Pokémon GO Softban & Error 12 in 2025: How to Spoof Safely Without Getting Blocked

Intro

In Pokémon GO, your biggest enemy might not be Team Rocket, but that frustrating red message: “Failed to detect location. (12)” Nothing’s worse than setting up your spoofing app, getting excited to catch some Pokémon, and then… find yourself stuck in place and unable to move. By 2025, Niantic’s anti-cheat system has become tougher than ever, and trying to “travel the world” from your phone feels like walking a tightrope. Fortunately, this guide will show you the latest safe and effective ways to deal with GPS softban and Error 12. You’ll learn how to move freely, catch Pokémon, join raids, and spin PokéStops without risking a ban. Ready to begin? Let’s get into it.

What Is a Pokémon GO Softban?

A Softban is Niantic’s way of temporarily punishing suspicious behavior in Pokémon GO. They won’t lock your account, but will block key game features for a while.

What a Soft Ban Looks Like

• Pokémon keep running away: Every wild Pokémon flees after your first throw.
• PokéStops don’t work: You spin, but get “Try again later” and no items.
• Gyms and raids are locked: You can’t battle or collect rewards.

How Long Does It Last?

Usually between 15 to 60 minutes, but if you go too far, it can last up to 2 hours.

What Is Error 12 in Pokémon GO?

The “Error 12” message usually pops up when Pokémon GO can’t figure out where you are. Sometimes it’s just weak GPS or a flaky internet, but more often it’s because Niantic has flagged your location settings as suspicious. Basically, if the game thinks your phone’s location doesn’t match where you actually are, it’ll block you with the “Failed to Detect Location. (12)” warning, and stop you from doing anything in the game like catching Pokémon or spinning PokéStops.

To fix it, make sure your GPS is stable and double-check any location spoofing tools you’re using. Restart the game afterward and see if things are back to normal.

How to Spoof Pokémon GO Without Getting Softbanned (or Error 12)

To safely use a fake GPS in Pokémon GO without triggering softban or the dreaded “Error 12,” you need to pay attention on two things: picking the right tool and sticking to cooldown rules:

1. Use a Trusted Location Spoofing Tool

• Good community reputation

Stick with tools like AnyTo Pokemon Go Spoofer that get consistently positive feedback in active Pokémon GO communities from Reddit or Discord.

• Full feature set

A good spoofer should support different movement modes like teleport, joystick, and custom routes. It should also let you adjust walking speed and pause time so it looks more like real gameplay.

• Frequent updates

Niantic updates anti-spoofing patches often, sometimes several times a week. Tools that don’t update regularly are more likely to get issues like Error 12 or bans. Make sure you’re using something that keeps up.

• Low error rate

Based on what users report in the community, AnyTo has a lower rate of Error 12, under 0.4%, which is much better than the average of 3–6% you might see with other tools.

2. Follow Cooldown Rules

• Teleporting between cities or countries

After a big jump, always wait for the right cooldown time depending on the distance. Ignoring cooldowns is one of the fastest ways to get softbanned.

• Move like a real person

When using joystick or route mode, keep your speed realistic, around 4 to 8 km/h. Also, take short breaks every few minutes, just like a real player would.

Recommended Cooldown Times:

Common Mistakes That Trigger Softban/Error 12

If you want to spoof safely, here’s what you should avoid:

• Teleporting unrealistically: Jumping from New York to Tokyo within minutes is a major red flag.
• Overfarming: Catching or spinning way too much, like grabbing 3,500 Pokémon in a week and still pushing for more.
• Using shady tools: Running bots, automation scripts, or unverified third-party apps can get you flagged fast.

Proven Solutions to Fix Error 12

If you ever run into the annoying “Failed to detect location. (12)” message in Pokémon GO, don’t stress, it’s a pretty common issue, and most of the time, it’s fixable with a few simple steps. Here’s what you can try:

1. Restart Your Spoofing App and the Game

If you’re using a GPS spoofer, fully close it first. Then restart Pokémon GO and let your phone settle back to your real location for a moment. Also, double-check your device settings to make sure “Allow mock locations” (or the equivalent) is turned off.

2. Switch to High Accuracy Mode

Go to your device’s Location Settings and set it to High Accuracy (or GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile networks). If you’re on iOS, head to System Services and make sure Improve Location Accuracy is turned on.

3. Clear Pokémon GO Cache

On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Pokémon GO > Storage, then tap Clear Cache.

On iOS: You’ll need to either reinstall the app or go to Settings > iPhone Storage > Pokémon GO and delete the app data manually.

4. Recalibrate Your GPS

Open a maps or compass app, stand outside, and slowly spin in a circle a few times (yes, really!). This helps your phone recalibrate and connect to more GPS satellites.

5. Check Your Network Connection

Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if that helps. You can also toggle Airplane Mode on and off for a quick reset. Avoid using VPNs or proxy servers during gameplay, these can confuse the game’s location system.

6. Update or Reinstall the App

Check if there’s a newer version of Pokémon GO in the App Store or Google Play. Updates often include location-related fixes. If you’ve tried everything and still see Error 12, uninstalling and reinstalling the app can sometimes clear out hidden issues.

7. Wait It Out (Cooldown)

If the error was triggered by spoofing or rapid movement, sometimes the only fix is to take a short break. Just leave the app closed for 5 to 30 minutes, and let things cool off. In most cases, that’s all it takes.

Final Note: Most players find the issue resolves within 5 to 10 minutes after following these steps. Once you’re back in, you can get right back to catching, raiding, and spinning, like nothing ever happened!

Conclusion

GPS spoofing still opens up a fun way for Pokemon Go Players to explore new places and catch rare Pokémon, without leaving home. But to keep things safe and ban-free, it’s very important to use a trusted tool and stick to cooldown rules. If you avoid overdoing the teleporting and keep your movement patterns realistic, your chances of getting flagged stay pretty low. Follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll be able to travel the Pokémon world freely without having to worry about softban or Error 12 getting in the way.