Like in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Star Sapphire, the newest Pokémon game has a QR Scanner. QR codes are black and white boxes that can be recognized by the 3DS camera in all sorts of different ways. In Sun and Moon, QR codes fill a different role, allowing players to scan other players’ Pokedex entries and register them in their own devices. It’s a neat mechanic, but there’s a lot more to the QR Scanner than just registering Pokémon.
Here’s exactly how to use the QR Scanner and get yourself some rare Pokémon along the way.
The QR Scanner is located in the menu on the second screen. When you click the button, the 3DS outer camera starts up. If a QR code is in front of the screen, press down R inside the dotted line. The game will then register that Pokémon and will allow you to search all of Alola’s map for one of your own.
If you don’t have a friend with a full Pokedex, but still want to have a complete Pokedex, all of the QR Codes have already been uploaded to Imgur. Each Pokémon, including their shiny and Mega forms, can be registered separately, which is important for the next step.
When you scan 10 different QR codes, equal to 100 points,the Island Scanner turns on. For one hour, a rare Pokémon that can’t normally be caught in Alola shows up; anything from Duosion to Roselia. The page tells you where it’s located and exactly how much time you have left. You only have one chance to catch this Pokémon, so don’t kill it by accident.
When your QR Scanner is empty, you have to wait two hours for another scan to use. Now you need to collect another 100 points to use it again, which will take at least 20 hours. The scanner can’t be abused, which keeps most people from just farming the Island Scanner constantly for rare Pokémon.
Here's the full list of what Pokemon pops up on which island, including what day of the week.
Melemele Island:
Monday: Totodile in Seaward Cave
Tuesday: Deino in Ten Carat Hill
Wednesday: Horsea in Kala'e Bay
Thursday: Klink in Hau'oli City
Friday: Chikorita in Route 2
Saturday: Litwick in Hau'oli Cemetery
Sunday: Cyndaquil in Route 3
Akala Island:
Monday: Spheal in Route 7
Tuesday: Luxio in Route 8
Wednesday: Honedge in Akala Outskirts
Thursday: Venipede in Route 4
Friday: Bellsprout in Route 5
Saturday: Marill in Brooklet Hill
Sunday: Gothita in Route 6
Ula'ula Island:
Monday: Swinub in Tapu Village
Tuesday: Duosion in Route 16
Wednesday: Roselia in Ula'ula Meadow
Thursday: Staravia in Route 10
Friday: Vigoroth in Route 11
Saturday: Axew in Mount Hokulani
Sunday: Rhyhorn in Blush Mountain
Poni Island
Monday: Conkeldurr in Poni Plains
Tuesday: Togekiss in Poni Gauntlet
Wednesday: Leavanny in Poni Meadow
Thursday: Serperior in Exeggutor Island
Friday: Samurott in Poni Wilds
Saturday: Emboar in Ancient Poni Path
Sunday: Elektross in Poni Grove
The QR Scanner and Island Scanner might not be the flashiest additions to the Pokémon franchise, but they are really important. Try to get something rarer than your friends and build the coolest Pokémon team imaginable.
But wait, there’s more! Check out our full list of Pokémon Sun And Moon Guides below:
How To Catch Every Legendary In Alola
Munchlax Distribution: How To Download Special Snorlax With Z-Crystal
Ash-Greninja Transfer: How To Bring Special Pokémon Over From Demo
Z-Crystal Locations: Where To Find What You Need To Unleash Unstoppable Attacks
Ability List: Every New Skill In The Game
Attacks List: Every New Move And Who Can Learn Them
Mega Stone List And Locations: When Can You Get Mega Evolution In Alola?
EV Training Guide: Ally Chaining And Hyper Training Explained
Breeding Guide: Everything You Need To Customize Your Perfect Pokémon
TM Locations: Every Move And Where To Find Them In Alola
Affection Guide: How To Raise Affection And Boost XP Gain With Pokémon Refresh
Ultra Beasts: Everything You Need To Know
Battle Tree: Rules, Scouting And Everything You Need To Know
Zygarde Cell Locations: How They Work And Where To Find Them
