In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of Pokemon Go not working on your Android device. When it comes to augmented reality games, then there is no denying the fact that the offering from Niantic is the best in this domain. While it might no longer be at its peak that it once used to be, still it has grabbed the attention of the masses, thanks to the slew of intriguing quests that it gets blessed with at regular intervals.
However, at the same time, it does get bugged with quite a few issues as well. While sometimes it is confined to one section of the game, in other cases, these issues tend to ruin the entire gameplay and make it unplayable. If you also come across any of these issues, then this guide is all that you would need. In this tutorial, we will make you aware of a plethora of methods to fix the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device. So without further ado, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How to Fix Pokemon Go Not Working
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Restart Device
Ah yes, you might have seen this coming from ils back but we couldn’t stop ourselves from mentioning the obvious statement that you should start off by restarting your device. In most cases, a simple reboot is all that is needed to rectify the bug. So do give it a try and check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 2: Force Stop App
Next up, you should force stop and then manually restart the app. Doing so will refresh all its underlying processes and it will give it a fresh instance to work on. And this in turn might resolve the underlying issue as well. So refer to the below steps to try it out:
- To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to Apps > See All Apps and select Pokemon Go from the list.
- Now tap on Force Stop followed by OK in the confirmation dialog box.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 3: Delete App Cache
You should also consider deleting the app’s temporary data as well. If a lot of these cache files get accumulated over the due course of time, then it might conflict with the app’s proper functioning and could also slow down its usability. Therefore, let’s put these files in the bin right away and then check out the results.
- To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to Apps > See All Apps and select Pokemon Go from the list.
- After that, go to the Storage section and tap on Clear Cache.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 4: Update App to the Latest Version
Using an old or outdated version could spell out trouble for the entire workability of the app. Moreover, the developers regularly release updates that rectify underlying bugs, bring in performance stability, and enhance its security. Therefore, it is recommended to be on the latest build of the app.
- Head over to the Play Store and search Pokemon Go.
- If an update is available, then download and install it right away.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 5: Remove Battery Restrictions
If you have put any battery restrictive measures in place, then the games and apps might have a tough time working in this restrictive environment. Therefore, you should consider removing all these roadblocks and then check out the results. Here’s how it could be done:
- First off, head over to the Settings > Battery section.
- Then go to Battery Saver and disable it, if it is enabled.
- After that, go to Apps > All Apps and select Pokemon Go.
- Then go to its Battery section and enable the toggle next to Allow Background Usage.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 6: Reset App Preferences
In some cases, creating and implementing rules for an app might have an adverse impact on other apps installed on your device. So you should consider reverting all the app preferences to their default state. Doing so will reset the rules related to disabled and default apps as well as all the restrictions put in place (it will not wipe any app data) and will give you the stock settings to work upon. So let’s put this fix to the test and check out the results.
- Head over to the Settings > System menu on your device.
- Then go to Reset Options and tap on Reset App Preferences.
- After that, tap on the Reset Apps button in the confirmation dialog box.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 7: Unpause App Activity
By default, the OS will restrict certain functions of an OS, such as removing permissions, and deleting temporary files and alerts, if it hasn’t been used for quite some time. However, this might also have an adverse impact on the overall functioning of the app. Therefore, it is recommended to turn off this feature and then check out the result:
- Head over to Settings > Apps > All Apps > Pokemon Go.
- Then disable the toggle next to Pause App Activity if unused.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 8: Delete App Data
If the app’s data gets corrupted, then its negative consequences will be felt across the app as a whole. In such cases, you have no choice but to delete that app’s data and then let it repopulate the same from scratch. Here’s how it could be done:
- Head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to Apps > See All Apps and select Pokemon Go.
- After that, go to the Storage section and tap on Clear Data.
- Then tap OK in the confirmation dialog box that appears. Now launch the app and set it up.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 9: Reinstall App
If the app’s configuration and settings file get corrupted, then simply deleting the app’s data and cache might not be enough. In such cases, you will have to completely remove the app from your device and reinstall its fresh build. Here’s how it could be done:
- To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to Apps > See All Apps and select Pokemon Go from the list.
- After that, tap on Uninstall followed by OK in the confirmation dialog box.
- Now go to the app’s official listing page on Play Store and download its latest version.
- Then install the app, launch it, and set it up.
- Check if it fixes the Pokemon Go not working issue on your Android device.
FIX 10: Downgrade App to Earlier Version
In some instances, the developer might roll out a buggy update, which could end up breaking the app’s entire functionality. Though they are usually quick to release a subsequent patch, but that rollout could still take around 3-4 days to arrive. And this is quite a long time frame.
So it’s better to downgrade the app to the earlier table version and remain on that build until the issue has been resolved. Likewise, you should also disable the auto-update feature of that app. Otherwise, Play Store will update the app back to the latest build which would end up nullifying the fix. So refer to the below instructions and implement this fix right away.
- To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
- Then go to Apps > See All Apps and select Pokemon Go from the list.
- Now scroll to the end and tap on App Details. You will now be taken to that app’s Play Store page.
- So tap on the overflow icon situated at the top right and uncheck Enable Auto-updates.
- Once that is done, go back to Apps > See All Apps and select Pokemon Go from the list.
- Now scroll to the end and note out its version number somewhere.
- After that, tap on Uninstall followed by OK in the confirmation dialog box.
- Once done, head over to a trusted third-party site and download an older version of that app (re-verify it from step 3 above).
- Now just install that APK file (enable Installation from Unknown Sources, if asked). That’s it.
FIX 11: Reset Device
If none of the aforementioned methods worked out in your favor, then you have no choice but to opt for the nuclear route of factory resetting your device. Doing so will erase all the data from your device and reset the settings to their factory default state. So take a complete device backup beforehand and then proceed with the below steps to reset your device:
- To begin with, head over to Settings > System > Reset Options.
- After that, go to the Erase All Data (factory reset) section.
- Finally, tap on the Erase All Data button and wait for the process to complete.
- Once done, set up your device from scratch. The underlying issue should be fixed.
That’s it. These were the various methods to fix the issue of Pokemon Go not working on your Android device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest [Featured Image Credits: Pokemon Go Live].
