How to Find Giovanni in Pokémon GO

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Finding Giovanni in Pokémon GO means earning and using a Super Rocket Radar to locate the Team GO Rocket boss. You’ll need to be far enough along in the relevant Team GO Rocket Special Research, then check eligible PokéStops or Rocket balloons until Giovanni appears.

What You’ll Need

A Pokémon GO account with an internet connection and location services enabled.
Access to the Team GO Rocket Special Research that awards a Super Rocket Radar. Research names and availability can change with in-game events.
A Super Rocket Radar, earned by completing the required research steps or another task that specifically awards one.
A team of Pokémon prepared for battles against Giovanni’s current lineup.

Step-by-Step

Check your Special Research. Open the in-game menu and tap the binoculars or the Special tab in the Research screen. Look for a Team GO Rocket questline and read its current objectives. Some research is available only during a particular event or after meeting a progress requirement, so do not assume every account can start it at any time.
Complete the research objectives. Follow the tasks shown on screen. Depending on the quest, you may need to defeat Team GO Rocket grunts, purify Shadow Pokémon, or battle a Team GO Rocket leader. The exact objectives differ, so use the text in your own research rather than relying on a fixed list from an older guide.
Claim the Super Rocket Radar. When the relevant research reward becomes available, tap to claim it. Check your item bag for the radar. A regular Rocket Radar is not enough to find Giovanni: it locates Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra, while the Super Rocket Radar is used to search for the boss.
Equip the Super Rocket Radar. Open your item bag and tap the Super Rocket Radar, then choose the option to equip or use it. You can also check the radar icon or map display to confirm it is active. If you already have one equipped, avoid using another until you understand how your current research and inventory are tracking it.
Search nearby PokéStops. With the Super Rocket Radar active, inspect the map for marked Team GO Rocket locations. Tap a nearby eligible PokéStop and look for Giovanni. Some stops are occupied by decoys that imitate him; a decoy is not Giovanni, so move on and check other marked stops. The radar helps reveal where to look but does not guarantee that every stop contains the boss.
Check Rocket balloons as well. If a Team GO Rocket balloon appears, tap it while the Super Rocket Radar is active. The encounter may be Giovanni or a decoy, depending on the current game setup. Balloons come and go, so if none is present, check again later or continue searching at PokéStops.
Confirm the encounter before battling. Read the opponent name and team screen. If it says Giovanni, start the battle; if it identifies a decoy or another Rocket character, you have not found the boss. You can leave a decoy encounter without spending the radar, then keep searching.
Prepare for Giovanni’s current team and battle. Giovanni’s Pokémon and their order can change during events. Check the battle screen, use Pokémon that counter the opponents you encounter, and consider bringing durable choices with charged moves ready. If you lose, revive and heal your team, adjust your lineup, and try again while you still have access to the encounter.
Claim the reward after winning. Follow the catch screen to attempt to catch the Shadow Pokémon Giovanni leaves behind. Use appropriate berries and accurate throws, and make sure you have space in your Pokémon storage. Check your research afterward; some quest steps require you to claim a battle or catch reward separately.

Common Mistakes

Using a regular Rocket Radar: It finds the three Team GO Rocket leaders, not Giovanni. Look specifically for a Super Rocket Radar.
Assuming a radar guarantees a boss at every stop: Some marked stops are decoys. Check more than one location or try a balloon encounter.
Expecting the same research or Pokémon lineup as an old guide: Quest access, tasks, and Giovanni’s team can change. Follow the current in-game instructions.
Confusing a leader encounter with Giovanni: Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra are separate encounters. Be sure the battle screen names Giovanni before using your prepared boss strategy.
Leaving the catch until storage is full: Free Pokémon storage space before the fight so you can complete the reward encounter without interruption.

Tips

Read each research task carefully and claim completed rewards; progress may not advance until you tap the reward.
Use the map and balloons together. If local PokéStops are inconvenient or show decoys, a balloon can provide another opportunity.
Build a flexible battle team rather than copying a lineup from a past event. Giovanni’s roster is not fixed, and the first opponent can help you decide what counters to use on a retry.
Use type advantages and charged attacks that can be activated reliably. Pokémon that resist the opponent’s attacks can also help you last longer.
If you are unsure whether the radar is active, check your item bag and map indicators before traveling to a stop.

Troubleshooting

No Team GO Rocket research is visible: Check both Special and Today research, update the game, and confirm that you meet any stated requirements. Some Giovanni research is tied to limited-time events and may not be available to start after that event ends. Existing questlines may remain visible, but availability can vary.

You cannot find Giovanni at nearby stops: Confirm the Super Rocket Radar is equipped, then inspect other marked stops. A decoy may be occupying a location. Try again when a balloon appears, and check that location services and the map are working.

The radar does not appear in your bag: Reopen the research screen and see whether the reward still needs to be claimed. Check your item bag for a Super Rocket Radar rather than a regular Rocket Radar. If the research says the reward was claimed but it is missing, restart the app and review the current in-game help or support options.

You keep losing the battle: Note Giovanni’s Pokémon and adjust your counters after each attempt. Heal your Pokémon, switch the battle order, and use Pokémon with type resistance or effective charged moves. The lineup can change, so a team that worked previously may not work now.

You won but cannot finish the catch: Check that your Pokémon storage has room and follow the catch encounter on screen. If the encounter closed unexpectedly or a reward seems missing, restart the game and check your journal and research before contacting in-game support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find Giovanni without a Super Rocket Radar?
No. The Super Rocket Radar is the usual way to locate him. A regular Rocket Radar is for Team GO Rocket leaders.

How do I get a Super Rocket Radar?
Complete the objectives in a Team GO Rocket Special Research questline that awards one, or complete another in-game task that explicitly lists it as a reward. Availability can depend on events.

Why is Giovanni not at the PokéStop on my radar?
The stop may have a decoy, or Giovanni may be at another marked stop. Keep checking eligible locations and try a Rocket balloon when one appears.

Can Giovanni appear in a Rocket balloon?
Yes, a balloon can offer a Giovanni encounter when you have the Super Rocket Radar active. The encounter may instead be a decoy.

Does Giovanni’s Pokémon team stay the same?
No. His lineup can change during game updates or events. Check the battle encounter and use counters suited to the current opponents.

What happens to the radar after I defeat Giovanni?
Radar use and availability can depend on how it was obtained and the current research. Check your item bag and quest screen afterward; do not assume a defeated encounter automatically grants another radar.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.