The Explorer Gadget, a new key item, has begun to roll out globally in Pokémon Go. This nifty tool will help you catch Pokémon and spin PokéStops when you're not necessarily playing, though it has some quirks.

Note that as of writing this, this version of the Explorer Gadget seems to be in testing mode. Some players are experiencing slightly different versions of the gadget, so the functionality of this item will likely change in some way in the future.

Below we explain everything we know about the Explorer Gadget in Pokémon Go, as of its global testing release.

What does the Explorer Gadget do in Pokémon Go?

The Explorer Gadget is a digital version of the accessory devices that auto-catch Pokémon and auto-spin PokéStops for you (like the Pokémon Go Plus+ or the Poké Ball Plus).

There are a few key differences from the physical auto-catchers, based on our testing:

•                                 **There is a daily limit to how many Pokémon you can catch and how many stops you can spin**(that seems to be varying for testing, according to some players).
  

•                                 You seemingly need to **close the game**for it to work. There seems to be debate about if it works in the background or if you need to fully close the game. (On our iPhone, it worked in the background without fully force closing the app).
  

•                                 The Explorer Gadget **only uses Poké Balls**(unlike the Go Plus+, which can use other balls).
  

•                                 You **don't get notifications**when catching or spinning with the gadget the way you would with a physical device.
  

Simply turn on the item, minimize your app, and let it rip. You can check back in on the game and tap the Explorer Gadget icon on the right side, in the same column that displays your Lucky Eggs and other buffs, to see what you've caught and how close you are to the limit. You can also pause your gadget if you want it to stop catching and spinning.

Just like the physical auto-catchers, your gadget can fail to catch a Pokémon. You can see failed catches by opening your character menu and tapping "journal," which will give you a history of what you've caught, spun, or failed to catch recently.

You cannot have both a physical catcher and the Explorer Gadget active at the same time. You'll need to reconnect any physical accessories you have once you're done with the Explorer Gadet from the respective menu. You can get there by doing the following:

• Open your settings (the gear in the top right of the screen on the menu).
• Select "Connected Devices and Services."
• Select "Accessory Devices."
• Tap your device to reconnect it.

We don't know when the Explorer Gadget is going to properly be fully revealed. Despite the seemingly global launch, it still seems like it's in testing, and Scopely Explore has yet to make any formal announcements about it. We'll update this guide as more information becomes available.