What is a softban?

Short Answer: A softban temporarily prevents interactions like catching Pokemon when cooldown rules are violated.

A softban is a temporary restriction that prevents you from interacting with the game when you violate cooldown rules.

Softban Effects:

  • Pokemon flee immediately after the first ball
  • Cannot spin Pokestops or Gyms
  • Items won’t be collected
  • Gym battles may be restricted

Common Causes:

  • Teleporting too far too quickly
  • Not waiting proper cooldown time
  • Using multiple devices simultaneously
  • Rapid location changes

Softban Duration:

  • Usually lasts 1-4 hours
  • Can be longer for repeated violations
  • Wait time depends on severity

How to Avoid Softbans:

  • Always respect cooldown times
  • Use cooldown calculators
  • Don’t rush between distant locations
  • Wait before taking any actions after teleporting

Tip: Softbans are Niantic’s way of detecting and deterring spoofing behavior - always play it safe!

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