Pokemon Go took the world by storm with its innovative augmented-reality gameplay when it launched in 2016. However, such immense popularity inevitably led to some players seeking ways to gain unfair advantages through cheating. In this extended article, we'll thoroughly explore some of the most common Pokemon Go cheats and adequately consider the risks involved with each one.

Here Are 6 Ways To Cheat in Pokemon Go

GPS Location Spoofing

One of the most prevalent cheats Pokemon Go players utilize is GPS location spoofing. Because Pokemon Go depends so mainly on your real-world geographic position, being able to deceive the game into believing you're someplace else delivers potentially significant gaming benefits. Here's a more in-depth look:

1. Features: You may fake your GPS data and coordinates using location spoofing applications and services like MockGo, which lets you teleport your in-game character to any location globally. This grants you access to catch region-exclusive Pokemon only available in certain countries, access Pokestops and gyms an ocean away, and even hatch eggs at warp speed by mimicking global movement.
2. Steps: The process involves first downloading a location spoofing app or service (making sure to avoid malware and access reputable spoofs only). After installing it on your mobile device, you can open the spoofer and search for your desired fake location on the map. Set the pinned location and then simply open Pokemon Go afterward. With the active spoof feeding false GPS data, Pokemon Go will now think you are actually at that location in the real world based on the fake coordinates.
3. Popular Apps: Some of the more popular and commonly used location spoofing apps seen in the Pokemon Go cheating community include Fake GPS Free, MockGo, PokeGo++, and LocationFaker. Each offers ways to set custom locations dynamically and has specific pros and cons.
4. Risks: While incredibly powerful and tempting, location spoofing is explicitly prohibited according to Niantic's terms of service for Pokemon Go. It provides fundamentally unfair gameplay advantages by allowing players to essentially "teleport" anywhere in the world at will rather than physically visiting real locations as intended. As a result, Niantic's team of developers has implemented advanced anti-cheat systems that actively scan for suspicious location and movement patterns that indicate falsified GPS data. If the cheat systems detect what they deem to be clear location spoofing, they will permanently ban your account without hesitation. And once an account is terminated, there are no appeals.

Account Sharing

Another common cheat tactic some Pokemon Go players employ is sharing accounts with friends or family members to collaborate on catching Pokemon and progressing together. This can take the form of giving login credentials to others, but more sneakily may involve taking turns playing on the same account and logging in from different devices. Some players even buy pre-leveled Pokemon Go accounts online from sellers to skip straight past the grind on a ready-made account. However, according to Niantic's rules, each Pokemon Go account is strictly intended to be used by one person. Account sharing in any form enables players to jointly catch Pokemon and gain other gameplay advantages in direct violation of the one-account-per-player terms.

And while it may seem harmless on the surface, Niantic's teams very likely have advanced analytics monitoring for account sharing behavior patterns. Repeatedly logging in from different geographic locations within short periods, improbable travel time between logins, and sudden significant gameplay changes are red flags. If their systems determine with a high probability an account is being shared or sold illegally, repercussions will follow for the account in question.

AR Mode Shiny Checking

One slightly more subtle technique Pokemon Go players leverage to gain an advantage is turning off the AR mode when encountering wild Pokemon to rapidly check if they are rare alternate color "shiny" variants without catching each mon individually. Here's an explanation:

1. The Pokemon model is usually superimposed in real-world space in Pokemon Go's AR mode, so you must physically move your phone around to see the Pokemon from all directions. But with AR disabled, the Pokemon appears centered on the screen.
2. This allows players to quickly tap on encountered Pokemon and run after the first animation to see if it's shiny. If not, they flee and check the next. This saves significant time hunting vs. catching every single Mon.

While not overtly cheating per se, some players consider this technique unsportsmanlike and slightly against the spirit and intent of the game. Niantic could remove the ability to skip catch animations or force AR mode on someday as an update. So it exists in a gray area for now.

Auto Catching

Some players turn to auto-catch devices and apps that leverage Pokemon Go's Bluetooth accessory Pokemon Go Plus but with modified auto-catch software and scripts. These tools allow automatically catching Pokemon, collecting items, and spinning Pokestops without any effort from the player. Essentially it plays the game for you.

While players may enjoy set-it-and-forget-it play, this circumvents the intended core gameplay of actively catching them all yourself. And there's little doubt Niantic's anti-cheat detection can pick up on the clear, automated catch patterns. Auto catch cheats risk account termination.

IV Revealers

IV-revealing apps like PokeGenie have also grown in popularity for providing players information on a Pokemon's hidden Individual Values, or IVs, without needing to catch the Pokemon first. By uploading screenshots, these apps derive IV data letting players know whether a Pokemon is 100% perfect or worth seeing before throwing a single ball.

While not banned, IV checkers exist in a gray area by revealing key information Niantic intends players to access only after investing resources to capture a Pokemon. Their legal status could change if Niantic decides they provide too much analytic advantage. Tread carefully.

Mass Transferring Services

Some dedicated players have grown so powerful in Pokemon Go that manually transferring hundreds of Pokemon to recycle for candy becomes highly tedious. To save this time, services have sprung up offering to login to user accounts and mass transfer Pokemon in bulk as requested. However, allowing random third-party services, such as broad access to reports, is an enormous risk. Niantic frowns on these services violating terms of use and could easily crack down on them. Use extreme caution before handing any service your login credentials.

Caution Before using Cheat: Three Strike Policy

It's important to note that Niantic employs a three-strikes policy before permanently terminating accounts caught violating terms by cheating. The strikes work as follows:

1. 1st Strike: 7-day account suspension
2. 2nd Strike: 30-day account suspension
3. 3rd Strike: Permanent account termination

While cheats may provide short-term gain, getting an account banned that you've invested significant time and money into cultivating is devastating. Losing rarely maxed Pokemon and achievements is difficult to swallow. As temptation looms, caution and prudence are warranted.

Conclusion

In summary, while Pokemon Go cheats such as GPS spoofing, auto-catchers, IV revealers, and others promise advantages, they directly violate Niantic's terms of service and carry an inherent risk of losing your account if detected. While some cheats manage to fly under the radar for a time, Niantic's anti-cheat systems are consistently evolving and improving - meaning eventual detection of unauthorized gameplay is likely. For the best, most enjoyable Pokemon experience, it is wise to resist temptation and embrace fair play - catching them all legitimately. The satisfaction and pride of earning your achievements honestly through dedication and effort rather than cheating make it all the sweeter.