A lot of Pokémon GO players go looking for an auto-catcher that throws Great and Ultra Balls, hoping to land more rare spawns hands-free. Here is the honest answer up front: no auto-catcher automatically throws Great or Ultra Balls. Every device auto-throws regular Poké Balls only. The one device that can use higher-tier balls at all is the official Pokémon GO Plus +, and even then it requires a manual button press. This guide explains why, what the workarounds are, and how to get the most rares out of an auto-catcher anyway.
Key Takeaways
- The direct answer: no auto-catcher auto-throws Great or Ultra Balls. They all auto-throw regular Poké Balls only.
- The one exception: the Pokémon GO Plus + can use Great and Ultra Balls, but only with a manual button press, not automatically.
- Why: the Bluetooth catching system Niantic built only sends a basic Poké Ball throw, with no berries or throw bonuses.
- Avoid: modified Plus + units sold for $80 to $120 that claim to auto-throw Ultra Balls void your warranty and are not supported.
- Best approach: let an auto-catcher farm commons, then catch rares yourself with better balls and berries.
Do Any Auto-Catchers Throw Great or Ultra Balls?
No. Across every popular auto-catcher, the MEGACOM DuoMon 3, the Go-tcha Evolve, the Brook Pocket Auto Catch, and the official Pokémon GO Plus +, the automatic throw is always a single regular Poké Ball. None of them auto-throw Great or Ultra Balls. If a listing claims otherwise about hands-free higher-tier balls, treat it with suspicion.
Why They Only Throw Poké Balls
This is a limitation of the system Niantic built, not the devices. The Bluetooth catching protocol sends a single, basic catch attempt: one regular Poké Ball, no berry, no curveball, and no Nice, Great, or Excellent bonus. If the Pokémon breaks free, it flees immediately. Because every device, official or third-party, uses that same protocol, none of them can change the ball type on an automatic throw. In practice this means commons are caught roughly 50 to 70 percent of the time and rare or high-level spawns often slip away.
The Pokémon GO Plus + Exception
The official Pokémon GO Plus + is the only device that can use Great or Ultra Balls at all. You configure it to use higher-tier balls, and then a button press throws one, which is handy when a Pokémon resists the automatic Poké Ball. The key point is that this is manual: the automatic, hands-off throw still uses a regular Poké Ball. So the Plus + gives you the option of a better ball on demand, not an unattended one.
A Word on Modified Units
You may find modified Pokémon GO Plus + units on eBay and Etsy for $80 to $120 that advertise auto-throwing Ultra Balls. Be careful. These are unofficial modifications that void your warranty, are not supported by Nintendo or Niantic, and carry the usual risks of buying altered hardware from third-party sellers. For most players the cost and risk are not worth it.
The Smart Way to Catch Rares
The practical play is to use an auto-catcher for what it is good at and catch rares yourself. Let the device farm commons, Stardust, and items in the background, and when something rare or shiny appears, open the app and catch it manually with a Great or Ultra Ball and a berry. Many players turn auto-catch off during Community Day for exactly this reason, so they do not waste a regular Poké Ball on a shiny that then flees. Think of the auto-catcher as your volume tool and your hands as your precision tool.
The Closest Devices to Buy
If higher-tier balls matter to you, the Pokémon GO Plus + is the only device that offers them, manually. Otherwise, buy the best all-round auto-catcher for hands-free commons. Prices are as of June 2026. Our overall best seller, and the device we recommend for most players, is the MEGACOM DuoMon 3.
Pokémon GO Plus +
The only device that can use Great and Ultra Balls, with a manual press.
MEGACOM DuoMon 3
The best hands-free farming device for commons, Stardust, and items.
Go-tcha Evolve
Catches every Pokémon hands-free with regular Poké Balls.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an auto-catcher that throws Great or Ultra Balls automatically?
No. Every auto-catcher auto-throws regular Poké Balls only. The Pokémon GO Plus + can use Great or Ultra Balls, but only when you press the button manually, so it is not automatic.
Why do auto-catchers only use Poké Balls?
The Bluetooth catching system Niantic built sends a single basic throw with one regular Poké Ball, no berry, and no throw bonus. Every device uses that same protocol, so none can change the ball type on an automatic throw.
Are modified Pokémon GO Plus + units that auto-throw Ultra Balls safe?
They are not officially supported. Modified units sold for $80 to $120 void your warranty and carry the risks of altered third-party hardware. Most players are better off catching rares manually instead.
How do I catch rare Pokémon with an auto-catcher?
Let the auto-catcher handle commons in the background, and when a rare or shiny appears, catch it yourself in the app with a Great or Ultra Ball and a berry. Many players turn auto-catch off during Community Day for this reason.
The Bottom Line
No auto-catcher throws Great or Ultra Balls automatically, and only the Pokémon GO Plus + can use them at all, with a manual press. The best strategy is to let an auto-catcher farm commons while you catch rares yourself with better balls. To pick the right device for hands-free farming, see our tested auto-catcher rankings, or read our auto-catcher comparison to weigh your options.