Pokemon GO to Drop Support for Older Android Devices in 2025

Several older mobile devices will soon lose compatibility with Pokemon GO, impacting players using 32-bit Android phones. Niantic, the game developer, announced that updates in March and June 2025 will end support for these devices. This affects a significant number of older Android models, though 64-bit Android devices and all iPhones will remain compatible.

This news comes as Pokemon GO celebrates its upcoming ninth anniversary. While the game maintains a substantial player base, exceeding 110 million active players in December 2024, this change will disrupt gameplay for some long-time users. Niantic aims to optimize the game's performance on newer hardware, leading to this necessary but potentially inconvenient decision.

Affected Devices (Partial List):

The official announcement includes a partial list of affected devices, including but not limited to:

• Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Note 3, J3
• Sony Xperia Z2, Z3
• Motorola Moto G (1st generation)
• LG Fortune, Tribute
• OnePlus One
• HTC One (M8)
• ZTE Overture 3
• Various Android devices released before 2015

Players using these devices are urged to securely save their login credentials. While they can access their accounts after upgrading to a compatible phone, they will be unable to play until the upgrade is complete. This includes any purchased Pokecoins.

Looking Ahead to 2025:

Despite this setback for some players, 2025 promises exciting developments for the broader Pokemon franchise. Highly anticipated releases like Pokemon Legends: Z-A are on the horizon, along with rumored remakes of Pokemon Black and White and a potential new entry in the Let's Go series. A rumored Pokemon Presents showcase on February 27th may reveal further details regarding the future of Pokemon GO itself.