PokéStop Scanning is an opt-in feature that lets qualified Pokémon GO Trainers record a stream of images of PokéStops or Gyms and provide related information to Niantic, including the time and location of the recording, how your phone moved while you were recording, and some general characteristics of your device. 

Information gathered during PokéStop Scanning allows Niantic to generate accurate, dynamic 3-D maps of real-world objects and their relative locations, and help devices understand the surroundings in AR real-time. This will allow Niantic to explore and deliver new types of AR experiences, which require an accurate and up-to-date 3-D map of the world.

To scan a PokéStop:

  1. Go to the PokéStop or Gym’s details page and tap the three dots in the upper right.

  2. Tap SCAN POKESTOP.

  3. Opt into the feature via the on-screen prompts if it’s your first time recording a scan.

  4. Tap the record button to start scanning. Keep the object within the frame, and slowly walk around the object if possible.

  5. Tap Upload Later or Upload Now to upload your PokéStop Scan.

Any PokéStop Scans you choose to send to Niantic are automatically anonymized once uploaded to our secure servers, which includes extra privacy measures like blurring potentially recognizable objects like faces or license plates. For more information about how Niantic uses your personal information, please read our privacy policy.

 Supported Devices

  • iOS: PokéStop Scanning is available on iPhone 6s and newer devices running iOS 11+.

  • Android: PokéStop Scanning is available on devices running Android 7.0+ and can support Google Play Services for AR. Supported devices must install Google Play Services for AR from the Google Play Store. A list of supported devices can be found here.

Eligibility

This feature is currently only available for Trainers playing with supported devices who’ve reached level 20. PokéStop Scanning is also unavailable for Trainers with child accounts. The PokéStop Scanning option won’t be selectable in your app if you are ineligible to use the feature.