Pokemon Go update: All the latest changes you need to know – from customised avatars to safety warnings

Adjustments to battle move damage values, footstep indicators and scan radius are among the tweaks

An update has been released to hit augmented reality game Pokémon Go, leaving some users unsure as to whether the changes will help in their quest to catch ‘em all.

The immediate reception to the 0.31.0 update on iOS and Android was one of shock, as a number of Pokémon hunters found their progress had been reset to Level 1.

On top of that glitch, the game’s latest software tweak features a number of changes worth noting:

Footstep indicators:

In the app’s biggest modification, Niantic, the app’s developers, has decided to solve its faulty footstep tracker – which enabled users to identify nearby Pokémon by the number of paw prints next to their name – by scrapping it altogether.

This means users no longer know how far away a Pokémon is, but only that it is in the area.

This change has also affected the grid layout showing Pokémon nearby. Pokémon now appear on the 3x3 grid in a random order, rather than from closest to furthest.

Personalisation:

Catchers can now re-customise their avatars in the Trainer profile screen.

Users can also “favourite” Pokémon, which locks them and means they cannot be transferred accidentally.

Battling:

Pokémon battling may yield different outcomes than expected as the "battle move damage values" for some Pokémon have been adjusted.

Scanning:

The scan radius has been decreased from around 100 meters to 70 meters. This means users will have to get closer to a Pokémon in order for it to pop up on screen.

The distance at which you can actually catch Pokémon once they have spawned has, however, been significantly increased to around 300 meters.

Appearance:

The in-app font has been made bolder and certain medals, such as “Breeder” and “Jogger”, have been redesigned.

When opening the app, new safety messages also appear warning users:

• “Do not trespass while playing Pokémon Go” 
• “Don’t drive while playing Pokémon Go” 
• “Do not enter dangerous areas while playing Pokémon Go”