Pokémon Go bans cheaters amid exploit chaos

The potential risks of using a popular Pokémon Go exploit have sparked controversy within the community, intensified by an ominous warning purportedly from the game's developers.

The Controversial Warning

According to the warning, Pokémon Go's developers are aware of an exploit that allows players to interact with in-game locations beyond their normal reach—a violation of the game’s Terms of Service. Continued use reportedly triggers detection by anti-cheat systems, potentially leading to penalties, including permanent bans.

This claim has divided players: some argue the exploit merely leverages an unintentional game quirk, unlike outright cheating such as GPS spoofing or third-party hacks. Others question the message's legitimacy, as it surfaced through a Community Ambassador rather than an official statement.

How the Exploit Works

The glitch, colloquially called "flying" or "tricking," lets players join raid lobbies slightly beyond their usual interaction radius—without a Remote Raid Pass. Many see this as a harmless convenience, enabling more raid participation without breaking the game's core mechanics.

But technically, the Terms of Service define cheating broadly, including "techniques to alter or falsify a device’s location." While not as severe as spoofing, the exploit could fall under this umbrella—just like multi-accounting, which remains unofficially tolerated despite also violating the TOS.

Niantic’s Stance (Or Lack Thereof)

When asked about the warning, Niantic directed inquiries back to its TOS without clarifying enforcement intent. This leaves players in limbo: Will using the exploit suddenly trigger bans? Or will it persist like other gray-area behaviors until patched?

Given Niantic’s history of targeting only the most disruptive cheats—and the exploit’s minor impact—wholesale punishment seems improbable. But without explicit guidance, frustration grows over mixed signals and unclear risks.

Until Niantic issues a formal stance or patches the exploit, players remain caught between convenience and caution, debating whether a tweak to raid accessibility warrants the "cheating" label—and its consequences.