Yes, the Pokemon Go Plus needs to be charged to work, and a dead battery is the most common reason it stops responding

The Pokemon Go Plus is a small wearable device that connects to your phone and catches Pokemon automatically while you play. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that powers the Bluetooth connection and the button presses it sends to your phone. When that battery runs out, the device will not turn on, will not connect to your phone, and will not catch anything — even if your phone has full battery.

The device charges through a micro-USB cable (the same type many older phones used, though newer models use USB-C). You plug the cable into the port on the back of the Plus, connect it to a power adapter or computer, and wait roughly one to two hours for a full charge. A full charge typically lasts three to five days of regular play, depending on how often the device is actively catching Pokemon.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pokemon Go Plus will not work at all without a charged battery — it cannot run on your phone's power.
  • The device charges via micro-USB cable and takes one to two hours to reach full battery from completely dead.
  • A full charge lasts roughly three to five days, but heavy use or cold weather can drain it faster.
  • If your Plus stops responding, charge it for at least 30 minutes before assuming it is broken.
  • The battery degrades over time, so a device that once lasted five days may only last two days after a year or two of regular use.

How to charge your Pokemon Go Plus

Locate the micro-USB port on the back of the device — it is a small rectangular slot. Take the micro-USB cable that came with your Plus (or any standard micro-USB cable) and insert the smaller end into that port. Plug the other end into a power adapter connected to a wall outlet, or plug it into a USB port on your computer.

The device will show a red light while charging. Once the light turns blue or green (depending on your model), the battery is full. This usually takes 60 to 90 minutes from a completely dead state. You do not need to leave it plugged in longer than that — overcharging will not damage the battery, but there is no benefit to it either.

If you do not have the original cable, any micro-USB cable will work. These are inexpensive and widely available at electronics stores, drugstores, or online. Do not use a cable that is visibly damaged or frayed, as it can harm the device or create a safety hazard.

Why your Pokemon Go Plus might not charge

If you plug in your device and the light does not turn on after a few minutes, the problem is usually one of three things: a bad cable, a damaged charging port, or a battery that has failed completely.

Start by trying a different micro-USB cable. Many cables wear out or develop internal breaks that you cannot see from the outside. If a different cable works and the light comes on, your original cable is the problem — replace it and you are done.

If the light still does not appear with a different cable, try cleaning the charging port on the back of the device. Dust, lint, or dried sweat can block the connection. Use a dry cotton swab or a small dry brush to gently clean inside the port. Do not use water or liquids, and do not force anything into the port. After cleaning, wait a minute and try charging again with a cable you know works.

If the device still will not charge after trying a new cable and cleaning the port, the battery itself may have failed or the internal charging circuit may be damaged. At that point, the device cannot be repaired at home and will need to be replaced.

How battery life changes over time

When you first buy a Pokemon Go Plus, a full charge might last four or five days. After six months to a year of regular use, you may notice it only lasts two or three days. This is normal and happens to all rechargeable batteries — they degrade with every charge cycle.

You cannot stop this degradation, but you can slow it down by not leaving the device plugged in constantly and by avoiding extreme temperatures. Do not leave it charging overnight every night, and do not leave it in a hot car or in direct sunlight for hours. These conditions wear out the battery faster.

Eventually — usually after two to three years of regular play — the battery will degrade so much that it barely holds a charge at all. At that point, you will need to replace the device. There is no way to replace just the battery in a Pokemon Go Plus.

What happens when the battery dies during play

If your Pokemon Go Plus battery dies while you are out playing, the device will straightforward stop working. It will not vibrate, will not light up, and will not respond to button presses. Your phone will lose the Bluetooth connection and will show a message that the device is disconnected.

You can still play Pokemon Go on your phone normally — the Plus just will not catch Pokemon for you anymore. Once you get home and charge the device, it will reconnect to your phone and resume working on the next charge cycle.

The Pokemon you would have caught while the device was dead are straightforward lost. There is no way to recover them or get credit for them later. This is why it is worth charging your Plus before a long play session if you know the battery is low.

Tips for keeping your Pokemon Go Plus charged

Charge your device once every three to four days if you play regularly, rather than waiting until it completely dies. This keeps the battery in better condition over time and means you are less likely to run out of power during a play session.

Keep the charging cable in your bag or car if you play Pokemon Go away from home often. A short 30-minute charge at a friend's house or a coffee shop can give you enough battery to finish your session.

If you will not be playing for more than a week, charge the device fully before storing it. Do not store it completely dead — a battery left at zero charge for weeks can fail to hold a charge when you try to use it again.

In cold weather, the battery will drain faster and may not charge as quickly. If you are playing in winter or in very cold conditions, charge your Plus more often and keep it in an inside pocket close to your body when you are not using it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Pokemon Go Plus while it is charging?

No. The device must be unplugged and fully charged before it will connect to your phone and work. You cannot use it while the cable is plugged in.

How do I know if my Pokemon Go Plus is actually charging?

Look for the light on the front of the device. A red light means it is charging. Once the light turns blue or green (depending on your model year), the battery is full. If you see no light at all after plugging it in for a minute, try a different cable or clean the charging port.

What if my Pokemon Go Plus charges but dies after only a few hours?

The battery has likely degraded significantly and is no longer holding a charge properly. This is normal after two to three years of regular use. You will need to replace the device, as the battery cannot be replaced separately.

Is it bad to leave my Pokemon Go Plus plugged in overnight?

It will not damage the device when ready, but doing this regularly will wear out the battery faster over time. Unplug it once it is fully charged to extend the battery's lifespan.

Can I charge my Pokemon Go Plus with a phone charger?

Yes, as long as the charger has a USB port and you use a micro-USB cable. The device does not draw much power, so any standard phone charger will work fine.