Secret Pokemon Go update removes 3 step bug and rolls out several other changes


Update: The update is now available for iOS users as well

We found out earlier this morning that a secret update happened a couple of weeks ago, when Niantic took the servers down for nearly an entire day to “fix minor text issues.” Some Pokémon got nerfed, while others got some much needed buffs.

However, that’s not all that will be changing in the popular augmented-reality game with Version 0.31.0.

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Game play caution

Now when you first enter the game, a pop up message will greet you with one of the following warnings:

  • Don’t drive while playing Pokémon GO.
  • Don’t enter dangerous areas while playing Pokémon GO.
  • Don’t trespass while playing Pokémon GO.
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

Footprints are missing

With the “three steps glitch” causing everyone a ton of heartache, those pesky footprints are now gone, probably until Niantic fixes the glitch issue. It gives us a glimmer of hope that hopefully the glitch will be fixed sooner rather than later.

This doesn’t really change the game all too much for the time being, but it might mean that we should stop calling it the “three steps glitch” since the steps are now completely gone.

image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

The transfer button has moved

Remember how annoying it was to transfer the 50 Pidgeys you just caught out on your walk? You had to scroll to the bottom of the screen, wait for the little map to load showing where you caught it, and then hit the transfer button hoping that you didn’t hit the “x” instead, causing you to repeat all of the aforementioned steps. Well, lucky for us, the transfer button is now in a more convenient location.

All you have to do now is tap on the circle at the bottom right while on the screen of the Pokemon you want to transfer, and a small menu will pop up. It’s the little things, y’all.

image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

Your favorite Pokémon are now safe from transferring

It is so easy to accidentally send one of your favorite Pokémon over to Professor Willow. However, now if you “favorite” a Pokémon by clicking on the star icon, it is now safe from transferring. Hooray!

image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

You can change your Trainer’s appearance

This simple, yet convenient option now allows you to change the look of your Trainer. It’s a nice feature because a lot of players picked a color scheme opposite of what team they ended up on (myself included), and sometimes you just want to color coordinate.

It’s also nice to change it up a little bit if you get tired of seeing the same outfit on every time you play the game. It’s always nice to have options.

image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

Egg incubators are more easily accessible

Now when you go to incubate an egg, there is a button at the bottom right of the screen that will allow you to access the shop. This is just a small change that adds in a little convenience, along with tempting you to spend some money on some Poké Coins. There’s nothing wrong with an impulse buy every now and then.

image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

A few miscellaneous changes

  • refined certain Gym animations
  • improved memory issues
  • various bug fixes during wild Pokemon encounter
  • updated achievement medal images
  • fixed issues with displaying certain map features
  • updated Pokemon details screen (font is bolded)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)
image via pokemon go (friedricearoni)

Not everyone has received the update yet, and iOS users will have to wait a little longer, and unfortunately we don’t have a date yet as to when it will be available. A lot of these changes reflect what the community has been asking for, so kudos to Niantic for listening to its players.

There is some good news for you trainers out there who still want to gain an unfair advantage. Even though Niantic shut down access to their servers, there are some apps that use artificial intelligence and crowdsourcing to help you find rare Pokemon, Pokestops, and Gyms. Pokemon Go Maps is probably the best one out right now, developed by a former google engineer. Since Pokemon Go Maps is built without using any third party APIs it does not violate any Pokemon Go Terms of Service and won’t jeopardize your account. Here’s where you can get it:

Pokemon Go Maps for iOS
Pokemon Go Maps for Android