Why Can't Samsung Galaxy A13 Play Pokémon GO Anymore? The Bitter Truth About 32-Bit Support

Is Your Android Phone Too Old for Pokémon GO? The Devastating Device Compatibility Crisis

Pokémon GO players woke up to bad news. The game stopped working on many Android phones. This includes the Samsung Galaxy A13. The phone came out in March 2022. That makes it pretty new. But it can't run Pokémon GO anymore.

What Happened to Your Phone?

Niantic made a big change. They dropped support for all 32-bit Android devices. Your Samsung Galaxy A13 runs on a 32-bit system. This means the game won't work on your phone now.

When you try to open Pokémon GO, you see a message. It tells you to update the app. But here's the problem - you can't actually download the update. The phone just won't let you.

The Samsung Galaxy A13 Problem

The Galaxy A13 situation makes many people angry. Here's why:

• The phone is only three years old
• It has a 64-bit processor inside
• Samsung put a 32-bit operating system on it
• The hardware could run the game, but the software blocks it

This creates a weird situation. Your "new" phone is now too "old" for Pokémon GO. Many people bought this phone recently. They thought it would work for years.

Real Player Stories

Reddit users shared their pain online. One player called Plus-Commander posted a screenshot. It showed the dreaded message: "This app isn't compatible with your device anymore." Over 1,200 people upvoted the post. They all had the same problem.

Another player wrote about missing game events:

"I need a new one by tomorrow, but what if I can't? It's expensive, and while it's def worth it, I'm just so worried… I need a new one for my early morning walk to work on sunday, too, or I'm not gonna be able to emotionally function."

The Unfair Comparison

Here's what makes players mad:

Phones That Still Work

• 2019 Samsung Galaxy S9+ (6 years old)
• 2018 Sony phones (7 years old)
• Most flagship phones from 2017

Phones That Don't Work

• 2022 Samsung Galaxy A13 (3 years old)
• Many other budget Samsung phones
• Various Sony Xperia models
• Several Motorola devices

Old expensive phones work fine. New cheap phones don't work at all.

Why Niantic Made This Change

Niantic gave their reasons:

1. Easier Development - They can focus on newer systems
2. Better Resources - More time for new features
3. Most Users Moved On - They say most people have 64-bit phones

The company claims most phones made before 2015 use 32-bit systems. But the Galaxy A13 proves this rule wrong. Samsung made a 32-bit phone in 2022.

What You Can Do Now

If your phone stopped working, you have limited options:

Option 1: Buy a New Phone

1. Save your account info first
2. Look for 64-bit Android phones
3. Consider older flagship models
4. Check budget phones from other brands

Option 2: Wait and Hope

• Niantic might change their mind
• Samsung might release an update
• Third-party solutions could appear

Option 3: Switch Games

• Try other mobile games
• Take a break from mobile gaming
• Find offline activities

The Bigger Picture

This change affects thousands of players worldwide. Many spent years building their Pokémon collections. They bought items with real money. Now they can't access their accounts.

The timing feels especially harsh. Many people bought Galaxy A13 phones thinking they were getting a good deal. The phone works fine for everything else. It just can't run one specific game.

Moving Forward

Niantic's decision creates a tough choice. Players must either buy new phones or quit the game. For many, this feels unfair. They did nothing wrong. Their phones work perfectly for other apps.

The situation shows how quickly technology can change. A three-year-old phone is now considered outdated. This wasn't always the case. Phones used to last much longer before becoming obsolete.

Some players are looking at this as a chance to upgrade. Others feel forced into spending money they don't have. The choice is personal. But the frustration is universal.

The Galaxy A13 situation serves as a warning. When buying budget phones, check the operating system type. Make sure it's 64-bit if you want to play modern games. This problem might happen again with other apps in the future.