How To Turn Off Augmented Reality in Pokemon Go?
Want to focus on catching Pokemon without the distraction and battery drain of your real-world surroundings? This is your guide. You can easily turn off Augmented Reality (AR) in Pokemon Go during encounters with wild Pokemon by toggling the AR switch.
Introduction: Beyond the Screen
Pokemon Go brought augmented reality (AR) into the mainstream, allowing players to see digital creatures overlaid onto their real-world surroundings. While innovative and immersive, AR isn’t always practical. Whether you’re indoors, conserving battery life, or simply prefer a less visually cluttered experience, knowing how to turn off Augmented Reality in Pokemon Go? is a fundamental skill for any serious trainer. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process, benefits, and answers to frequently asked questions.
The Benefits of Disabling AR
Disabling AR in Pokemon Go offers several advantages. Here are just a few:
- Battery Conservation: AR utilizes your phone’s camera and processing power significantly, draining battery life faster. Turning it off can extend your playtime.
- Improved Catching Consistency: With AR off, Pokemon are always centered on your screen, making it easier to aim your Poke Balls and land accurate throws.
- Enhanced Stability: The AR feature relies on your phone’s gyroscope and accelerometer. In unstable environments or with older devices, AR can be glitchy. Disabling it provides a smoother, more reliable experience.
- Privacy: Some players are uncomfortable with sharing their surroundings through their phone’s camera, even if only for a fleeting moment. Disabling AR addresses these privacy concerns.
Step-by-Step: The Turning-Off Process
Learning How To Turn Off Augmented Reality in Pokemon Go? is remarkably simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Initiate an Encounter: Find a wild Pokemon on the map and tap on it to start an encounter.
- Locate the AR Toggle: Look for the AR toggle button in the upper right-hand corner of your screen during the encounter. The icon generally represents a camera with lines indicating movement or augmentation.
- Toggle it Off: Tap the AR toggle button. When AR is disabled, the background will switch to a stylized, computer-generated scene.
- Catch ‘Em All! Focus on catching the Pokemon without AR interference.
This process must be repeated for each individual encounter, unless your device doesn’t support ARCore/ARKit. In this case, AR is effectively turned off by default.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that turning off AR disables all visual effects in the game. It only disables the overlay of Pokemon onto your real-world camera feed. Pokemon Go continues to use visual effects and animations even with AR turned off. Also, some players mistakenly believe turning off AR in the Pokemon Go settings menu will disable it completely. However, the setting only affects Adventure Sync, not the standard Pokemon encounter sequence. Learning How To Turn Off Augmented Reality in Pokemon Go? during each encounter is crucial.
Understanding ARCore/ARKit Requirements
Pokemon Go‘s AR functionality relies on Google’s ARCore (for Android) or Apple’s ARKit (for iOS). Not all devices support these frameworks. If your device is incompatible, AR will be disabled automatically.
| Feature | ARCore | ARKit |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Android | iOS |
| Function | Enables AR features within Android apps | Enables AR features within iOS apps |
| Compatibility | Requires specific Android versions and devices | Requires specific iOS versions and devices |
| Impact on Pokemon Go | Affects AR display during encounters | Affects AR display during encounters |
FAQs: Deeper Insights into AR and Pokemon Go
How can I tell if my phone supports ARCore/ARKit?
You can typically check the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS) to see if ARCore or ARKit apps are compatible with your device. Pokemon Go itself will not force AR if it detects that your device lacks the necessary hardware or software support.
Does disabling AR affect the Pokemon’s catch rate?
No, disabling AR does not affect the Pokemon’s catch rate. The catch rate is determined by other factors, such as the type of Poke Ball used, the use of berries, curveball throws, and the accuracy of your throw.
Can I permanently disable AR in the Pokemon Go settings?
No, there is no setting in Pokemon Go that permanently disables AR for all encounters. You must manually toggle it off during each encounter. There is a setting for AR+ functionality and Adventure Sync, but that is different.
Why does the AR toggle sometimes disappear?
The AR toggle might disappear temporarily due to glitches or connection issues. Restarting the Pokemon Go app usually resolves this issue.
Is there a difference between AR and AR+?
Yes, AR+ (AR Plus) is an enhanced version of AR. It allows for more realistic Pokemon placement and interactions, but it requires a compatible device and can drain battery life even faster. You can enable or disable AR+ in the Pokemon Go settings.
Does disabling AR make the game easier?
For many players, disabling AR does make the game easier because it stabilizes the Pokemon’s position and removes the need to physically move your phone to aim.
Will disabling AR affect my ability to participate in certain events?
While some special research tasks have required using AR in the past, they are rare. Generally, disabling AR will not prevent you from participating in most Pokemon Go events.
Does turning off AR affect Adventure Sync?
No, turning off AR during Pokemon encounters does not affect Adventure Sync. Adventure Sync tracks your distance walked using your phone’s sensors, regardless of your AR settings during gameplay.
I have an older phone. Is there a downside to using AR?
Yes, using AR on an older phone can lead to performance issues, such as lag and overheating. Disabling AR can significantly improve the gameplay experience on older devices.
What if the background is just black after disabling AR?
A black background after disabling AR usually indicates a temporary glitch. Try closing and reopening the Pokemon Go app. If the problem persists, try restarting your phone.
Does disabling AR affect the storage space the app uses?
No, disabling AR does not significantly affect the storage space used by the app. The AR feature is already built into the app, regardless of whether it’s active or not.
How often will I need to turn AR off?
You will need to turn AR off for every encounter where you don’t want to use it. There is no way to set a default preference to always have AR disabled, unless your phone lacks ARCore/ARKit support. Understanding How To Turn Off Augmented Reality in Pokemon Go? ensures you can easily adapt to your preferred playstyle.