How do Power Up Pokestops Work in Pokemon Go?

December seems to be quite the eventful month for Pokemon Go fans—literally. The game is currently running the Dragonspiral Descent event, preceding December’s Community Day that is slated for the 18th and 19th of December, which will let players have another go at catching all of the featured Pokemon from 2020 and 2021.

Along with these exciting events, Niantic has released an entirely new mechanic for Pokemon GO, called Powered Up PokeStops.

What are Powered Up PokeStops?

Pokemon Go has implemented a new feature that lets players that are level 20 and above power up PokeStops and gyms simply by scanning them.

Once a PokeStop has been powered up, all of the players who spin its Photo Disc receive additional items, with no level requirement. The PokeStop’s level slowly increases as more players scan it, which then increases the duration that it remains powered up as well as the number of rewards it dispenses.

How to Scan a PokeStop in Pokemon GO

Below is the step-by-step method to perform an AR scan of a PokeStop:

1. Visit the details page of the PokeStop or Gym.
2. Tap the 3 dots in the upper-right corner.
3. Tap “Scan PokeStop.”
4. If it’s your first time recording a scan, you will need to use the feature via on-screen prompts.
5. Tap on the record button to start scanning.
6. Have the object within the frame while also gently walking around the object if possible.
7. Tap Upload Later, or Upload Now.

While any player can obtain the rewards from a powered-up PokeStop, only players who are Level 20 or higher can actually complete the scans. Each PokeStop has 3 levels, more scans leading to higher levels, and better rewards for trainers visiting the PokeStop.