Get ready, Trainers! On April 1, 2025, Pokémon GO flips the script with its one-day-only April Fools’ event, “What’s That Poké Ball?”-where mysterious Poké Balls litter the map and tapping them reveals surprise encounters with Pokémon that cleverly disguise themselves as Poké Balls, including Voltorb, Electrode, and their Hisuian forms. Plus, don’t miss the April 1 Spotlight Hour at 6 p.m. local time, featuring increased Poké Ball spawns and a 2× Catch Candy bonus to power up your catches.
Below, we explain the tiny Pokémon Go April Fools’ 2025 event and what Pokémon you can run into – including what to expect during the secretive Spotlight Hour.
Update (April 1): Now some regions have experienced the April 1 Spotlight Hour, we have details of what to expect. Read the final section of this guide for details if you don’t mind them spoiled!
What Pokémon are spawning for April Fools’ 2025?
For April Fools’ Day 2025, Pokémon Go is hosting the “What’s That Poké Ball?” event, where players will see Poké Balls scattered on the map throughout April 1st. Tapping these Poké Balls can either yield Poké items or trigger encounters with Pokémon that resemble Poké Balls. The featured Pokémon include Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb, Electrode, Hisuian Electrode, Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk. Notably, shiny variants of Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb, Foongus, and Galarian Stunfisk are available during the event, making it a prime opportunity for shiny hunting. The event runs from midnight to 11:59 p.m. local time on April 1, 2025.
In addition to regular Pokémon spawns on the map, you may find Poké Balls. Tapping the Poké Ball may yield actual Poké Ball items (including Great and Ultra Balls) or one of the Poké Ball-imitation Pokémon:
- Voltorb
- Hisuian Voltorb
- Electrode
- Hisuian Electrode
- Foongus
- Amoonguss
- Galarian Stunfisk
(If you’re asking why Galarian Stunfisk, it’s because its beak looks like a Poké Ball – and the body closes like a bear trap when you go in to grab it. Ouchie!)
Notably Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb, Foongus, and Galarian Stunfisk can be encountered shiny in the wild, so while shiny rates don’t seem to be higher, it may be a good time to try to shiny hunt them while the spawns are high.
That’s pretty much all there is to it. Pick up balls, and encounter ball-like critters.
What is the Spotlight Hour for April 1?
On April 1, 2025, Pokémon Go’s Spotlight Hour takes on a special April Fools’ Day twist. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, the event features Poké Balls scattered across the map, but these aren’t ordinary items-interacting with them can reveal Pokémon that resemble Poké Balls, such as Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb, Electrode, Hisuian Electrode, Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk. During this hour, players can also enjoy a 2× Catch Candy bonus, making it a great opportunity to stock up on candy while hunting for these tricky, ball-shaped Pokémon. Some of these Pokémon, including Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb, Foongus, and Galarian Stunfisk, can even be found in their shiny forms. This Spotlight Hour is part of the larger “What’s That Poké Ball?” event, running all day on April 1, but the themed spawns and bonus are exclusive to the 6:00-7:00 p.m. window.
The Spotlight Hour for April 1 is. more Poké Ball spawns on the map. Essentially, it’s doubling down on the list above, alongside the addition of a 2x catch bonus. (Thanks ThisNico on The Silph Road reddit for confirming this.)
What surprises await when Poké Balls disguise Pokémon during the event
During Pokémon GO’s April Fools’ Day 2025 event, “What’s That Poké Ball?”, the map will be cluttered with mysterious Poké Balls that, when tapped, reveal surprise encounters with Pokémon cleverly disguised as Poké Balls. These include classic tricksters like Voltorb and Electrode, their Hisuian forms, as well as Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk. This playful twist brings a nostalgic nod to the original games where certain Pokémon mimicked Poké Balls to deceive trainers, turning the event into a fun challenge of spotting which Poké Balls are real and which hide Pokémon ready to be caught.
What hidden Pokémon are most likely to surprise me under Poké Ball disguises
The hidden Pokémon most likely to surprise you under Poké Ball disguises during the Pokémon GO April Fools’ Day 2025 event include Voltorb and Electrode, along with their Hisuian forms, as well as Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk. These Pokémon are known for their natural resemblance to Poké Balls or their playful mimicry, making them perfect for the event’s theme of disguised encounters.
