Why Can’t I Follow Routes | Find Nearby Routes | Why No Routes Near Me | Can’t Create a Route | Can I Edit or Delete a Route | New Route Appear Time | Trainers See About Me | Restrict Who Can Use My Route | Why Route Rejected | Start or End Point Is Removed | Route Gift Exchange
Pokémon GO Routes let you follow paths created by other Trainers while exploring your local area. You can follow Routes after reaching Level 7. To create a Route, you must be Level 30 or higher and use an eligible adult account.
Quick Route Requirements
- Follow a Route: Level 7
- Create a Route: Level 30+
- Child accounts: Cannot create Routes
- Find Routes: Nearby → Routes
- Mateo: Can appear once per day on your first Route
- Mateo’s location: End of the Route
- Route editing after submission: Not available
- Route access restrictions: Not available
Why Can’t I Follow Routes?
You must reach Level 7 before you can follow Routes.
If you use a child account through Niantic Kids or Pokémon Trainer Central, check that Friends and related features are enabled in the Parent Portal.
How Do I Find Nearby Routes?
Open the Nearby menu and select the Routes tab. Approved Routes near you will appear there.
If you don’t see any Routes, move around your local area and check again. You may need to get closer to a Route before it appears.
Why Are There No Routes Near Me?
There may simply be no approved Routes close to your location yet.
New Route submissions still need to go through the approval process. More Routes may become available as new submissions are approved.
Creating Routes
Why Can’t I Create a Route?
Following Routes and creating Routes have different requirements.
You can follow Routes from Level 7, but you must be Level 30 or higher to create a new Route.
Route creation is also unavailable for Trainers using child accounts through Pokémon Trainer Central or Niantic Kids.
Can I Edit or Delete a Route After Submitting It?
No. You cannot edit or delete a Route after submitting it for moderation.
Make sure the Route path, title, description, and other details are correct before you submit it.
How Long Does It Take for My Route to Appear?
Your Route must first pass moderation.
Once it is approved, it should appear in the Nearby menu under the Routes tab.
What Do Other Trainers See About Me?
Your Trainer Nickname can appear on the Route’s detail page.
You can hide your Trainer Name while creating the Route. On the Name your Route page, turn off the Show your Trainer Name option.
Can I Restrict Who Can Use My Route?
No. You cannot restrict access to your Route.
Because other Trainers can interact with it, choose your Route path carefully and avoid including private or sensitive information in the Route details.
Why Was My Route Rejected?
A Route can be rejected during moderation for several reasons.
Common reasons include:
- It passes through a private residence or other sensitive location.
- It passes through a daycare or grade school.
- It includes drinking or other adult establishments.
- It goes through an inaccessible, dangerous, or unsafe area.
- The title or description contains abusive or inappropriate content.
- The title or description includes personally identifiable information.
- The Route includes game cheats or spam.
Choose a safe, accessible path and use appropriate Route details to reduce the chance of rejection.
What Happens If My Route’s Start or End Point Is Removed?
Your Route can automatically change if its start or end point is edited through Niantic Wayfarer.
If a start or end point is removed from the map, your Route will be archived. Trainers currently following it will lose their progress.
Your Route Badge will remain, but you will not be able to replay that Route. Trying to start it again from the Route Badge will result in an error.
Route Gift Exchange
When Does Mateo Appear on a Route?
Mateo can appear once per day on your first Route.
He appears at the end of the Route.
Does Mateo Affect Zygarde Cell Appearances?
No. Mateo and the Route Gift Exchange do not affect Zygarde Cell appearances.
What Rewards Can I Get From Mateo’s Gift Exchange?
A Gift Exchange with Mateo gives you a Postcard.
You can also receive items such as: Poké Balls, Potions, Other items.