How to Use the Poke Radar

Last Updated: June 4, 2022

Hoping to fill out your Pokedex in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl ? A lot of Pokémon in these games are only available if you use the Poke Radar, a very useful device you pick up at the end of the adventure. We've outlined exactly how to use this handy device, so you can catch all of the Pokémon you desire.

1

Complete the Sinnoh Pokedex.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Once you've done this, go talk to Professor Oak in front of Pal Park and he'll give you the Poke Radar.

2

Go into a grassy field.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Use a repel, which will make it so you only encounter the Pokémon found in the shaking grass (granted your first party Pokémon is a higher level than the wild Pokémon in the area). Also, make sure you're not on your bike. Once you have the spot you want, use the radar.

3

Walk over to the shaking grass.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Aim for grass farther away, for more chance at finding the same Pokémon again. Be careful not to go to grass right on the edge however, as this heightens the chance that the radar will not find any more shaking spots. If this happens, just recharge the radar.

4

Recharge the radar if needed.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-4.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This can be helpful if the shaking grass patches are all different to the ones you've seen previous, you're searching for a shiny patch or the radar finds no shaking grass patches ("The grassy patch remained silent..." ). Do this by walking 50 steps, being careful not to run into a shaking patch or let your repel run out.

5

Defeat the Pokémon you meet.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This saves time, meaning you don't have to bother recharging the radar.

6

Persist, persist, persist!

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Don't fret. The Pokémon you can only catch with the Poke Radar are fairly rare. If you meet it once, there's a high likelihood you'll meet the Pokémon more regularly.

7

Head for sparkling grass.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-7.jpg\/aid308875-v4-728px-Use-the-Poke-Radar-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You don't want to miss that opportunity!

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Why won't this work on grass?

Community Answer

Is the grass area too small? Maybe you should find a larger patch of grass, and then try again. If the Poke Radar still doesn't work, maybe it is out of battery. Walk around to charge the battery.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Don't use it in the middle of a field. Be close to a nice long stretch of ground where you can recharge the radar without interruption. This makes life much easier.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Use a Max Repel. Repel sprays prevent wild Pokémon jumping at you on the way to the rustling grass, making it that much easier to maintain a long stretch of battles on one use.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Be very patient; it takes time to get a Shiny or a Poke Radar exclusive.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

You can't use the Pokéwalker while riding your bike.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1

Log in

How to Use the Poke Radar

Steps

Complete the Sinnoh Pokedex.

Go into a grassy field.

Walk over to the shaking grass.

Recharge the radar if needed.

Defeat the Pokémon you meet.

Persist, persist, persist!

Head for sparkling grass.

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories