Your first week back in Pokémon GO
By Matt, MattSimplified
5 min read
Start by updating the app, checking your new avatar and clearing some space. Then settle into a simple daily routine: spin a gym for your free Raid Pass, use your Daily Adventure Incense and Egg, send gifts and check what's on this week. Hold off on powering anything up until you know which Pokémon are worth it now, because a lot has changed.
What you need
A lot has changed, including your avatar, so update first and give it a minute to download everything.
You start with room for 300 Pokémon and 350 items. Levelling up now adds more, so you may have more room than you remember.
Raids, trades and gifts all work better with friends, and many players are more active than ever.
What to do first
- Check what's changed
Pick the year you last played on my what's changed page to see everything new since.
- Look at your level
The level curve was rebuilt in October 2025, so your trainer level has probably gone up. The cap is now 80.
- Check your avatar
Avatars were rebuilt in 2024. Your old look didn't carry over exactly, so have a look in the style menu.
- Clear some space, carefully
Transfer duplicates and anything you won't use. Keep your Shadows and anything high level.
Don't transfer your oldest PokémonPokémon you caught years ago have much better odds of turning Lucky when you trade them. Save them for trades with friends.
A simple daily routine
Get your free Raid Pass. You can only hold one, so use it before you spin for the next.
15 minutes, once a day, and it only works while you're moving. Save it for a walk.
From level 15, a free 1 km egg every day in its own incubator.
One gift to each friend a day. It's the easiest way to build friendship.
Defending earns up to 50 PokéCoins a day.
Each day of the week has a bonus, like Raid Hour on Wednesday.
Remote raids in 2026
You can do up to 10 remote raids a day with Remote Raid Passes, and some raid days raise it to 20. They work in shadow raids and Max Battles too.
Friends can invite you to their raids, and Great Friends or higher can join each other's raids straight from the friends list.
Pick your next guide
The raid type you'll see most, with a new mechanic to learn.
A whole new battle type with its own currency.
What each day of the week brings, and which events matter.
Don't power up yet
Your old team might not be the best anymore. Plenty of new attackers have arrived, and Max Battles have their own best picks. Before you spend Stardust and Candy XL, check what's actually worth building now. And remember, a Pokémon's level matters far more than its IVs.
Matt, MattSimplifiedFirst week back FAQ
Is it worth coming back to Pokémon GO in 2026?
There's more to do than ever, with Max Battles, shadow raids, Super Mega Raids and a bonus every day of the week. The best way to decide is to play for a week with a simple routine.
How many remote raids can you do a day?
Up to 10, and up to 20 on some raid days.
What happened to my avatar?
Avatars were rebuilt in April 2024, so your old look didn't carry over exactly. You can change it in the style menu.
Why did my trainer level go up?
The level curve was rebalanced in October 2025, and most players went up at least one level.
How much storage do you start with?
300 Pokémon and 350 items. You can buy upgrades, and levelling up now adds more too.
More new and returning player guides
Every guide lives in the new and returning player guide.
Need people to raid with?
Join my Patreon to support the content and I'll add you to my friends list, plus five of my mods add you too, so lots of raid invites come your way.
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