[2025] Master the Game: Defeat the Pokémon GO Soft Ban Curse!
No jailbreak/root. No cracked Pokémon GO. Use LocaChange to spoof Pokémon GO location with 1 click. Verified 100% safe!

Have you ever teleported to a new location in Pokémon GO, only to find all the Pokémon fleeing and PokéStops no longer giving out items? You’ve probably hit a Pokémon GO Soft Ban. Whether you’re spoofing or just traveling, these bans can ruin your gameplay.
In this article, we’ll explain what a Pokémon GO Soft Ban is, what triggers it in 2025, and most importantly, how to fix and avoid it. Let's go!
In this article:
What is a Pokémon GO Soft Ban?
Pokémon GO Soft Ban is a temporary restriction from Niantic when the game detects unusual activity, such as using Pokémon GO Fake GPS, changing locations too quickly or logging in from different countries within minutes. It’s not a permanent ban, but it can stop you from playing normally for a short time.

What Happens If You Get Soft Banned in Pokémon GO?
If you’ve been soft banned, here’s what you’ll experience:
Every Pokémon you encounter will flee, no matter which Poké Ball or berries you use.
Spinning PokéStops won’t drop any items.
Can’t battle in Gyms, place defenders, or participate in Raids.
The game may seem glitchy, even though it still opens normally.
How Long Does a Pokémon GO Soft Ban Last?
A Pokémon GO soft ban typically lasts between 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on what caused it. Most soft bans end within 2 hours, especially if it’s your first time getting one.
Action That Triggers Soft Ban | Estimated Duration |
---|---|
Minor GPS jump (within the same city) | 0 - 5 minutes |
Jump to another city or state | 15 - 30 minutes |
Long-distance jump (different country/continent) | 1 - 2 hours |
Frequent spoofing/teleporting without cooldown | 2 - 12 hours |
Use of unsafe 3rd-party spoofing apps | 1 - 12 hours |
Repeated soft bans in a short time | Up to 24 hours or more |
Always follow cooldown rules after changing your location. The farther you travel, the longer you should wait before catching Pokémon or spinning PokéStops. Below is the Cooldown Chart:
Total Distance | Waiting Period | Total Distance | Waiting Period |
---|---|---|---|
1 Km | 1 Minute | 125 Km | 33 Minutes |
2 Km | 1 Minute | 150 Km | 36 Minutes |
4 Km | 2 Minutes | 180 Km | 39 Minutes |
10 Km | 8 Minutes | 200 Km | 42 Minutes |
15 Km | 11 Minutes | 300 Km | 50 Minutes |
25 Km | 15 Minutes | 500 Km | 64 Minutes |
30 Km | 18 Minutes | 600 Km | 72 Minutes |
40 Km | 22 Minutes | 700 Km | 80 Minutes |
45 Km | 23 Minutes | 800 Km | 86 Minutes |
60 Km | 25 Minutes | 1000 Km | 100 Minutes |
80 Km | 27 Minutes | 1250 Km | 118 Minutes |
100 Km | 30 Minutes | 1266+ Km | 120+ Minutes |
Which Actions Lead to Pokémon GO Soft Ban?
After reading the first two parts, I believe you have some understanding of Pokémon GO soft bans, so let me continue by explaining which behaviors will trigger soft bans. After using Pokémon GO spoofing tools to change your location, these actions can trigger a soft ban:
Catching Wild Pokémon (if done too soon after teleporting)
Dropping a Poké Ball (even accidentally, including in Raids)
Feeding Berries to Wild Pokémon (or Raid Bosses)
Spinning PokéStops (especially if hitting the "Try Again" spin limit)
Placing Pokémon in Gyms
Feeding Gym Defenders (within visible range)
Encountering Fleeing Pokémon (due to catch limits)
Using Auto Catchers (like Gotcha/Poké Ball Plus)
Trading Pokémon (if location mismatch is detected)
Participating in Remote Raids (if jumping between regions too fast)
Completing Special Research Tasks (if location-locked)
Opening Gifts from Distant Friends (may flag account sharing)
Avoid Pokémon GO Soft Bans While Spoofing with LocaChange!
How to Fix a Pokémon GO Soft Ban?
If you think your account has been soft banned in Pokémon GO, don't panic! Here are the 4 best methods to lift a soft ban:
1. Wait It Out: Soft bans typically have a duration of just a few minutes or hours, with a maximum time limit of 2 hours. In such cases, the best course of action is to simply wait for the ban to be lifted.
2. Spin a PokéStop 30 - 40 Times: Many players have reported success with this trick. You can follow these three steps:
- Find a PokéStop near you.
- Spin it 30–40 times (just spin and exit, no need to collect items).
- After enough spins, your ban might be lifted, and the PokéStop will start giving items again.
3. Use a New IP Address: If your IP is flagged, switching to a new, clean IP via a Pokémon GO VPN can sometimes help lift the ban sooner. This works best if the ban was caused by location errors or too many fast jumps.
4. Contact Niantic Support: If you believe you were wrongfully banned, you can contact Niantic’s Help Center. This option is best for legit players who were soft banned while traveling or using public Wi-Fi. Spoofers usually avoid this method because Niantic doesn’t support cheating in any form.
How to Check If a Pokémon GO Soft Ban Is Lifted?
There are multiple ways to determine if a soft ban in Pokémon GO has ended or not, and the simplest approach is to spin PokéStops and see if you receive rewards. If you're able to obtain rewards from PokéStops, it indicates that your soft ban is lifted.

How to Avoid Pokémon GO Soft Bans While Spoofing?
LocaChange is a powerful location changer and auto-catcher tool designed for safe Pokémon GO spoofing. It comes with built-in security features that help users avoid soft bans while spoofing. One of its most helpful tools is the Cooldown Timer, which automatically shows how long you need to wait after teleporting before taking any in-game actions.
The cooldown time ranges from 1 to 120 minutes, based on how far you jump between locations. To stay safe, it’s best to avoid catching Pokémon, spinning PokéStops, or battling until the timer runs out. You can check the full cooldown time in our Pokémon GO cooldown chart.
In addition to cooldown tracking, LocaChange also provides advanced spoofing features, allowing players to explore and play in any city or country without leaving home.

- Cooldown timer feature helps you avoid Pokémon GO soft ban.
- Change location in Pokémon GO in 2 steps, no root nor jailbreak required.
- Fully support customized route, adjustable speed as well as location teleporting.
- Additional features include cheap PokéCoins, Pokemon scanner, PvP finder, and more.
- Support for hatching eggs without walking in Pokémon GO.
- With a Pokémon Go joystick, you can control your movement path, speed, and position just like playing on Switch.
- Working well on the latest iOS and Android systems.
Use LocaChange to spoof in Pokémon GO without soft ban:
Step 1 Download and install LocaChange on your device.
Step 2 Open LocaChange and choose Game Mode - Pokémon GO Mode. Now you can play freely in Pokémon GO.
Use LocaChange to avoid soft ban on PC:
Step 1 Connet your phone to your PC via USB or WiFi.
Step 2 Open LocaChange and choose Game Mode - Pokémon GO Mode. Now you can spoof safely in Pokémon GO.

With the above steps, you can simply catch Pokémon at home, and soft ban won't bother you anymore. Overall, LocaChange is safe and will definitely be your great helper.
FAQs About Pokémon GO Soft Ban
1. Can I still play Pokémon GO while soft banned?
Yes, you can open the game and play it, but you can’t catch Pokémon, spin PokéStops, or join raids properly until the soft ban is lifted.
2. Can I get soft banned just for traveling?
Yes, if you log in from a very far location too quickly, the game may think you're spoofing. To avoid this, wait for the cooldown time or use a VPN to match your location more smoothly.
3. Will Niantic ban my account permanently for spoofing?
Yes. If you spoof too often or use unsafe third-party apps, Niantic may issue a strike system:
- 1st strike: Warning message
- 2nd strike: 7-day suspension
- 3rd strike: Permanent account ban
After you receive the 3rd strike, your account will be permanently banned.
Conclusion
Pokémon GO Soft Bans might disrupt your adventure, but with the right tools - like Pokémon GO spoofer LocaChange - you can avoid restrictions and keep the fun going. Say goodbye to frustrating bans and explore the world of Pokémon GO freely!
Ready to enhance your gameplay? Try LocaChange today and catch ’em all without limits!
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