Pokémon GO Soft Ban 2025: Tips to Avoid and Remove It

Have you ever been caught in a Pokémon GO soft ban, where suddenly every PokéStop and wild Pokémon slips right through your fingers? No worries—in this guide, I’ll break down what a soft ban is, what causes it, and how you can escape its clutches. Plus, I’ll share some insider tips on avoiding these hiccups altogether. Sound good? Let’s get rollin’!

1. What Is a Soft Ban in Pokémon GO?

Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is a soft ban?

A soft ban is Pokémon GO’s way of gently telling you, “Hey, something’s not right.” It’s not as harsh as a full-on ban, but it temporarily limits what you can do in the game. For instance, you might not be able to catch Pokémon—they’ll escape every time—or spin PokéStops, which won’t give you any rewards.

The kicker? Everything else in the game looks fine. You can log in, check your inventory, and even see nearby Pokémon, but you’re locked out of the fun stuff.

Think of it as a timeout for questionable behavior. And speaking of that...

2. What Actions Trigger a Pokémon GO Soft Ban?

Soft bans don’t happen out of the blue. Here are some common ways trainers accidentally trigger them:

• Jumping Locations Too Quickly: Let’s say you’re spoofing your GPS location and suddenly “travel” from New York to Tokyo in five minutes. The game knows that’s impossible and throws a soft ban your way.
• Overusing Bots or Third-Party Apps: Automation tools like Pokémon GO auto cathers might seem like a shortcut, but Pokémon GO has systems in place to detect these and respond with bans.
• Excessive Gameplay: Catching too many Pokémon in a short span, spinning PokéStops nonstop, or participating in multiple raids within a very short period can all appear suspicious.
• Account Sharing: Sharing your Pokémon GO account also violates the game's terms of service and risks getting a soft ban.

Essentially, if your actions look too good to be true, the game’s anti-cheat system kicks in.

3. How to Avoid and How Long a Soft Ban Lasts?

If you’re using GPS spoofing in Pokémon GO, tread carefully. Here’s what you can do to avoid getting soft banned:

• Respect Pokémon GO Cooldown Periods: It's a built-in mechanic in Pokémon GO where, after teleporting to a new location, players must wait before performing certain actions. Always calculate how long it would take to travel between two locations and wait that long before making a move.
• Use High-Quality Pokémon GO Spoofing Apps: To effectively avoid soft bans in Pokémon GO, it's crucial to use a reliable spoofing app that helps you calculate the cooldown time and includes other safety features to minimize detection risks.
• Limit Your Jumps: Stick to small location changes that seem natural, such as moving within a single city, to make your movements appear more believable.

Most soft bans last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on what triggered the ban. In extreme cases, they can extend up to 12 hours. If you jumped locations, the cooldown period could align with how far you “traveled.”

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4. How to Detect If a Pokémon GO Soft Ban Is Lifted?

Not sure if your soft ban is done and dusted? Here are two simple ways to figure it out:

• Try Catching a Pokémon: If it bolts off right away, well, you’re still in the penalty box.
• Spin a PokéStop: If it leaves you empty-handed, you’re still in timeout.

Keep giving it a go every 10-15 minutes. Once you can snag those critters or scoop up items, you’re back in the game!

5. How to Avoid a Soft Ban While Spoofing Your Location

If you're into location spoofing, you need to be extra careful. Spoofing can easily trigger a soft ban on Pokémon GO, but with the right tools, you can reduce the chances of this happening.

Here’s where iRocket LocSpoof comes into play. This tool is your friend when you want to spoof your location safely. One remarkable feature of this location spoofer is the cooldown timer it comes with. It means you don't have to bother keeping tabs on the wait times yourself, which is a lifesaver! Plus, you can mimic movement, tweak how fast you're moving, and even set up your own custom routes. This way, Niantic won't suspect a thing when you teleport around or zoom past like you're in a hurry.

Features of iRocket LocSpoof

• Avoid Soft Bans: The built-in cooldown timer ensures smooth gameplay by helping you steer clear of Pokémon GO soft bans.
• Versatile Modes: Choose from Teleport, Joystick, Navigation, and Multi-spot modes for a fully customizable experience.
• Seamless Compatibility: Works effortlessly with the latest iOS 18 and Android 15 systems.
• Extra Perks: Enjoy advanced features like Pokémon and Raids search for better gaming strategies.

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How to Spoof Pokémon GO with LocSpoof

Step 1 Install and launch iRocket LocSpoof

Step 2 Click on the map or enter your desired location in the search bar, then tap Move to change location.

You can also spoof location via PC:

Step 1 Connect your iOS device to your computer with a USB cable, ensuring that iTunes is installed and running on it.

Step 2 Use the Teleport Mode or Joystick Mode to change location.

6. Final Thoughts

Pokémon GO soft bans can feel like a roadblock, but they’re not the end of your adventure. By understanding what causes them, knowing how to lift them, and learning how to avoid them altogether, you can keep catching, spinning, and battling with ease. So go ahead—gear up, plan your moves wisely, and keep your Pokémon journey rolling. Just remember, play fair (or at least smart)!

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• Compatible with all location-based apps, including Pokémon GO, Snapchat, and Life360.
• Support iOS 18 and Android 15.