Looking to get in on the fun? Here’s a quick guide to download the game taking the world by storm – Pokemon Go – on both iOS and Android in South Africa!
If you haven’t heard of Pokemon Go by now, you’re likely living under a rock. The augmented reality game – which couples together real-world locations and the eponymous fictional creatures – has undoubtedly taken the globe by storm.
Unfortunately, living in South Africa – despite its opportunities – means certain caveats; and one of them is the fact that Pokemon Go isn’t yet officially available within the country.
Read: Pokémon Go goes live in the US, Australia and New Zealand
Fortunately, you needn’t be at the mercy of patience, as there are avenues to get the game without waiting for Niantec’s approval to bring the title to South Africa.
We have two working options to get Pokemon Go aboard your iOS or Android device. Before we proceed, it’s worthwhile to mention that while the methods of downloading the game we suggest might skirt Google and Apple’s preferred method of app delivery, they don’t break the law, nor do they require a rooted or jailbroken Android or iOS device respectively. Further, your device warranty will remain intact.
Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
iOS
Requirements: iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone with iOS 7 and above
Tested on: Apple iPhone 6S
Apple’s South African app store has a great many apps, but there are those it lacks. Fortunately, there’s an entirely legal way to download apps from another reason which uses a workaround to circumvent Apple’s territorial restrictions.
This method relies on enterprise and developer settings to activate a self-installed app that’s been brought aboard independently of the iOS App Store.
To begin, on your iOS Device:
- Download Pokemon Go here; Click Yes if asked whether you wish to install the app.
- Once the app is downloaded, it’ll appear like any other on your home screen. However, if you try to open it, it will inform you that it is untrusted and cannot be opened.
- Head to Settings – General – Device Management (this might be listed as Profiles, or Device and Profile Management on your device)
- Click on Yestech Technology Joint StocK Company underneath “Enterprise Apps”
- Click “Yestech Technology Joint StocK Company”
- Underneath Pokemon Go, click on Verify App.
- Should the app fail to verify, don’t panic. Proceed with the following:
- Head back to your home screen. If the app opens, congratulations! You’ve got a working copy of Pokemon Go.
- If it doesn’t, and proceeds to alert you that the app is still untrusted, hold down on the app until it enters the trademark Apple jiggle. Press on the home button to relieve the jiggle (do not delete the app)
- Try again – Pokemon Go should launch and become playable! Have fun!
Android
Requirements: Android 4.4 KikKat and above, a non-Intel CPU
Tested on: Xiaomi Mi 5
Google exercises a tight reign within the Google Play Store, though thankfully Android remains an open field where territorial restrictions don’t always apply.
For this method, we’re going to practise what’s known as side-loading – installing a third party Android app outside of the Play Store. The app will function normally once installed and will work with a Google account as well as native Android device settings and permissions.
To begin, on your Android Device:
- Visit the Settings Menu your device and enable Installations from Unknown Sources. Where this setting is depends on the brand of smartphone you own; try Googling to find the setting if you’re having difficulty, and resume back here.
- Next up, on your device, proceed to download Pokemon Go here. Take note of the folder it downloads to.
- Once the app downloads, you may be prompted to install it. If that’s not the case, open the APK file in the folder it downloaded in and allow it to install.
- Once the app has installed, you’ll be able to use it as a fully fledged app. If you own a device running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, you’ll be able to toggle individual privacy settings.
- Play Pokemon Go to your heart’s content. Have fun!
There you have it!
Congratulations! If you’ve followed the above steps, you should have a working copy of Pokemon Go. Enjoy the game, stay safe, and let us know what Pokemon you’ve managed to capture during your travels around South Africa.
If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments below. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that the links we’ve provided will remain active forever; Niantec could proceed to block both vendors in an effort to ensure its slow rollout.
Should that happen, we’ll endeavour to update this article once we find a reputable source. If you’d like to list a source for inclusion in this article, be sure to drop us a line below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
