Pokemon GO: Softban simply explained
At Pokemon GO, millions of people want to be "the very best", but sometimes a softban is risked for cheating. In this practical tip, we explain what that actually is.
Pokemon GO: what is a softban?
- Cheats and hacks are generally not possible in Pokemon GO, because everyone should have the same chance. Outside of the app, however, the game can be manipulated quite easily.
- With numerous free apps, you can manipulate your GPS signal and transport yourself to anywhere in the world in Pokemon GO. It is quite easy on Android smartphones, but it is not easily possible on iOS.
- Were you just in Hamburg and 5 minutes later are you in Munich, but Pokemon GO also notices the fraud. For this, many players harvest a softban, a still harmless lock for a few minutes.
Pokemon GO: how long does the softban last?
- On the one hand, the developers want to make the game as fair as possible, on the other hand, you don't want to annoy users. The softban is rightly named because the ban is not really tough.
- The duration of the spell is very different and is not necessarily related to the cheated distance. Sometimes a softban only lasts 5 minutes, the maximum measured duration is 30 minutes so far.
- During this time, you cannot catch any Pokémon that appear, enter arenas, or pillage Pokestops. You do not have to fear harsher consequences.
- Cheaters have been punished much more severely since mid-August. Usually, a softban is still imposed on the first scam. If you are caught again, the lock can also apply for life. In the worst case, cheating can cost you your Pokemon GO account.
Pokemon GO: How to bypass a softban
- Incidentally, Pokemon GO can only measure whether you are manipulating your GPS signal over the unrealistically covered distance. Manipulation up to a distance of one kilometer usually remains undetected.
- Driving in the car is also not considered fraud. However, the app notices that you are driving in the car and stops the eggs from hatching for this time. At traffic lights, you can still loot Pokestops and collect any Pokemon that appear, of course, only as a passenger.
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