How to do an AR scan in Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go has a series of field research tasks that require players to take an AR scan of a PokéStop. PokéStops are the landmarks you see in the game, with a photo disc representing their location. These landmarks are typically community buildings, statues, iconic areas, or even local businesses. The size varies based on what’s been submitted to developers Niantic. Now, players who receive an AR scan quest to visit these locations to provide more details for the developers, and these quests do count for a player’s daily field research task.

When you receive one of the AR field research tasks from a PokéStop, it provides you with a distinct PokéStop landmark that you need to visit. It won’t be too far from where you receive the field research task, so you won’t have to travel across the entire city.

After arriving at the particular PokéStop for the task, you need to scan the location. These are the devices that support the Pokémon Go AR scan feature.

1. iOS: PokéStop Scanning is available on iPhone 6s and newer devices running iOS 11+.
2. Android: PokéStop Scanning is available on devices running Android 7.0+ and can support Google Play Services for AR. Supported devices must install Google Play Services for AR from the Google Play Store. 

When you’re ready to scan, click the top three dots on the upper right part of your screen of where the PokéStop is. Tap the Scan PokéStop icon. For those who record it for the first time, there will be several notifications and prompts you to need to follow. 

After those prompts, hit the record button to start taking scans of the location. You want to make sure your camera captures the top and bottom part of the place, and you capture 20 to 30 seconds of it. Slowly walk around the feature, and then upload your recording. You can also choose to upload it later.

You have the option to record it several times if you do not successfully capture it. So long as the AR field research task is complete, you should be good to go.

About the author

Zack Palm

Zack Palm is the Senior Writer of Gamepur and has spent over five years covering video games, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Oregon State University. He spends his free time biking, running tabletop campaigns, and listening to heavy metal. His primary game beats are Pokémon Go, Destiny 2, Final Fantasy XIV, and any newly released title, and he finds it difficult to pull away from any Star Wars game.

More Stories by Zack Palm