As an avid Pokemon Go player with over 20 years of experience in mobile gaming, I’ve encountered my fair share of soft bans and restrictions. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about Pokemon Go soft bans – what causes them, how to fix them, and most importantly, how to avoid them in the future.
What is a Pokemon Go Soft Ban?
A soft ban in Pokemon Go is a temporary restriction imposed by Niantic, the game’s developer, to discourage cheating and maintain fair gameplay. Unlike permanent bans, soft bans are usually short-lived, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a maximum of 12 hours in most cases.
During a soft ban, players experience various limitations:
- Pokemon flee immediately when you try to catch them
- PokéStops don’t give out items when spun
- Gym battles are inaccessible
- Eggs don’t track distance for hatching
The purpose is to temporarily hinder gameplay for those suspected of violating the game’s terms of service, serving as a warning before more severe penalties are imposed.
Common Causes of Soft Bans in Pokemon Go
Understanding what triggers soft bans is crucial for avoiding them. Here are the most common reasons players find themselves restricted:
- GPS Spoofing: Using third-party apps to fake your location is a major violation and the quickest way to get soft banned. While some players attempt Pokemon Go spoofing, it’s important to note that this practice is against the game’s terms of service.
- Traveling Too Quickly: If the game detects you moving at unrealistic speeds between locations, it may flag your account for suspicious activity.
- Account Sharing: Logging into your account from multiple devices in different locations can trigger a soft ban.
- Using Bots or Automated Tools: Any software that automates gameplay, like auto-catchers or scripts, is strictly against the rules. This includes using emulators like Nox for Pokemon Go, which can lead to account penalties.
- Violating Cooldown Periods: Performing actions too quickly after teleporting long distances is a common trigger for soft bans. This is often associated with Pokemon Go sniping, a risky practice that can result in soft bans.
How to Tell If You’ve Been Soft Banned
Recognizing the signs of a soft ban can help you take action quickly. Look out for these telltale symptoms:
- All Pokemon flee immediately after your first throw, regardless of their CP or the type of ball used
- PokéStops don’t drop items when spun, often giving a “Try again later” message
- You can’t place Pokemon in gyms or participate in raid battles
- Buddy Pokemon don’t gain walking distance
If you notice these issues persisting for more than a few minutes, it’s likely you’re experiencing a soft ban.
Methods to Fix a Pokemon Go Soft Ban
Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to lift a soft ban:
Wait Out the Cooldown Period
The simplest (and most foolproof) method is to simply wait. Most soft bans lift automatically after a few hours. Use this time to reflect on what might have triggered the ban and how to avoid it in the future.
Spin PokéStops Repeatedly
Many players report success with this method:
- Find a nearby PokéStop
- Spin it 40-50 times in a row
- Log out and back into your account
While not officially confirmed by Niantic, this technique seems to “reset” the soft ban for many users.
Uninstall and Reinstall the App
A fresh install can sometimes clear up soft ban issues:
- Uninstall Pokemon Go from your device
- Restart your phone
- Reinstall the app from the official app store
- Log back into your account
Clear Cache and Data (Android)
For Android users, clearing the app’s cache and data might help:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Pokemon Go
- Tap on “Storage“
- Select “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data“
- Restart the app and log back in
Contact Pokémon Go Support
If all else fails, reaching out to official support can help:
- Visit the Pokemon Go Help Center
- Submit a request explaining your situation
- Be honest about any actions that might have led to the ban
Remember, support staff are more likely to help if you’re transparent about what happened.
Best Practices to Avoid Future Soft Bans
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to keep your account in good standing:
- Follow Cooldown Rules: Respect the waiting periods between actions, especially when changing locations.
- Avoid GPS Spoofing: Play the game as intended, without faking your location.
- Play at Realistic Speeds: Don’t log actions in the game while traveling in fast-moving vehicles.
- Don’t Share Accounts: Keep your login information private and don’t access your account from multiple devices.
- Use Only Approved Third-Party Apps: Stick to apps and accessories officially sanctioned by Niantic.
Understanding Cooldown Times in Pokemon Go
Cooldown periods are crucial for avoiding soft bans, especially if you’re using any kind of location changing method. Here’s a general guideline for cooldown times based on distance traveled:
- 1-10 km: 6 minutes
- 10-50 km: 25 minutes
- 50-100 km: 40 minutes
- 100-250 km: 60 minutes
- 250-500 km: 90 minutes
- 500-750 km: 120 minutes
- 750+ km: 150 minutes
Always wait out these cooldown periods before performing any in-game actions after changing your location significantly.
Safely Using Location Spoofers in Pokemon Go
While I don’t condone or encourage GPS spoofing, I understand some players use these tools for various reasons. If you choose to spoof your location, do so at your own risk and follow these guidelines to minimize the chance of soft bans:
- Use reputable spoofing tools with built-in safety features like cooldown timers.
- Never exceed realistic travel speeds when changing locations.
- Respect cooldown periods religiously.
- Avoid teleporting to high-profile locations like popular gyms or rare Pokemon spawns.
- Use a VPN to mask your real IP address.
Remember, any form of GPS spoofing violates Pokemon Go’s terms of service and can lead to permanent bans if detected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pokemon Go Soft Bans
Q: How long do soft bans typically last? A: Most soft bans last between 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the severity of the violation.
Q: Can soft bans become permanent? A: While soft bans are temporary, repeated violations can lead to longer bans or even permanent account termination.
Q: Do soft bans affect your entire account? A: Yes, soft bans apply to all activities on your account, not just specific features.
Q: What’s the difference between a soft ban and a shadow ban? A: Soft bans restrict gameplay temporarily, while shadow bans limit your ability to see rare Pokemon spawns and can last for weeks.
Q: Can Adventure Sync issues lead to soft bans? A: While Adventure Sync not working doesn’t directly cause soft bans, it can sometimes be mistaken for one if your distance isn’t tracking properly.
Q: How do Rare Candies factor into soft bans? A: Rare Candies in Pokemon Go don’t directly relate to soft bans, but using them excessively or in suspicious patterns could potentially trigger an investigation of your account.
Conclusion
Soft bans in Pokemon Go are a nuisance, but they’re also an important tool for maintaining fair play in the game. By understanding what triggers these restrictions and following best practices, you can enjoy Pokemon Go without interruption.
Remember, the spirit of Pokemon Go is about exploration, exercise, and community. Play fairly, respect the rules, and you’ll have a much more enjoyable (and ban-free) experience catching ’em all!
