Why did my Pokemon Go avatar change? New Quality of Life update explained

The avatar update for Pokemon Go has arrived, causing confusion among players who are wondering why their avatars have changed so significantly.

The first of three significant updates coming to Pokemon Go as part of Rediscover is the avatar update. These updates aim to motivate players to rediscover the game by enhancing long-standing features such as UI reworks and an updated AR experience.

This unexpected update has taken many trainers by surprise, as it abruptly altered the appearance of avatars overnight. It is understandable that this has caused confusion and bewilderment among players who are now questioning the drastic changes to their avatars.

If the recent changes have left you feeling bewildered, allow us to explain why Niantic has altered the appearance of avatars and what other updates have been made to improve our overall experience.

Why Has Niantic Changed the Appearance of Avatars in Pokemon Go?

Niantic has globally released a recent update that completely revamps the appearance of avatars in Pokemon Go. The update was made available on April 18, 2024, with the goal of enhancing the ability to personalize avatars and achieve the desired look.

It is widely known that cosmetics play a significant role in community-based games, and Niantic is now seeking to capitalize on this by providing players with increased freedom to express themselves. While the old system, which has been in effect since 2016, already offered some level of customization, this update presents even more opportunities to personalize your appearance.

Despite being the first time the avatar changes were made available to all users, Niantic had previously released them to specific regions in March 2024. This initial testing was met with mostly negative responses from the community. A month later, the sentiment remains the same as trainers continue to express their frustrations.

What has the Avatar Update Changed in Pokemon Go?

The recent avatar update for Pokemon Go offers a diverse selection of new customization choices for players to experiment with. These include the ability to alter body shape, eye hue, complexion, and hairdo, along with some enhancements to current features.

The avatars’ overall appearance has been updated, resulting in a completely new look. These updates have given the avatars a more realistic design compared to their previous appearance.

In the official developer blog, Niantic has outlined the avatar update and provided a list of changes that players can now experience for themselves in Pokemon Go.

Unleash your creativity with an array of fresh avatar customization choices now available in Pokémon GO!
Customize your avatar by adjusting body weights, eye colors, and skin tones, as well as choosing from a variety of new facial expressions and hairstyles.
Hairstyles are sortable by length, offering short, medium, and long options to help you discover the perfect look for your hair.
The addition of a new section now gives you the ability to personalize your avatar’s physique by selecting options for weight, muscle, shoulder width, chest size, and hip size.
Additional color options have been made accessible for customizing your skin tone, hair, and eye color.
To access these updates, navigate to the Appearance section in the Style Shop. Be on the lookout for more updates in the future!

Similar to the avatar rework, there will be additional updates for Pokemon Go as part of the Rediscover event. The Rediscover Your World and Rediscover Kanto updates are scheduled to launch on April 22, with Rediscover Your Reality set to follow on May 7.