Pokémon Go drops support for Samsung Galaxy A13 and many older Android devices

Pokémon GO has officially ended support for all 32-bit Android devices, leaving users of newer phones like the Samsung Galaxy A13 unable to play the game. The change has caused widespread frustration among players who now find themselves locked out of the game they’ve invested years in.

Players with unsupported devices will now see a prompt forcing them to install the latest update. However, they won’t actually be able to download this new update.

Released in March 2022, the Samsung Galaxy A13 has emerged as one of the most affected devices in this update. Despite being a relatively new phone, the A13 runs on a 32-bit Android operating system, making it incompatible with the game’s new requirements. The irony isn’t lost on players who discover their phones are now too “old” for Pokémon GO, even though many purchased them just two years ago.

For whatever weird reason, Samsung decided to install a 32-bit Android system on the phone that actually has a 64-bit capable processor. This means the phone’s hardware could theoretically run the game, but the operating system prevents it.

Reddit user Plus-Commander discovered the issue when trying to update the game, posting a screenshot showing the dreaded message: “This app isn’t compatible with your device anymore.” Their post quickly gained over 1,200 upvotes as other A13 users shared similar experiences.

Another frustrated player expressed their panic about missing upcoming events:

I need a new one by tomorrow, but what if I can’t? It’s expensive, and while it’s def worth it, I’m just so worried… I need a new one for my early morning walk to work on sunday, too, or I’m not gonna be able to emotionally function.

The situation has created a particularly bitter pill for Samsung customers. While older phones like the 2019 Samsung Galaxy S9+ continue to work with Pokémon GO thanks to their 64-bit systems, newer budget phones like the A13 are now incompatible. Users pointed out that even seven-year-old Sony phones from 2018 still run the game without issues.

Niantic’s official support page lists several affected devices, including various Samsung Galaxy models, Sony Xperia phones, and Motorola devices. The company states that most phones manufactured before 2015 are 32-bit, though the A13 proves this timeline doesn’t tell the whole story. P.S. Here’s a screenshot of the official post for reference:

The company defended the decision by explaining that removing 32-bit support allows them to “streamline our development process and focus resources on supporting newer operating systems and technologies.” They noted that the vast majority of Android users have already migrated to 64-bit devices. That said, the official list of supported devices hasn’t yet been updated with any information about the game only supporting 64-bit devices yet.

For affected players, the only solution is purchasing a new phone. Niantic recommends saving account login information before switching devices. Some users have suggested looking into older flagship models or considering budget phones from other manufacturers, as most companies stopped using 32-bit systems years ago.

Players now face the frustrating choice of either upgrading their phones or losing access to a game they’ve spent years playing. Feel free to share your thoughts on this decision by Niantic in the comments section below.