iospokemon-go
I travel for China now and don't have any local SIM. I have my Japanese carrier's SIM put in my iPhone but set data roaming off. I use Wi-Fi in hotel.
However, I can use GPS while traveling around in my iPhone. In this case, can I play Pokemon Go while traveling? Or is mobile data required to play the game?
While I travel for China right now, I want to make the post more general. So please consider another country such as Australia, if China doesn't fit the question.
UPDATE
I've been monitoring the data used of Pokemon Go to further test how much data is actually being used. Between the release and as today, Pokemon Go has accumulated 65.43MB worth of data. Roughly 90% of that was used while using 3G rather than connected to Wi-Fi. Most of the time I was in a sedentary environment hoping Pokemon would come my way, but I was also out-and-about a good bit of the time.
I have reviewed a few different sources and they all say Pokemon Go will use a good amount of data.
10 Best Ways to Reduce Data Usage
Pokemon Go will require a Strong Wi-Fi or network connection to play. Unless you have an Unlimited Data Plan or expect to play only in areas where Wi-Fi is available, you will need a Data Plan to play Pokemon Go. Your phone will also need to meet certain requirements.
Pokemon Go can average anywhere from 2MB - 8MB+ of data per hour, dependent on a variety of gameplay factors (Eg. Battling, Capturing, Walking).
Based on this information, if half of a 2GB data plan is allocated to playing Pokemon Go, users can reasonably expect to play four to six hours per day without an any issue. If Pokemon Go is played for more than six hours per day, an upgraded data plan may be needed
Best Ways to Reduce Data Usage
The main purpose of this article is to enable users to enjoy Pokemon Go without having to constantly monitor Data usage. Every Pokemon Go Trainer should be able to travel the world freely without fear of exceeding data limits. Fortunately, there are many ways Data usage can be reduced or limited.
- Download Applications and Updates only Using Wi-Fi
- Play Only in Areas where Wi-Fi is Available
- Set a Data Limit
- Browse Mobile Versions of Sites
- Chrome Data Saver
- Limit/Remove High Data Consuming Apps
- Restrict Background Data
- Avoid Streaming Videos, Music, Media
- Avoid Downloading of Media w/ Data
- Turn off Mobile Data
Other Sources
Yes, Pokemon GO Uses a Lot of Data and Battery
Your biggest Pokémon Go questions, answered
Spending a day on 'Pokémon Go' is not good for your phone's battery life
So long as you are able to receive Mobile/Cellular Network Data and GPS, you should be able to wander around collecting Pokemon perfectly fine.
Also, depending on your village, there may be one or more of:
You may be able to check this without downloading the game by using an Ingress Intel/Portal checker (as Pokemon Go is based on the same locations), however note that currently not all Ingress portals are Pokemon Go spots.
Best Answer
You will need a connection to the internet in order to play Pokemon Go.
This need not necessarily be mobile data, you can play on wi-fi, but since wi-fi is limited range, it's unlikely you will be able to play very well.
Many places have public wi-fi, I'm sure that some of these places would have a Pokestop nearby. In this case you could collect from the Pokestop as well as place lures on it in order to catch Pokemon.