Pokémon GO Plus+: Features, Battery Life, and Apps (2023)
By Dexhaul Team · October 15, 2026 · 6 min read
The Pokémon GO Plus+ does two separate jobs in one device.
Released globally in 2023 at a $49.99 MSRP, the GO Plus+ connects via Bluetooth to auto-catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops in Pokémon GO, then switches to tracking sleep patterns for Pokémon Sleep. It cannot run both apps at the same time. The device connects to whichever app you choose, and you switch manually in the app settings.
Battery life is where most buyers are surprised. The built-in rechargeable battery handles a full day of active Pokémon GO play.
Switch to Sleep mode and the device runs substantially longer between charges, because passive sleep monitoring draws far less power than constant GO polling. Knowing this upfront means you will almost never run the battery flat if you primarily use Sleep.
On this page 6 sections
What each mode does
The GO Plus+ handles two distinct tasks, one for each app it supports. The table below covers what each mode does and how it connects, based on Serebii's Pokémon Sleep guide and the original GO Plus Bluetooth requirements.
| Mode | App | What it handles | Connection type | Battery profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon GO | Pokémon GO | Auto-catch Pokémon, auto-spin PokéStops, vibration and LED alerts | Active Bluetooth polling | Full day of active play |
| Sleep tracking | Pokémon Sleep | Detects sleep duration and sleep patterns, syncs to app on wake | Passive sensor monitoring | Substantially longer; recharge far less often |
| Pokémon GO Plus (2016) | Pokémon GO only | Auto-catch, auto-spin PokéStops | Bluetooth Low Energy (4.0+) | Replaceable CR2032 coin cell |
The original GO Plus (2016) required a replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery. The "+" model ships with a built-in rechargeable battery instead. You recharge it via a dedicated cradle rather than swapping the cell yourself.
That is the single biggest practical difference between the two generations.
Choose by how you play
The right use case determines how much value you get from the GO Plus+. See our full version guide for every GO Plus+ and Poké Ball Plus option if you want a side-by-side device comparison first.
If you mainly play Pokémon GO
The GO Plus+ is the only current official Bluetooth accessory that handles auto-catching and PokéStop spins without keeping your screen on. It vibrates once near a PokéStop and buzzes differently when a Pokémon appears. Press the button to catch or spin, no need to open the app.
This is the core use case it was built for. If you commute, walk, or run with the game running in the background, the device keeps spinning stops and throwing balls without draining your phone screen.
If you mainly use Pokémon Sleep
Pokémon Sleep uses the GO Plus+ to detect your sleep duration and patterns. Per Serebii's documentation, it "detects the player's sleep patterns and uses them for the game" when connected in Sleep mode. You wake up, open the app, and your overnight data syncs automatically.
Sleep-focused users typically recharge the device much less often than GO-focused users, because the passive overnight sensor draws a fraction of the power compared to active daytime Bluetooth polling. This is the battery gap that product listings rarely spell out clearly.
If you use both apps
You cannot run GO and Sleep simultaneously. The device holds one active Bluetooth connection at a time.
Practically: connect to Pokémon GO during the day, then switch to Pokémon Sleep before bed by pairing it in the Sleep app settings each night. It takes about 30 seconds.
Nintendo Pokemon GO Plus + Bluetooth Accessory Pokemon GO Sleep NEW SEALED
$87.95 USD
Setup: what to do before your first session
The GO Plus+ pairs separately in each app. A few things trip up first-time users.
Pairing in Pokémon GO
Open Pokémon GO, go to Settings, then "Pokémon GO Plus." Hold the button on the device until it vibrates, then tap it in the app to confirm pairing. The device connects automatically when GO is running in the future.
Pairing in Pokémon Sleep
Pokémon Sleep has its own pairing screen in Settings. The process mirrors GO: press the device button, confirm in-app. The Sleep app will prompt you to place the device face-down near where you sleep, and it begins monitoring when you start a sleep session in the app.
If you already own the original Pokémon GO Plus
The original GO Plus and the + model use separate device profiles in the GO app. If you have both, you must unpair the older device before the + model can connect. Go to Settings, remove the original pairing, then add the + model.
Battery and charging
The built-in battery charges via the included cradle, not a swappable cell.
In GO mode, the device is doing active work: checking for nearby Pokémon every few seconds and firing Bluetooth alerts to your phone. That constant polling draws power.
Sleep mode is the opposite: the device sits still and runs its motion sensor passively overnight. The battery sees far lighter use.
Most buyers read "battery life" on a listing and assume one number covers both uses. It does not: GO-focused players recharge regularly. Sleep-focused players may go several days between charges.
As a holiday gift for Pokémon GO players
The GO Plus+ is one of the few officially licensed Pokémon accessories that fits a general gift brief: it is compact, ships in retail packaging, and has an obvious use for anyone who plays Pokémon GO or Pokémon Sleep regularly. At a $49.99 MSRP it sits in a comfortable mid-range gift slot.
Independent shops on DexHaul stock it at observed prices from $87.95 to $169.90 (observed October 15, 2026), with the variance driven by region and import origin. For more Pokémon gaming accessories in one place, browse our 2026 holiday gift guide covering a wider range of price points and recipients.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Pokémon GO Plus+ work without opening the Pokémon GO app?
Yes, once paired the device auto-connects whenever Pokémon GO is running in the background. You do not need to keep the app on screen.
Can I use the GO Plus+ with Pokémon Sleep and Pokémon GO at the same time?
No. The device holds one active Bluetooth connection at a time. You pair it to whichever app you want to use, then switch manually in the other app's settings when needed.
What phones work with the Pokémon GO Plus+?
It requires a compatible iOS or Android smartphone with Bluetooth support. The original GO Plus required Bluetooth 4.0 or higher; the + model uses the same Bluetooth Low Energy standard.
What does the GO Plus+ charge with?
A dedicated charging cradle is included in the box. The device slots into the cradle; there is no coin-cell battery to replace.
Is the Pokémon GO Plus+ the same as the Poké Ball Plus?
No. The Poké Ball Plus is a separate accessory for Pokémon GO and Nintendo Switch games, with no Pokémon Sleep support. The GO Plus+ is the only current official device that covers both GO and Sleep.
Independent shops on DexHaul carry the Pokémon GO Plus+ across multiple regions. Browse the full range on the console accessories collection page to compare prices and sellers from independent stores.
Catch 'em all
More Pokémon GO Plus+ and console accessories from independent shops on DexHaul.