Full Guide: How to Get Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO

Aerodactyl, the iconic Fossil Pokémon from Generation 1, remains one of the most sought-after creatures in Pokémon GO. Its prehistoric, pterosaur-like design and powerful Mega Evolution make it a prized addition to any Trainer's collection. However, unlike common Pokémon, Aerodactyl isn't something you'll find on every street corner. Its rarity means you need a specific strategy to track one down.

This guide will walk you through every proven method to get Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO. We'll cover the most reliable techniques, opportunistic encounters, and everything you need to know about its Shiny and Mega forms.

Part 1. Two Normal Methods to Find Aerodactyl

If you're actively hunting for Aerodactyl, these two methods are your most consistent and dependable options. They provide a clear path to an encounter without relying on pure luck.

Method 1: The "Win 5 Raids" Field Research Task

By far the most reliable, repeatable way to get an Aerodactyl is through a specific Field Research task. The task you need to find is "Win 5 Raids."

When you complete this task, you are rewarded with a Pokémon encounter, which is often Aerodactyl. The best part? The Aerodactyl encountered through this research task has a chance to be Shiny.

How to Get and Complete This Task:

Step 1: Field Research tasks are obtained by spinning the photo disc at PokéStops. Each PokéStop gives out one specific task per day.
Step 2: You may need to visit several PokéStops to find the Win 5 Raids task. If a stop doesn't give you the task you want, you can delete it from your research list and try another location. Local Pokémon GO community groups often share locations of desirable tasks.

Step 3: To complete the task, you simply need to win five raids. These can be any tier, from easy 1-Star raids you can do solo to legendary 5-Star raids. Participating in Raid Hours or using Remote Raid Passes can help you complete this task quickly.

Method 2: The "Let's GO, Meltan" Special Research

For players who have not yet completed all of the game's Special Research, there is a guaranteed, one-time Aerodactyl encounter waiting for you. This encounter is part of the "Let's GO, Meltan" Special Research line, which is available to all players.

You will be rewarded with an Aerodactyl encounter upon completing Step 8 of 9 of this research. The specific task is "Catch an Aerodactyl." Since finding one is the task itself, the game provides you with one as a reward for completing the other tasks in that step. If you haven't finished this research line, this is your single most certain method to add Aerodactyl to your Pokédex.

Part 2. How to Get Aerodactyl During Events

While the methods above are consistent, the following opportunities depend on the game's rotating schedule of events and Raid Bosses. When these are active, they become excellent ways to hunt for Aerodactyl.

Method 1. Battling Mega Aerodactyl in Raids

When Mega Aerodactyl is featured in Mega Raids, it presents a fantastic two-for-one opportunity. Defeating this powerful boss will not only give you Mega Aerodactyl Energy but also lead to a regular Aerodactyl encounter with a high chance of being shiny.

How to Prepare for Mega Aerodactyl Raids:

Know Its Weaknesses: As a Rock/Flying type, Mega Aerodactyl is weak to Rock, Steel, Water, Electric, and Ice-type attacks.

Build a Strong Counter Team: Using top-tier counters is essential. A group of 3-5 high-level trainers can typically defeat it.

Top Counters for Mega Aerodactyl:

• Metagross: Meteor Mash (Charged Move) and Bullet Punch (Fast Move)
• Kyogre: Origin Pulse or Surf (Charged Move) and Waterfall (Fast Move)
• Rampardos: Rock Slide (Charged Move) and Smack Down (Fast Move)
• Dialga: Iron Head (Charged Move) and Metal Claw (Fast Move)
• Rhyperior: Rock Wrecker (Charged Move) and Smack Down (Fast Move)
• Zekrom: Wild Charge (Charged Move) and Charge Beam (Fast Move)

Keep an eye on the official Pokémon GO blog and in-game news to know when Mega Aerodactyl will be returning to raids.

Method 2. Rescuing Shadow Aerodactyl from Team GO Rocket

For a different flavor of Aerodactyl, you can rescue a Shadow version by defeating a Team GO Rocket Leader. Shadow Aerodactyl has historically been in the lineup of Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo.

The leaders' Pokémon lineups rotate every few months. To get a Shadow Aerodactyl, you'll need to wait for a rotation where it is part of Arlo's (or another leader's) team. You can find out the current lineups by checking online community resources. To battle a leader, you must collect six Mysterious Components by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts to assemble a Rocket Radar.

Part 3. How to Get Aerodactyl During Special Events

Outside of the methods above, special events are your best bet. Pokémon GO frequently holds events that boost the spawn rates of specific types of Pokémon. Aerodactyl is often featured during:

• Adventure Week: This annual event is typically focused on Fossil and Rock-type Pokémon, making it the single best time of year to find Aerodactyl in the wild.
• Rock-Type Events: Any event celebrating Rock-types will likely increase its spawn rate.
• Kanto-Themed Events: As a Generation 1 Pokémon, Aerodactyl sometimes appears more frequently during events celebrating the Kanto region.

During these events, always check the "Today" view in the game to see if Aerodactyl is featured in event-specific Timed Research or Field Research tasks.

Part 4. Other Ways to Get Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO

While technically possible, the following methods are highly unreliable and should not be your primary focus.

Wild Spawns: Can you find Aerodactyl in the wild? Yes, but it is exceptionally rare. Outside of events, the chances of encountering one are incredibly low. While a "Partly Cloudy" weather boost does increase the spawn rate of Rock-types, you are still far more likely to find a Geodude or a Rhyhorn than an Aerodactyl.

Egg Hatches: Aerodactyl has historically been available in 7km and 10km eggs. However, the egg pool changes with each new in-game Season. As of now, Aerodactyl is not a common hatch from any egg. You can always check the current egg pool by tapping on an egg in your inventory to see a list of possible hatches.

Bonus Tip: How to Get Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO without Walking a Step

Want to get Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO but don't want to move far from your home? Using TunesKit Location Changer is the best choice that can help you get Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO at your home easily. TunesKit Location Changer is a professional GPS location changing tool that supports both iOS and Android devices.

For Pokémon GO players, TunesKit Location Changer offers a dedicated Game Mode that allows you to change your location safely without risking a ban. With five different location-changing modes, you can create custom routes on the map and set your movement speed for a more realistic gaming experience.

Part 5. Frequently Asked Questions

Part 6. Conclusion

Catching an Aerodactyl requires patience and strategy. Focus on the "Win 5 Raids" Field Research task for repeatable encounters with a shiny chance. Complete the "Let's GO, Meltan" Special Research for a guaranteed Aerodactyl. Participate in Mega Aerodactyl raids and stay alert for in-game events. This approach will help you add this ancient Pokémon to your collection quickly.

If you want to get Aerodactyl easily without walking a step, download and try using TunesKit Location Changer to help you get this amazing Pokémon.