- What the official pages say Pokemon GO needs
- Why there's no Pokemon GO offline mode
- The wifi-only tablet problem
- Playing Pokemon GO on patchy signal
- Pokemon GO on holiday abroad
- Who makes Pokemon GO now?
- Pokemon GO and children's safety
- Offline games for Pokemon fans
- My take on Pokemon GO offline
- Frequently asked questions
No. Pokemon GO needs both the internet and GPS. The official Pokemon GO Help Center lists a strong internet connection (Wi-Fi or 5G) plus GPS and Location Services as requirements, because every Pokemon, PokeStop and Gym you see is placed on a live map around you.
Pokemon GO is built on the real world. You walk, the map moves, and Pokemon appear around you. That only works if the game knows where you are and can ask its servers what's nearby, so there's no version of it that runs in airplane mode. The more interesting questions are about which devices and connections work, and that's where the official pages have some surprises.
What the official pages say Pokemon GO needs
| Requirement | iPhone | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 15 or above | Android 9 or above (Help Center) |
| Internet | Strong connection, Wi-Fi or 5G | Strong connection, Wi-Fi or 5G |
| Location | GPS and Location Services | GPS and Location Services |
| Memory | 2GB or more of RAM | 2GB or more of RAM |
| Download size | About 407.5 MB (App Store) | Not shown on the listing |
One small catch for Android owners: the Google Play listing still carries an old compatibility note that mentions Android 6.0-10.0+. The Help Center's current list says Android 9 or above. If you're checking an older phone, go by the Help Center.
Why there's no Pokemon GO offline mode
- The map is live. PokeStops, Gyms and Pokemon appear based on where you are, which the game checks with its servers.
- GPS has to report your position. The Help Center lists GPS and Location Services as a requirement.
- Raids and battles are shared. Teaming up with other Trainers, which the listing promotes, needs everyone connected.
- Your account is online. Catches, items and progress are stored with your account.
The wifi-only tablet problem
This is the one that catches families out. Google Play says Pokemon GO is optimised for smartphones, not tablets, and that compatibility isn't promised for devices without GPS or devices connected only to wifi. The Help Center adds that many tablets without built-in mobile data don't have a GPS sensor at all. So a child's wifi-only tablet may install Pokemon GO and still not work reliably, even at home on good wifi.
If a wifi-only tablet is the family device for journeys, choose games that are designed to run without a connection. My list of offline games for kids on a tablet is a good starting point.
Playing Pokemon GO on patchy signal
Pokemon GO is often played on the move, which is exactly when signals wobble. The Help Center's connection troubleshooting says to confirm a reliable data connection, notes that mobile data has to be switched on, and warns that connections can be unstable in a moving vehicle. A few habits help:
- Keep mobile data switched on when you head out to play.
- If wifi and mobile data are both available and one misbehaves, switch to the other.
- Expect slower loading in crowded places, where mobile networks are busy.
- Turn on the most accurate location setting your phone offers.
- Restart the app if the map stops updating, rather than walking further hoping it'll catch up.
Pokemon GO on holiday abroad
Travel is when people discover how much Pokemon GO depends on a connection. Abroad, you'll need mobile data or a local SIM to play away from the hotel wifi, and the game uses data steadily because the map keeps updating as you walk. Before you go, check what your phone plan allows for roaming, and decide whether Pokemon GO is a hotel-wifi treat or an out-and-about game. Hotel wifi alone won't help much, because the moment you step outside, the map needs mobile data and GPS together.
Who makes Pokemon GO now?
If you've noticed a different name on the store, you're not imagining it. Both Google Play and the App Store now list Scopely Explore, Inc. as the developer of Pokemon GO. The game itself is the same, and the listing still shows more than 500M downloads on Google Play, with in-app purchases and an Everyone rating. The App Store rates it 9+.
Pokemon GO and children's safety
Because the game sends players walking around real places, the usual advice applies: younger children should play with an adult, stay aware of roads, and avoid playing in unfamiliar areas after dark. It's also a game with in-app purchases, and Google Play shows that label clearly, so set up approval for in-app purchases on a child's phone account.
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Offline games for Pokemon fans
When you're somewhere with no signal, Pokemon GO simply won't load. Plan for that with a game or two that runs fully offline. If exploring is the part your family loves, try offline open-world games, and for anything else, here's my guide to games that don't need wifi.
My take on Pokemon GO offline
Pokemon GO can't be played offline, and the official requirements explain why: it needs a strong internet connection and GPS at the same time. The useful takeaway is the device rule. A smartphone with mobile data works best, while a wifi-only tablet may not work even with a connection. Check that before you promise anyone a Pokemon hunt on holiday, and pack a couple of fully offline games for the stretches with no signal.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play Pokemon GO without internet?
No. The Pokemon GO Help Center lists a strong internet connection and GPS as requirements.
Does Pokemon GO work on wifi only?
Google Play says compatibility isn't promised for devices connected only to wifi, and many wifi-only tablets have no GPS sensor.
What Android version does Pokemon GO need?
The Help Center says Android 9 or above with 2GB or more of RAM, plus GPS and Location Services.
Why does Pokemon GO keep losing connection?
Weak or busy networks and moving vehicles are common causes. Keep mobile data on and switch networks if one misbehaves.
Who develops Pokemon GO?
Google Play and the App Store list Scopely Explore, Inc. as the developer.
