Pokémon GO is an augmented-reality mobile video game that combines your surroundings with the magical world of Pokémon. It uses your GPS location to present you with new Pokémon to catch and challenges to overcome on your journey to becoming a great Pokémon trainer.
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Catch ‘em all with a Pokémon GO VPN
- Change your IP and virtual location
- Connect to 3200+ servers worldwide
- Protect all your devices with one account
- Get a 30-day money-back guarantee
What is Pokémon GO?
Why do you need a VPN for Pokémon GO?
GPS spoofing*
Surfshark offers a Global Positioning System (GPS) spoofing feature for Android devices, which makes your GPS location match the location of your VPN server. Doing the same is more difficult for iOS users, but it’s possible to use a third-party GPS spoofing app and match your GPS location to that of your VPN server.
Secure encryption
The security of a VPN is only as good as the encryption it uses to protect you. Surfshark uses industry-leading AES-256 encryption, so you know your online privacy and sensitive data are safe as long as you’re connected to a VPN server.
No activity tracking
Not only does Surfshark protect your data from prying eyes, but it also doesn’t keep any user activity logs. This means that your privacy is safe, and you can enjoy the wonders of the internet without fear of anyone snooping on your activity or trying to steal your data.
A vast network of servers
With Surfshark, you’ll always have plenty of VPN servers to choose from. More than 3200 servers spread across 100 countries ensure that you’ll be able to find an uncrowded server nearby and enjoy a secure connection while maintaining a fast connection speed.
No regional restrictions
Your school or workplace may choose to block Pokémon GO on their networks, while oppressive governments can limit the freedom of their citizens by outright banning the app. Thankfully, you can overcome restrictions simply by connecting to a VPN server.
Protection for all your devices
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can protect all your devices at the same time. If you feel like looking for Pokémon with 10 phones in your hand — you can do just that, all while every bit of your data is encrypted and protected from snooping.
* When using the GPS Spoofing feature, make sure you’re connected to a VPN server in your home country so that it’s not seen as an attempt to cheat. We don’t support any other use of the GPS Spoofing feature with Pokémon GO, as it is against the Niantic Terms of Service.
Is it legal to use a VPN with Pokémon GO for location spoofing?
Using a VPN to protect your privacy and sensitive information is perfectly legal. The Terms of Service (ToS) of Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, don’t state anything to signify that they’re against the use of VPNs.
That said, any attempts to alter or falsify the location of your device are described as cheating in the ToS and can result in a suspension or ban of your account. GPS spoofing is listed as one of the main techniques used to falsify a location. The dynamics of the game are built around GPS locations, not your IP, so using a VPN for security should not interfere with the gameplay.
Disclaimer: We prohibit using Surfshark services for any unlawful purposes as it is against our Terms of Service. Please be sure to act in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of service providers.
How to set up a VPN for Pokémon GO
Connect to a VPN server
Connect to one of Surfshark’s 3200+ servers and enjoy complete online privacy.
When playing Pokémon GO, it may make sense to connect to a local VPN server rather than one in a distant location. This will optimize your connection speed, and the app won’t have a reason to think that you’re trying to alter the location of your device, which is against its ToS.
FAQ
Can I use a free VPN for Pokémon GO?
Using a free VPN is never a good idea, no matter what you plan to use it for. While premium VPN providers such as Surfshark protect your online privacy, free VPN providers put it at risk. In 2022 alone, 25 million user records were exposed by free VPNs. If you don’t want your data and sensitive information to be at risk, choose a premium VPN instead of a free one.
Can I get banned on Pokémon GO for using a VPN?
The Niantic ToS states that any use of GPS spoofing apps is considered to be cheating. However, the Pokémon GO app uses GPS to detect your location, not your IP address, so using a VPN should not be considered an attempt to cheat the game. But just to be safe, you can connect to a local VPN server rather than one in a foreign country.
Do you need GPS to play Pokémon GO?
GPS is an essential part of Pokémon GO, and the game wouldn’t function without it. Thankfully, all modern smartphones have built-in GPS functionality. You don’t have to worry about having a GPS unless you’re using a flip phone from the mid-2000s.
Besides Pokémon GO, which games can benefit from VPN use?
You should use a VPN when playing any online game. A VPN encrypts your traffic to protect your data against snoopers or other bad actors trying to snoop on your activity. Whether you’re playing Valorant, COD: Warzone, Fortnite, or Runescape — using a VPN is always a good idea.
Privacy and security for all your devices
Even though Pokémon GO is designed only for smartphones, you should make use of Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections to keep all your devices safe. From Windows and macOS to FireTV, Surfshark is compatible with most devices.
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