PGTools Review — Android Bot for Pokémon GO

PGTools is an Android botting suite for Pokémon GO that stands out from many competitors by running on your real, original account rather than a spoofed clone. Distributed via sideloaded APK and requiring root access, it’s built for players who want to automate grinding, catching, egg hatching, and shiny hunting at scale.

What Is PGTools?

PGTools (pgtools.net) is a modular Android bot for Pokémon GO. Its key selling point is that it operates on your actual account — not a throwaway — which its developers market as a safer approach compared to tools that require a fully spoofed alternate account. That said, it still violates Niantic’s Terms of Service and carries real ban risk.

It’s distributed as a sideloaded APK outside the Google Play Store and requires root access on your Android device. Manual updates are required whenever Pokémon GO itself updates.

PGTools Modules & Features

PAC — Auto-Catcher & Farmer

PAC is PGTools’ core automation module for catching Pokémon and spinning PokéStops.

• Spin Mode — option to only spin PokéStops and Gyms for fast item farming
• Catch Mode — three modes: Normal (full encounter), Fast (split-second encounter and exit), and Ultimate Catch (scans and catches in the background)
• Catch Filters — select which Pokémon to catch and which to skip
• Touch N’ Go — returns to the overworld map after a successful catch or PokéStop tap
• Feed Berry Before Catch — automatically feeds a chosen berry before each catch attempt
• Enhanced Catching — options for Excellent Throw, Curveball, and Expert Handler for maximum catch rates
• PokéBall Priority — set the order in which ball types are used
• PokéBall Settings — set minimum and maximum ball quantities to always keep a reserve
• Evolve Before Transfer — automatically evolves Pokémon before transferring
• Keep Filters — customize which Pokémon to keep, including XXS, XS, XL, and XXL sizes
• Transfer Filters — auto-transfer by IV, shiny, hundo, shundo, 0% IV, egg hatches, and quest Pokémon
• Mass Transfer — select and mass transfer any Pokémon in bulk
• Show IV Instead of Name — replaces inventory names with IVs for easier management
• Pokémon Storage Tweaks — mass evolve or purify Pokémon in bulk
• Item Management — maintain preferred item quantities; auto-use Meltan Box, Gimmighoul Coin Bag, Daily Adventure Incense, regular Incense, Star Piece, Lucky Egg, and Lure Modules
• Auto Hatch Eggs — automatically incubates and hatches eggs with configurable incubator selection per egg type
• Buddy Feature — auto-feed and pet buddy; supports Roar of Time skill and mega evolution
• Quest Feature — automatically completes and claims Field and Special Research quest rewards
• Friend Tweaks — one-tap gift sending and receiving; pin/unpin postcards; add stickers to gifts
• Visual Disguiser — removes non-essential map graphics to reduce lag and device heat
• Screen Feature — turns off the display while the app runs in the background to reduce heat and prevent screen burn
• Incognito Name — customize your in-game display name
• Limit Settings — set caps on encounters, catches, and spins
• Import/Export Config — share or back up your settings
• Notifications — live count of Pokémon caught and PokéStops spun

PAS — Shiny & Shundo Sniper

PAS is PGTools’ dedicated shiny-checking and sniping module, designed for players hunting specific high-value Pokémon.

• Set Starting Cooldown — set the date, time, and coordinates of your last catch to manage cooldown correctly
• Pokémon Filters — filter by species, level, specific IVs (hundo or PvP), gender, form, costume, and size
• Exclusion List — exclude Pokémon you don’t want to catch
• Enhanced Catching — Excellent Throw, Curveball, and Expert Handler options
• Feed Berry Before Catch — choose a berry to feed before each attempt
• Unset Buddy — returns buddy to inventory to assist with catching shiny or shundo Zorua
• Preferred PokéBall — choose which ball type to use for catches
• Built-In Location — in-app teleportation; can run without a separate joystick app
• Friend Tweaks — one-tap gifting with postcard and sticker options
• Visual Disguiser — reduces map graphics for lower lag and heat
• Screen Feature — background operation with display off
• Limit Settings — cap encounters and catches
• Import/Export Config — share or back up settings
• Notifications — shows Pokémon checked, caught, and current cooldown wait time

PaH — Egg Hatcher

PaH is PGTools’ dedicated egg hatching module for players focused on egg-exclusive Pokémon and candy farming.

• Auto Hatch Eggs — automatically incubates and hatches eggs with configurable incubator selection per egg type
• Auto Spin — automatically spins a PokéStop when egg space is available
• Auto Open Gift — automatically opens friend gifts to receive 7km eggs
• Transfer Filters — auto-transfer by IV, shiny, hundo, shundo, 0% IV, and egg hatches
• Keep Filters — keep XXS, XS, XL, and XXL Pokémon from being transferred
• Mass Transfer — bulk transfer any Pokémon
• Show IV Instead of Name — replaces inventory names with IVs
• Item Management — maintain preferred item quantities automatically
• Buddy Feature — auto-feed and pet buddy; supports Roar of Time and mega evolution
• Friend Tweaks — one-tap gifting with postcard and sticker options
• Visual Disguiser — reduces map graphics for lower lag and heat
• Screen Feature — background operation with display off
• Incognito Name — customize your in-game display name

What Device Does PGTools Require?

PGTools requires a rooted Android device. It is not compatible with iOS or unrooted Android phones. Root access is necessary for the bot to interact with Pokémon GO at the system level. Because it’s distributed as a sideloaded APK, you’ll also need to enable installation from unknown sources and manually update whenever Pokémon GO releases a new version.

Ban Risk: What You Need to Know

Despite being marketed as safer because it runs on your real account, PGTools still violates Niantic’s Terms of Service. Automated catching, spinning, sniping, and GPS teleporting are all detectable behaviors.

• Auto-catching and auto-spinning are among the most commonly flagged behaviors
• Teleporting to coordinates triggers distance-based soft bans if done too aggressively
• Running on your main account means a ban has direct consequences for your progression
• Manual APK updates create windows where the tool may behave unexpectedly after game updates

Why a Pre-Rooted Pixel Is the Ideal Device for PGTools

• Magisk pre-installed — the root management tool PGTools users rely on
• Ready to sideload — no setup required to enable APK installation
• Magisk module support — use modules to help hide root and mock location from detection
• Clean device state — no carrier bloatware or conflicting software
• Reliable hardware — Google Pixel phones are well-supported by the Android modding community

Browse our pre-rooted Google Pixel phones →