Pokemon GO to Drop Support for Older Devices in 2025
Upcoming updates to Pokemon GO will render the game unplayable on certain older mobile devices, specifically 32-bit Android phones. This change, scheduled for March and June 2025, will affect a significant number of players still using these older models. Players using affected devices are urged to back up their login credentials before the updates arrive to ensure continued gameplay after upgrading their phones.
Pokemon GO, a wildly popular augmented reality game, celebrates its ninth anniversary this summer. While its player base has fluctuated since its 2016 launch, it maintains a substantial following with over 110 million active players as of December 2024. However, Niantic's efforts to optimize the game for newer devices necessitate ending support for older 32-bit Android models.
The official announcement on January 9th detailed the upcoming changes. The first update in March will impact some Android devices downloaded from the Samsung Galaxy Store. A second update in June will specifically target 32-bit Android devices obtained via Google Play. While a complete list of affected devices wasn't provided, the announcement confirmed that 64-bit Android devices and all iPhones will remain compatible.
Affected Devices Include (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
Niantic advises players whose devices are affected to safeguard their login details. While account access will be restored after upgrading to a compatible device, players will temporarily lose access, including any purchased Pokecoins, until the upgrade is complete.
Despite this setback for some players, 2025 promises to be a significant year for the Pokemon franchise. Highly anticipated releases like Pokemon Legends: Z-A are on the horizon, alongside rumored projects such as Pokemon Black and White remakes and a potential new entry in the Let's Go series. The upcoming Pokemon Presents show on February 27th may offer further details on the future of Pokemon GO.
