Are you still playing Pokémon GO without an auto catcher? In 2026, auto catchers have completely changed the way players grind Pokémon, farm stardust, and hunt shiny Pokémon — and honestly, I can’t imagine playing without one anymore.
In this Pokémon GO short, I talk about how I barely ever throw Poké Balls manually anymore (except for Premier Balls in raids, of course). Auto catchers allow you to passively play Pokémon GO while doing other things like working, driving, or just going about your day. They automatically spin PokéStops and catch Pokémon in the background, making them one of the most overpowered tools for any serious Pokémon GO player.
There are also official auto catcher devices made by Nintendo, including the Poké Ball Plus and the newer Pokémon GO Plus+. These devices are designed specifically for Pokémon GO and allow players to catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops with minimal interaction, making them perfect for grinding XP, stardust, and shiny Pokémon efficiently.
I’ve personally caught hundreds of shiny Pokémon using an auto catcher — easily around 80% of my total shiny collection — without even actively playing the game. That’s why so many high-level trainers rely on auto catchers to maximise efficiency and progress faster in Pokémon GO.
If you’re into shiny hunting, Pokémon GO grinding, or just want to level up faster, using an auto catcher might be one of the best decisions you can make. But not everyone agrees — some players think it takes away from the real gameplay experience. So what do you think?
Do you use an auto catcher in Pokémon GO, or are you still playing manually?
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2 Comments
Where do you get one
I cry for all the lost pokemon 😭 I don't trust mine to do any more than spin