"Pokemon GO to End Support for Select Devices"

Summary

• Pokemon GO will soon be unplayable on some older mobile devices due to updates ending support for 32-bit Android devices.
• Players using affected devices should save their login info and consider upgrading their phones to continue playing after updates in March and June 2025.
• Despite this, 2025 promises excitement for the Pokemon franchise with confirmed and rumored game releases.

Pokemon GO enthusiasts, take note: the beloved augmented reality game will soon become inaccessible on certain older mobile devices. Starting in March 2025, some phones will lose access to the game, with a broader impact following in June 2025. This change will affect only 32-bit Android devices, meaning fans with older models may need to upgrade their phones to keep enjoying the game.

Since its launch in July 2016, Pokemon GO has captivated players worldwide, celebrating its ninth anniversary this summer. The game, which encourages players to explore the real world to catch and battle Pokemon, saw a peak of around 232 million active players in its first year. Despite a decline, it remains popular, with over 110 million players reported active in the 30 days leading up to December 2024.

Niantic, the game's developer, is focusing on improving performance on newer devices, which necessitates the end of support for 32-bit Androids. An announcement made on January 9, 2025, detailed that updates in March and June will affect devices that downloaded the game from the Samsung Galaxy store and Google Play, respectively. A list of affected devices includes:

• Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Note 3, J3
• Sony Xperia Z2, Z3
• Motorola Moto G (1st generation)
• LG Fortune, Tribute
• OnePlus One
• HTC One (M8)
• ZTE Overture 3
• Certain Android devices released before 2015

Players with affected devices are advised to save their login information securely. Although they won't be able to access their accounts until they upgrade to a compatible device, their accounts, including any purchased Pokecoins, will remain intact.

While this news may disappoint some players, the Pokemon franchise has a promising year ahead. Pokemon Legends: Z-A awaits a confirmed release date, and rumors swirl about potential remakes of Pokemon Black and White and a new entry in the Let's Go series. Additionally, a rumored Pokemon Presents event on February 27 might shed light on what's in store for Pokemon GO in 2025.