How to Bypass a Ban in Pokemon Go

Aaron Donald April 2, 2023

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When it first launched in July 2016, Pokemon Go took the gaming world by storm. While it remains hugely popular to this day, it can leave a lot to be desired depending on where you live. If you live in a remote or less populated area, unique Pokemon might be few and far between with Pokestops nowhere in sight. What’s more, the game may not even be available in your country.

In this guide, we’ll outline how you can get past these restrictions on your device so that you can unlock a treasure trove of Pokemon adventures as soon as possible.

How to Bypass a Ban in Pokemon Go

Millions of gamers have been affected worldwide by restrictions being enforced on their gaming apps and it’s no different for Pokemon aficionados. For example, both China and Iran have imposed bans on Pokemon Go, citing security risks. The good news is that you don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because of your location. By using a secure and reliable VPN service, such as ExpressVPN, you can bypass these bans and similar limitations and experience the full scope of the Pokemon phenomenon.

How a VPN Works

A VPN ensures that your information remains safe when you connect to the internet. It safeguards your privacy by disguising your IP address, which can reveal your personal data and info about your online activity. With a VPN, before connecting to a website, you first go through a special server that acts as a shield between you and third parties. This extra security layer also changes the location data of your device, so it not only boosts privacy protection but gives you access to restricted content as well. When you want to use a VPN for games, it’s useful to pair it with a spoofing app. This way, third parties will have trouble figuring out you’ve got your hands on a previously unavailable game.

Using ExpressVPN and a GPS spoofing app simultaneously allows you to pick your Pokemon Go location. If you only rely on a VPN to change the location, you risk Pokemon Go detecting that your IP address information doesn’t align with your device’s GPS coordinates. This can result in a ban or a suspension. For this reason, spoofing apps combined with a VPN service are a good solution for changing your digital location.

Fortunately, this is possible for both Android and iOS devices.

How to Change Your Pokemon Go Location on an Android Device

If you’ve been itching to get in on the Pokemon hunt, it’s relatively simple to adjust your location on an Android device. To do so, follow these steps:

Decide on a VPN service and register for it. Our recommendation is ExpressVPN.
Find Express VPN in the Google Play Store.
Download and install it on your Android device.
Go back to the Google Play Store and download a GPS spoofing app. One such app is Mock Locations, but you can always research and choose an app you think will work best for you.
Go to your Android settings and choose “About Phone.”
Scroll down and swiftly click “Build Number” seven times to activate developer mode.
Return to settings and select “System.” Now tap on “Advanced” and enter “Developer options.”
Pick the “Mock Locations App” option.
What you’ll now need to get and install is a “Mock Mock Locations” module, so that Pokemon Go won’t be able to detect you’ve got your mock location switched on. Download, install and turn on the module.
Activate your mobile VPN and select a location where you’d like to hunt for Pokemon.
Check that the spoofing app is running and pick the same place so that the coordinates on the VPN and the app match up.

And you’re all set, Android users! Open up Pokemon Go and catch them all.

How to Change Your Pokemon Go Location on an iOS Device

This process is somewhat similar to what we’ve had in the previous sections, but there are some key differences, so make sure you carefully follow the instructions:

Decide on a VPN service and register for it. Our recommendation is ExpressVPN.
Find Express VPN in the App Store. Download and install it on your iOS device.
Now you’ll need to jailbreak your device. This means you’ll be free to download third-party apps, which are typically not available due to Apple’s restrictions. To jailbreak your device, follow this guide from Twitgoo.
Now that you have a jailbroken device, you need a place to find appropriate software for such devices. Use Cydia for this.
Download and install tsProtector, an app that will block Pokemon Go from seeing that you’re using a jailbroken device.
Also on Cydia, download the Location Spoofer app.
Make sure that both the “Location Spoofer” and tsProtector are activated, and select your place in the Spoofer app.
Switch on your mobile VPN and pick a place that aligns with the area you put in the Spoofer app.

It’s never been easier to start your journey of becoming a Pokemon champion!

Common Warnings and Bans in Pokemon Go

While a VPN decreases the chances of your account getting flagged, it’s always good to know some of the most common warnings and bans in Pokemon Go. The game uses a three-strike policy to prevent cheating. While the rules of the policy are still not completely clear, the following outline of warnings and bans will help you navigate the game more carefully:

Third Party Application Warning

This warning appears when the system identifies a blacklisted app on your device. Don’t worry. It doesn’t impact your game because it doesn’t focus on location spoofing apps. Instead, it flags bots and online trackers.

Soft Ban

A soft ban occurs when the system suspects you’re using a location spoofer. It can happen whenever you move too quickly, which means even if you’re simply traveling in a moving vehicle. If you’ve been softbanned, you lose the ability to capture Pokemon or access PokeStops. It’s not a severe ban, and you can just wait it out. The time limit is around two hours.

While you’re softbanned, a circle will form around you based on the location of your last completed action in the game. While you won’t be able to play outside the circled area, moving within the circle should do the trick and undo the ban. Alternatively, be patient.After two hours, the circle will shrink by itself, and you’ll be able to resume your gameplay as usual. Before switching to a new location through your VPN, wait for about two hours so that the system won’t flag you.

Shadow Ban

With a soft ban, you won’t see rare Pokemon, but you’ll still be able to catch regular Pokemon. If you’ve been shadowbanned, a“Warning Notification” will appear when you log in, and you need to confirm that you’ve received the notice. It usually happens when the system notices third-party apps, but it can also result from using GPS spoofing software.

Since it’s a more serious ban, its duration is at least one week. To prevent this situation from escalating to more severe limitations, players need to sit tight and wait it out while enjoying the aspects of the game still available to them. It’s usually issued as a strike one action.

Temporary Ban

A temporary ban happens for the same reasons a shadowban does, but the punishment is longer and harsher. You get locked out of your account for one to two months. When this period passes, you’ll be able to get into your account again. It counts as a strike two action. If the system suspects your activity a third time, the ban will be permanent.

Permanent Ban

A permanent ban means you will lose all access to your account. You can appeal this ban on Niantic’s official website, but they’ve stated that they overturn a tiny number of terminations.

These bans sound ominous but remember that a mix of personal responsibility and a secure VPN will help you finish every game unscathed.

Combining ExpressVPN With a Location Spoofer Makes Everything Easier

While no plan is foolproof, the winning combination of a good VPN and a dependable spoofer is the best way of getting to experience vivid gameplay rich in rare Pokemon, PokeStops, and Gyms. Whether you’re traveling abroad or seeking to challenge yourself by collecting Pokemon in a different location, none of this will hinder your progress anymore. So, choose your VPN wisely and keep playing carefree, knowing that your information is safely tucked away thanks to thousands of hard-working and up-to-date servers. For Pokemon Go, ExpressVPN is the perfect fit.

Try it out, and let us know whether it’s helped you catch all the Pokemon.