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Pokemon GO to Drop Support for Older Devices in 2025
Upcoming updates to Pokemon GO will render the game unplayable on several older mobile devices, starting as early as March 2025. This change primarily affects 32-bit Android devices, leaving long-time players with outdated phones needing to upgrade to continue their gameplay.
Pokemon GO, the popular augmented reality game celebrating its ninth anniversary this summer, boasts a substantial player base. While peak player numbers have since subsided from its initial 232 million active players in 2016, December 2024 data still indicates over 110 million active players within the preceding month. However, this player count is set to decrease with the upcoming changes.
Niantic, the game developer, announced on January 9th that support will be discontinued for certain older devices following updates scheduled for March and June 2025. The first update impacts some Android devices downloaded from the Samsung Galaxy Store, while the second specifically targets 32-bit Android devices obtained via Google Play. While a complete list of affected devices hasn't been released, 64-bit Android devices and all iPhones are expected to remain compatible.
Affected Devices (Partial List):
- 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
- Various Android devices released before 2015
Players using affected devices are urged to safeguard their login credentials. While they can access their accounts after upgrading their phones, access will be unavailable until the upgrade is complete. This includes any purchased Pokecoins.
Despite the inconvenience for some players, 2025 promises exciting developments for the broader Pokemon franchise. Highly anticipated titles like Pokemon Legends: Z-A await release dates, and rumors circulate about potential remakes of Pokemon Black and White and a new Let's Go series entry. While Pokemon GO's 2025 plans remain unclear, a leaked February 27th date for a Pokemon Presents showcase may shed more light on the matter.
