Pokémon Go developer tests big changes to tracking with ‘Nearby’ and ‘Sightings’

I know. You hate Pokémon Go’s broken tracker, but it looks like the developer has some crucial changes coming soon.

Developer Niantic is sending out updates to Pokémon Go for certain players that changes the way the “Nearby” and “Sightings” feature works. This follows a recent patch that went out to everyone to fix bugs. The Google Maps-powered app has people catching virtual creatures in the real world using the GPS in most iOS and Android smartphones, but plenty of players have grown frustrated with Go’s issued-plagued tracking system that makes it a pain to plan routes and find certain creatures. But the new system will change that by showing you exactly which “Nearby” PokéStops have pocket monsters within their immediate vicinity. This will complement a “Sightings” tracker that will show you critters that are roaming outside the range of a PokéStop. These revisions are exciting for the top-grossing game in the $36.9 billion mobile gaming industry because it looks like it could help players better plan their paths instead of wandering aimlessly.

We’ve asked Niantic for details about this new tracker and when you can expect it. We’ll update this post with any new information.

User Will650 on Reddit posted some images of the new tracker and explained how it works. If you see a Pokémon on the Nearby tab, you can click on them and the game will pan out on the map to show you the correct Stop. It will then put a three-footprint waypoint over that PokéStop so you can head right for it. Previously, the tracker provided such a small amount of information that you could not reliably head out in any direction with the purpose of catching a specific monster that the game claimed was “nearby.”

Another player has shared an example of the tracker in action on YouTube, and you can check that out here: