Pokemon Go players beg devs to revert “annoying” AR changes

After an update in April 2024, Pokemon Go made some AR modifications. However, players are dissatisfied and are requesting to revert back to the previous methods.

Pokemon Go consistently introduces fresh features and Pokemon to engage trainers. However, not all additions are well-received by players, as some features are discontinued shortly after their initial release.

Currently, there has been a wave of complaints from players regarding a recent update that has not been well-received by the community. The April update for Pokemon Go altered the way players engage with their Buddy and wild Pokemon, causing difficulty in interaction due to the AR+ function.

Although players have the option to disable certain features for a more seamless experience, AR is now a requirement on the Go Snapshot screen. One Pokemon Go player expressed frustration, stating on Reddit, “I just want to use the camera without AR!”

The recent change has been met with complaints from numerous trainers, as it has affected certain aspects of the general gameplay that were not anticipated. As one trainer pointed out, using the AR+ option is now the only way to ensure that the surroundings are captured in pictures.

Players using a phone that does not support AR or has AR disabled in the game settings will only be able to see their buddy on a green screen. This has been met with criticism from one player who finds it “unenjoyable, unhelpful, and illogical.”

According to Reddit user ‘evrz5,’ this restriction also applies to placing your Pokemon in any location for a creative snapshot. Instead, the surface must be recognized as flat enough by the augmented reality (AR) feature. Additional comments mention that the mandatory use of AR for snapshots can be challenging at night or in confined areas.

While some trainers view this as a minor issue, the majority believe that Niantic should find a middle ground. According to a player on Reddit, the game used to offer three options for augmented reality (AR), including No AR, AR, or AR+. However, now players are only given the choice between No AR or AR+. Some players find it unsettling that the game requires them to constantly scan their surroundings in order to interact with their Buddy, and they argue that this should not be mandatory.

We will continue to provide updates on any potential reversals of the AR changes in Pokemon Go by Niantic. While we wait, you can also take advantage of the Sizeable Surprises event to learn how to obtain Wailmer and Tynamo in the game, as they are currently boosted.