Pokémon Go Buddy glitch explained: Fixes and prevention tips for trainers
The Buddy Fatigue Phenomenon
Pokémon Go’s Buddy system, designed to reward active play, occasionally displays unexpected behavior that’s more amusing than problematic. Players have reported instances where their Buddy Pokémon appear to collapse during extended walking sessions, creating humorous but confusing scenarios.
This visual anomaly makes it appear as though Pokémon are protesting against lengthy adventures, with some lying motionless mid-route despite the trainer continuing their journey.
The phenomenon was notably documented by trainer abhijoshi2008, whose Azumarill became unresponsive during what appeared to be an exhausting trek. “Azumarill doesn’t like long walks,” they humorously noted alongside photographic evidence of their collapsed companion.
Gameplay Implications
Despite dramatic appearances, the glitch doesn’t actually interrupt candy accumulation or heart-earning potential. The Buddy system continues operating normally in the background, tracking distance accurately despite the Pokémon’s visible protest.
Seasoned trainers recommend selecting Buddies strategically based on candy needs rather than visual appeal. Pokémon like Magikarp and Wailmer remain popular choices due to their evolution requirements, though their walking distances vary significantly.
New players should note that this visual bug differs from actual fainting in battles – no revives or potions are needed, just patience and possibly a game restart.
Practical Solutions
The simplest solution mirrors standard tech support wisdom: turn it off and on again. As abhijoshi2008 discovered, completely restarting Pokémon Go resolves the visual glitch immediately, with the Buddy returning to normal behavior upon reload.
For trainers experiencing frequent occurrences, consider these preventive measures:
- Ensure your device has adequate memory available before extended play sessions
- Regularly clear the game’s cache through device settings
- Update to the latest version of Pokémon Go
- Avoid switching between multiple apps during Buddy walks
These steps can’t guarantee complete prevention, as the glitch appears randomly, but may reduce frequency.
Advanced Buddy Management
For serious candy farmers, understanding Buddy distance tiers becomes crucial. Pokémon are categorized by how far you must walk to earn candy:
Pokemon Go 1km Buddy list: Which Pokemon find Candy fastest?
Pokemon Go 5km Buddy list: Which Pokemon find Candy slow?
Pokemon Go 20km Buddy list: Which Pokemon find Candy slowest?
Implementing a rotation system based on your daily walking habits can maximize candy output. For example:
- Use 1km Buddies for short daily commutes
- Switch to 5km Buddies for weekend adventures
- Reserve 20km Buddies for dedicated walking sessions
This approach minimizes frustration while ensuring steady progress across multiple species.
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