Methods to Fix Pokémon GO Gotcha Not Working
by Ryan Carter Updated on 2026-10-20 / Update for Change Location
Pokémon GO Gotcha devices are a convenient way for players to catch Pokémon and gather items from PokéStops as they link with Pokémon GO via Bluetooth.
Whether you're playing with the original Go-tcha or the Gotcha Evolve, you can automate some of the catching and spinning functions that are compatible with them without having to keep checking your phone. This guide will explain what the Pokémon GO Gotcha is, how to connect it, configure settings , and also how to fix common issues.
- Part 1. What Can Pokémon GO Gotcha Do?
- Part 2. How to Use Pokémon GO Gotcha with Pokémon GO?
- Part 3. Pokémon GO Gotcha Not Working? Try These Fixes
- Part 4. Auto Catch Pokémon Without Hardware
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Part 1. What Can Pokémon GO Gotcha Do?
Pokémon GO Gotcha, known as Go-tcha, is a Bluetooth-enabled Pokémon GO catcher that allows you to play the game without having to constantly look at your phone. Depending on the model, it notifies you of the presence of Pokémon and PokéStops, and can catch Pokémon and collect items when the associated auto-functions are activated.
Go-tcha Evolve, for example, has a colorful animated display, vibration notification, built-in USB charging, and an auto-catch feature. According to the manufacturer, it can collect items from PokéStops and catch Pokémon while Pokémon GO is running in the background.
1.1 Pokémon GO Gotcha vs. Gotcha Evolve vs. iAnyGo Auto Catcher
| Feature | Gotcha | Gotcha Evolve | iAnyGo Auto-Catcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Catch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Spin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rechargeable | ✓ | ✓ | No dedicated hardware required |
| Display | Basic | Improved / Color | Software Interface |
| Extra hardware | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Free trial | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
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Part 2. How to Use Pokémon GO Gotcha with Pokémon GO?
The process of setting up a Go tcha Pokémon GO connection is fairly simple, but the menu names can vary a bit between different versions of Pokémon GO and different models of Go-tcha.
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Charge Your Go-tcha
Prior to attempting to troubleshoot Bluetooth, ensure the device has enough battery. The Go-tcha Evolve, for instance, has built-in USB charging, and its manufacturer claims that it takes about an hour and a half to fully charge.
When the battery is low, it can be confusing to troubleshoot, as the device may show up for a moment on the list of available Bluetooth devices, and then disappear.
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Turn on Pokémon GO
Start Pokémon GO on your phone and stay at the game's main map.
Then open:
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Make the Go-tcha Discoverable
Wake your Go tcha app by pressing its button or screen. Your device will go into connection/discover mode. Then, in Pokémon GO, look for available accessory devices. Choose the Go-tcha/ Pokémon GO Plus option when it appears.
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Complete the Bluetooth Pairing
Follow the pairing prompt on your smartphone and in Pokémon GO.
You will see the accessory connection indicator in Pokémon GO once successfully connected.
Note:Niantic's current instructions for official Bluetooth accessories say that you should pair the device within Pokémon GO, not manually via your phone's Bluetooth settings.
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Turn on Auto-Catch
If your Go tcha settings model has the auto-catch feature, you can enable it from the device. For Go-tcha Evolve, the manufacturer's instructions say that you can press and hold the device button until Auto-catch ON is selected and a green check appears.
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Test It in a Busy Place
As a quick test, you can walk through a few PokéStops and some Pokémon. If you have 5-10 PokéStops on a short walk, you can look at your Journal and Item Bag later to see if the Go-tcha was able to collect items. When you are testing auto-catch, you need to have regular Poké Balls.
Part 3. Pokémon GO Gotcha Not Working? Try These Fixes
If your Go-tcha seems to be connected but won't catch Pokémon, spin PokéStops, or stay connected via Bluetooth, try the following solutions in order.
Pokémon GO Gotcha Won't Connect
Start with the simplest fixes:
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Close Pokémon GO.
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Wake the Go-tcha.
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Reopen Pokémon GO.
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Go to Settings → Connected Devices and Services → Accessory Devices.
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Try pairing again.
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Ensure the Go-tcha is not already connected to another phone.
Niantic recommends removing/ejecting the current connection and re-pairing for official Bluetooth accessories when you have connection issues.
In the case of the Go-tcha Evolve, Codejunkies advises ejecting the device from Pokémon GO, forgetting it from the Bluetooth settings of any connected phones, closing the Go-tcha app, and then trying to pair with Pokémon GO again.
Also check:
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Bluetooth is enabled.
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Pokémon GO has the required permissions.
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The phone is near Gotcha.
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The Gotcha battery is not almost dead.
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The device is not currently being used by another phone.
Gotcha Keeps Disconnecting from Pokémon GO
Bluetooth connections can sometimes fail during extended playing sessions.
Try this order of steps:
Disconnect → restart Pokémon GO → wake Gotcha → reconnect.
If the problem persists, restart your phone.
It is not recommended to keep multiple Bluetooth gaming devices connected when not needed. You should also ensure that your phone's battery saver system is not too aggressively limiting Pokémon GO or Bluetooth activity.
Gotcha Is Connected but Won't Catch Pokémon
This is one of the most common pokemon gotcha problems.
First, make sure you actually have regular Poké Balls.
Connected Pokémon GO accessories typically use regular Poké Balls for automatic catching attempts, and you can't choose to automatically use every type of Poké Ball in your inventory. Niantic says that you can't try to catch Pokémon with a Pokémon GO Plus-style device if you don't have any regular Poké Balls.
In this case:
Poké Balls: 0
Great Balls: 120
Ultra Balls: 80
An automatic catcher may not be able to catch Pokémon in this situation, despite having many other balls in your inventory.
Also, ensure that:
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Auto-catch is enabled.
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Pokémon GO is working as it should.
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The Gotcha is still connected.
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Your Pokémon storage is not full.
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The Pokémon is actually close enough to interact with.
You can try walking a few feet away from some common Pokémon and then leaving the device to run for a few minutes.
Want a Pokémon GO Gotcha alternative? Learn how iAnyGo Auto-Catch can catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops automatically.
Gotcha Is Not Spinning PokéStops
If catching is working but spinning is not, take a look at your Go-tcha settings.
Ensure that:
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Auto-spin is turned on.
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Make sure you are near a PokéStop.
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There is space in your Item Bag.
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The unit stays online.
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Pokémon GO is not having a network outage.
A full Item Bag is especially hard to miss. The official Pokémon GO Bluetooth-device documentation states that a full bag will disallow a user from collecting successful items.
Gotcha Evolve Not Working
If your Gotcha Evolve is not working, first check its app connection and firmware.
The Go-tcha Evolve app allows you to check your stats, modify device configurations, and/or apply updates.
One key issue is that the Go-tcha Evolve is unable to connect to the companion app and Pokémon GO at the same time. The maker explicitly tells users to quit Pokémon GO before connecting the Evolve to its companion app.
Pokémon GO Can't Detect My Gotcha
If your gotcha device Pokémon GO connection isn't showing up at all, try refreshing the Bluetooth connection.
First, ensure the Go-tcha is awake and has enough battery.
Next:
Pokémon GO → Settings → Connected Devices and Services → Accessory Devices.
Put the Go-tcha into its discoverable mode and wait for it to show up.
In the case of the Go-tcha Evolve, the manufacturer's troubleshooting guide specifically advises against having the device connected elsewhere and to close its companion app before attempting to connect it to Pokémon GO.
For comprehensive details, you can read out the communication of multiple players on Reddit and Discord.
Part 4. Auto Catch Pokémon Without Hardware
Software-based Pokémon GO catcher options are also available if you like the idea of a Pokémon GO catcher but don't want to wear a physical wristband or Bluetooth accessory.
Tenorshare iAnyGo Auto Catcher is a software solution that claims to automatically catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops without requiring specific physical catcher hardware. Their product page currently advertises Bluetooth-powered auto-catching, the ability to run in the background, and compatibility with both iPhone and Android.
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The software performs the auto-catch function through your existing setup instead of requiring you to purchase and charge a separate Gotcha device.
Tenorshare's current instructions for the basic setup are:
Make sure, you have the latest iAnyGo version or at least 4.9.0.
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Download iAnyGo from the official web page and install it on your PC.
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Connect your phone to the computer.
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Choose Game Mode only. It is important because auto-catch only works when it is enabled.
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Make sure your phone's bluetooth is connected to the PC.
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Click the auto-catch button on the interface and tap the 'Try Now' button.
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Open the 'Computer Management' on your PC and choose 'Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) '.
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Access settings the change your device name with "Pokemon GO Plus".
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On the Pokemon GO app, open Settings and choose Accessory Devices.
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Click on the Pokemon GO Plus auto-catcher option once available on the screen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pokémon GO Gotcha automatically catch Pokémon?
Yes, Go-tcha models that are compatible include the auto-catch function. When it's on, the device will try to catch wild Pokémon on its own without you needing to tap the device for every encounter. But auto-catching isn't guaranteed.
What app do I need for Go-tcha?
It depends on your model of Go-tcha. For the Go-tcha Evolve, the company has a separate Go-tcha Evolve App to monitor stats, modify settings, and to update the unit. The companion app is not the same as Pokémon GO itself. You still use the Pokémon GO app to play and to connect the device as an accessory.
How do I change Go-tcha settings?
With the Go-tcha Evolve, if you have the right models, go to the Go-tcha Evolve App once you have exited Pokémon GO. The companion app lets you access device settings and stats, and also download firmware updates through the app. Certain features such as auto-catch can be controlled from the device based on the model.
Do I need a physical Gotcha device to auto-catch Pokémon?
No, not necessarily. The classic Go-tcha needs a physical device, but there are software substitutes, like Tenorshare iAnyGo Auto Catcher, that work to catch automatically without a physical catcher.
Can I try iAnyGo Auto Catcher for free?
Tenorshare offers a trial version for iAnyGo Auto Catcher. Availability and terms of the trial may vary, so please confirm the latest one with the official website before the start.
Final Thoughts
Pokémon GO Gotcha allows you to catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops more conveniently with auto features. In the event of connectivity issues, first check your Bluetooth, battery, settings, Poké Balls , and space in your inventory. For those who want a software solution and not physical hardware, iAnyGo Auto Catcher is an alternative for automated Pokémon GO gameplay.
