Pokémon GO Soft Ban Guide 2025: How to Avoid & Remove It

If you've ever spoofed in Pokémon GO, you've probably seen this: every Pokémon flees after one throw, PokéStops don't spin, and Gyms give you nothing. Yep—that's a classic Pokémon GO soft ban.

This guide takes a closer look at the soft ban, including how long it lasts, how to avoid triggering it, and most importantly, how to lift it if you do.

A soft ban in Pokémon GO is usually triggered by interaction with the game after a large, instantaneous location change, like catching Pokémon, spinning PokéStops, and battling in gyms.

It's usually the first strike you receive, a temporary lock on key features until the issue is resolved. Here's how the soft ban manifests:

• Pokémon flee after one throw
• You get a Try Again Later error when spinning PokéStops
• No rewards from gym battles or raids
• GPS errors like Failed to Detect Location 12 may appear

1 How Long Does A Soft Ban Last in Pokémon GO?

A spoofing-induced soft ban in Pokémon GO usually lasts anywhere from 1 minute to 2 hours, depending on how far you've teleported. Check out this Pokémon GO cooldown chart below and see how long you need to wait.

2 Common Types of Pokémon GO Bans

Here are the most common ban types players might encounter besides the typical soft ban:

Pokémon GO Shadow Ban

A Shadow Ban usually occurs when your account is linked to a third-party app or tool that violates the game's Terms of Service—such as scanners, bots, or Pokémon GO mods.

While Niantic has never publicly confirmed its mechanics, longtime players have pieced together the truth. Main signs include:

• Rare and Legendary Pokémon stop spawning entirely.
• Event-exclusive Pokémon will not appear.
• You'll only encounter common wild Pokémon, making it harder to find anything worthwhile.

Pokémon GO No Pokémon Spawning Ban

This ban takes the punishment a step further, which usually results from repeated ToS violations like excessive spoofing or botting, especially after prior warnings.

Everything in the game loads normally, but not a single wild Pokémon spawns. Here are the key features of this ban:

• The map appears fully functional.
• No wild Pokémon show up, regardless of location, lures, or incense.
• PokeStops and gyms still work, so you can battle and spin.
• The ban can last 30 days or longer, depending on the severity of the infraction.

Now we know that spoofing, moving at unrealistic speeds, and overplaying are common triggers—but sometimes, even unintentional actions can fall under rule violations.

Let's take a closer look at the behaviors that can result in a Pokémon GO soft ban:

• Catching a Pokémon after changing locations

One of the most common and overlooked triggers is clicking on a Pokémon at one location without catching it, then driving or flying a long distance and catching it at the new location.

• Suspicious GPS drift or desync

Flying, driving long distances rapidly, or unstable GPS signals (e.g., after a flight or tunnel) can also trigger bans.

• Frequent GPS jumping

Constantly switching between faraway locations within short timeframes—even without spoofing tools—can be seen as suspicious.

• Using third-party apps or bots

Tools that automate gameplay (auto catchers not approved by Niantic, bots for farming, etc.) can quietly flag your account.

• Account sharing

Logging in from different IP addresses or devices in separate regions (e.g., you log in from the US and a friend logs in from Japan minutes later) can confuse the game's system.

• Multiple logins in a short period

Logging in and out of your account rapidly on different devices may seem like bot-like behavior.

Prevention is always better than cure, especially in Pokémon GO. Here are the golden rules to stay under the radar without losing the fun:

• Respect cooldown time
• Stick to realistic movement
• Use trusted tools with anti-ban features
• Avoid botting or modded APKs

Watch Video Tutorial on how to avoid soft ban in Pokémon GO

Try It Free

One tool that many seasoned spoofers swear by is AnyTo. It's not just another location spoofer—it's designed with Pokémon GO players in mind. With features built to mimic natural movement and avoid detection, it strikes a perfect balance between convenience and caution.

What AnyTo offers:

• A built-in cooldown timer, so you never act too early after a teleport.
• Customizable walking, cycling, or driving routes to simulate natural movement.
• One-click teleportation to any location worldwide.
• Pokémon GO Joystick mode for real-time GPS control during gameplay.
• Safe route planning for catching, hatching, or farming raids without triggering suspicion.

Step 1. Install AnyTo on your phone and follow the instructions to setup.

Step 2. Paste the coordinate or type in a location, choose a mode, and your location is changed immediately.

Step 3. Use the PoGo Search feature in the upper-right toolbar to find PokéStops or specific Pokémon nearby.

You can also control your in-game body from a PC via Bluetooth connection, which is considered the safest way to spoof Pokémon GO in 2025. For a more detailed handbook, see Users Guide of AnyTo PC Version. Here's a brief guide:

1-Click Change GPS Location with AnyTo!

1

Choose your platform and install (iOS, Android, PC).

2

Select a location mocking mode.

3

Spoof anywhere you like!

Try It Free Buy Now

There's no instant Pokémon GO soft ban fix.

The only real solution is patience. But here's what you can do to prevent things from getting worse and help your account recover smoothly:

• Avoid third-party spoofing tools during this period—even safe ones—until your account is cleared.
• Stop jumping locations. Excessive teleporting during the ban can raise more red flags and lead to harsher penalties.
• Play normally. Stick to local, legit gameplay like spinning nearby PokéStops or catching common Pokémon if available.
• Monitor your account. If rare Pokémon and event spawns return after a week, your ban is likely lifted.

Ban waves are usually triggered by updates to Niantic's anti-cheat systems or major events that bring abnormal activity spikes.

Here's a simplified timeline of major ban waves and their outcomes:

1 July, 2025 – Massive Soft Ban Wave Hits Spoofers

• What happened

Starting around July 20, 2025, a massive wave of bans struck Pokémon GO players worldwide, mostly those using PGSharp and PGTools.

• Reason

Community reports point to Niantic tightening anti‑cheat measures after a recent game update, especially targeting users of PGSharp and PGTools.

• Consequence

Thousands reported warnings from 7‑day strikes to sudden 30‑day suspensions and permanant bans.

• Result

As of now, the Pokémon GO team has not issued an official statement or reversal.

2 Oct 27, 2024 – False Ban Chaos During Gigantamax Event

• What happened

A massive ban wave in October 2024 hit thousands of Trainers worldwide—mostly Android users—right after the Gigantamax Max Battles event launched.

• Reason

Players were falsely flagged for spoofing or location manipulation while traveling in cars or on subways with the game open.

• Consequence

Many users received 30-day suspensions, even without breaking the rules.

• Result

Niantic acknowledged the mistake via their official support channel and reversed the bans for most affected players.

3 June 23, 2022 – Niantic Introduces Enhanced Ban Detection

• What happened

Niantic publicly shared an update about ongoing improvements to their cheat detection systems.

• Reason

To tackle increasing cheating activities across their entire game lineup.

• Result

A more robust, long-term anti-cheat solution was launched to better detect spoofing, bots, and unfair gameplay.

4 February 23, 2021 – Over 5 Million Players Punished

• What happened

Niantic revealed they had taken action against over 5 million accounts since early 2020.

• Reason

This covered not only Pokémon GO, but also Ingress and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

• Result

More than 1 million permanent bans were issued (over 20% of total punishments).

1. How to tell if soft banned in Pokémon GO?

The most obvious signs of a soft ban are:

• Pokémon flee after just one throw (even if it's a hit).
• You get a "Try Again Later" error when spinning PokéStops.
• You can't collect rewards from gyms or raids.
• You might see a GPS error like “Failed to detect location 12” even if your GPS is working fine.

2. Is soft ban permanent?

No, a soft ban is temporary.

It typically lasts between 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the violation (like teleporting too far without respecting cooldown time).

If it's tied to a strike (like the 7-day shadow ban), then it will last longer—but it's still not permanent unless you continue to break the rules.

3. How do you escape a soft ban in Pokémon GO?

If you triggered a soft ban through teleportation or spoofing:

• Stay put in your current location.
• Wait out the cooldown time based on the distance you traveled.
• Avoid taking any in-game actions until the cooldown expires.
• Using trusted tools with built-in cooldown timers (like AnyTo) can help you avoid future bans.

4. What is the difference between a soft ban and a ban in Pokémon GO?

A soft ban is temporary and usually caused by location-related actions, like teleporting too far without waiting. It affects catching and spinning.

A ban (shadow ban, 30-day suspension, or permanent ban) is more severe and results from repeated cheating, botting, or use of unauthorized tools. Bans can restrict your access to Pokémon, trading, or even lock you out of your account completely.

Getting a Pokémon GO soft ban can be frustrating—especially when all you want is to catch, battle, and trade without limits.

Fortunately, most soft bans are temporary and can be avoided altogether if you play smart. Respect cooldown time, steer clear of shady apps, and stick with trusted tools like AnyTo to spoof safely. Whether you're a casual explorer or a hardcore hunter, understanding how Pokémon GO soft bans work will help you stay in the game and out of trouble.

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Article by Ryan Miles

Ryan Miles is a seasoned gamer and mobile strategy writer with over 5 years of hands-on experience in Pokémon GO spoofing and GPS-based games. Known for breaking down complex location tricks into beginner-friendly guides, Ryan’s mission is simple: help you explore more, catch faster, and play smarter without ever leaving home.