can report back
@Siddif Yes, true :/
does the game need to be running on my phone and wasting battery to do this?
I'm guessing if you have say two pokeball +'s you can have one paired with Pokemon Go and one paired with Pokemon Let's Go?
I kinda want this but as I don't play Pokémon Go It's use is limited. I'll get it when it's half off.
I'm in the US on current version, apparently 0.127.2 and after following the steps above still can't have it see my Pokeball Plus. Anyone else still having issues as well.
@Hyrule I have since used it. You can have the same Pokeball Plus paired with with Let’s Go and Pokemon Go. As long as it isn’t actively being used with one of the games it can be simply connected with the other.
Turning on the Switch will allow to connect with that. Opening Pokemon Go on smartphone there is a Pokeball you can click to make them search for each other.
Any Pokemon stored in the ball earns extra exp while you play Go also.
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