Does Pokémon GO Plus Need to Be Charged to Work? (Complete Gamer Guide)

If you’ve been using Pokémon GO Plus for a while, chances are you’ve faced this moment:
You’re walking, the app is open, Pokémon are spawning… but your Pokémon GO Plus is silent. No vibration. No blinking light. Nothing.

The first thought most players have is simple:
“Do I need to charge Pokémon GO Plus?”

The short answer is no — but the real explanation goes much deeper. Let’s break it down properly, the way a Pokémon GO player actually needs it explained.

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Does Pokémon GO Plus Need to Be Charged to Work?

No, Pokémon GO Plus does not need to be charged.
But yes, it does need power to work — and that power comes from a replaceable battery, not a charger.

Pokémon GO Plus uses a CR2032 coin cell battery, similar to what you find in watches or car key remotes. When this battery runs out, the device stops responding. You don’t charge it — you replace the battery.

This single difference is the root cause of almost all confusion.

Also Read: How to Get Charmander in Pokémon Sword (Complete Player Guide – 2025)

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Why Pokémon GO Plus Was Designed Without Charging

When Pokémon GO Plus was released, it was designed for:

• Long outdoor walks
• Minimal setup
• Low maintenance

Instead of adding:

• Charging ports
• Cables
• Internal rechargeable batteries

Niantic opted for:

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Coin cell battery power
• A device that could run quietly for weeks

This design choice means:

• No daily or weekly charging
• No battery percentage display
• Fewer internal components that can fail

But it also means players aren’t warned when the battery is about to die, which leads to confusion.

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Why Players Think Pokémon GO Plus Needs Charging

From a gamer’s perspective, here’s what actually happens:

• The device works fine for weeks
• Vibration becomes weaker
• Connections drop randomly
• One day… it just stops responding

Because:

• There’s no charging port
• No battery alert
• No on-screen warning

…it feels exactly like a rechargeable device that ran out of charge.

In reality, the battery has simply reached the end of its life.

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What Battery Does Pokémon GO Plus Use?

Pokémon GO Plus uses a CR2032 lithium coin cell battery.

Why this battery?

• Extremely low power drain
• Stable voltage
• Works well with Bluetooth accessories

Typical battery life for players:

• Light players: 2–3 months
• Regular players: 1–2 months
• Hardcore grinders: 3–5 weeks

Battery life depends on:

• Daily playtime
• Constant Bluetooth connection
• Vibration frequency (Pokémon-heavy areas drain faster)

Also Read: How to Get Rolycoly in Pokémon GO

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Real Gamer Scenarios (You’ll Relate to These)

Scenario 1: “It connects but doesn’t vibrate.”

This usually means the battery is weak, not dead. The device still connects but can’t power vibration consistently.

Scenario 2: “It keeps disconnecting every few minutes.”

Low battery causes unstable Bluetooth signals. Replacing the battery usually fixes this instantly.

Scenario 3: “LED doesn’t blink at all”

This is a clear sign the battery is fully drained.

Scenario 4: “Reset didn’t fix anything”

Resetting won’t help if there’s no power. Battery replacement is required.

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How to Replace the Pokémon GO Plus Battery (Gamer-Friendly Fix)

You don’t need technical skills or service help.

What you need:

• 1 CR2032 battery
• A coin (or flat object)

Steps:

1. Turn the back cover using a coin
2. Remove the old battery
3. Insert the new battery (positive side up)
4. Close the cover tightly
5. Re-pair the device in Pokémon GO

Most players report:

“It started working immediately after battery replacement.”

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Pokémon GO Plus vs Pokémon GO Plus+ (Major Source of Confusion)

Many players search this question after seeing newer devices.

Key difference:

• Pokémon GO Plus → No charging, battery replacement
• Pokémon GO Plus+ → Rechargeable, needs charging

Feature	Pokémon GO Plus	Pokémon GO Plus+
Charging required	❌ No	✅ Yes
Battery type	CR2032 coin cell	Built-in rechargeable
Charging cable	❌ No	✅ Yes
Maintenance	Battery replacement	Charging

If your device has no charging port, it is Pokémon GO Plus, not Plus+.

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Common Mistakes Gamers Make Before Changing the Battery

Many players waste time trying to fix things that aren’t broken:

• Reinstalling the Pokémon GO app
• Resetting Bluetooth repeatedly
• Pairing and unpairing multiple times
• Assuming the device is “dead forever.”

In reality:
👉 90% of non-working Pokémon GO Plus devices just need a new battery.

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Final Gamer Verdict

If you remember just one thing, remember this:

Pokémon GO Plus never needs charging — it only needs a fresh battery.

When it stops working:

• ❌ Don’t look for a charger
• ❌ Don’t assume it’s broken
• ✅ Replace the CR2032 battery first

That single step solves most problems instantly.

Also Read: Best Zekrom Moveset in Pokémon GO: Full Guide for PvP, Raids & Gyms

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Frequently Asked Gamer Questions