How to Get a Master Ball in Pokémon GO?

Picture this: you've tracked it for what feels like miles. A perfect, shiny, legendary Pokémon finally appears on your screen. Your heart is pounding, you're down to your last few Premier Balls, and you've thrown every Golden Razz Berry you own. You toss the ball, it wiggles once... twice... and the Pokémon breaks free and flees. Ouch.

If that painful scenario feels a little too real, then you're definitely not alone in asking the ultimate question: How to get a master ball in Pokémon GO?

That beautiful, elusive purple orb is the stuff of legends—a trainer's ultimate safety net. It's your single-use, guaranteed ticket to catching anything you want, no matter how stubborn it is. But getting one isn't as simple as spinning a PokéStop or visiting the shop. Let's dive into how you can actually add this item to your inventory.

Part 1. Why Are Master Balls So Rare?

Master Balls are exceptionally rare in Pokémon GO primarily for reasons of game balance and to preserve the excitement of catching Pokémon.

At its core, the rarity comes down to the Master Ball's unique and overwhelmingly powerful function: a 100% guaranteed catch rate. If everyone had them, there would be no challenge or fun in catching rare and legendary Pokémon.

Part 2. How to Get a Master Ball in Pokémon GO?

As of September 2025, there are no currently active research tasks that reward a new Master Ball for players who have already claimed the previous ones. The only way to get a Master Ball in Pokémon GO is by completing specific, high-level Special Research or Timed Investigation stories that Niantic releases on rare occasions.

If you do not have a Master Ball in your inventory, you unfortunately have to wait until Niantic announces a new opportunity.

Here is a breakdown of how Master Balls have been made available in the past, which is the likely model for how they will be offered in the future.

The Primary Method: High-level Special Research

Step 1: Wait for an Announcement

Niantic announces these major research events ahead of time on the official Pokémon GO blog, social media channels, and in the in-game news. These events are often tied to new seasons or major in-game events.

Step 2. Log In to Claim the Research

Typically, you should log into Pokémon GO during a specific window of time (often lasting a full season) to automatically receive the Special Research. Once you have it, you can complete it at your own pace.

Step 3. Complete All Research Steps

These questlines involve numerous stages with multiple challenging tasks. You may be required to catch hundreds of Pokémon, participate in dozens of raids, hatch eggs, and achieve Excellent Throws.

Step 4. Claim Your Reward

The Master Ball is usually the final reward after you have completed every single other task in the entire research story.

Past Opportunities to Get a Master Ball

To date, there have been a limited number of opportunities to earn a Master Ball. If you claimed and completed the associated research, you would have one from each:

"Let's GO!" Special Research (May 2023): This was the first time the Master Ball was introduced. Players who completed all five steps of this research were rewarded with one.

"Timed Investigation: Master Ball" (Ends November 2023): This was a difficult, long-term Timed Investigation that required dedicated play throughout the "Adventures Abound" season. It was a Timed Investigation, meaning it had to be completed by a deadline.

"Special Research: Master Ball" (Catching Wonders Event 2024): A free Special Research questline was released, again rewarding trainers with a Master Ball upon completion of all its steps.

Because these research opportunities have concluded, you cannot go back and get them. Your best strategy is to play the game actively and keep an eye on official announcements so you don't miss the next chance when it arrives.

Part 3. How to Boost Your Chances to Get a Master Ball in Pokémon GO?

While Master Balls themselves can only be obtained through special research events in Pokémon GO, having one is only half the journey. To truly make the most of it, you’ll want to encounter rare Pokémon that are worth using it on—such as Legendaries, region-exclusive Pokémon, or elusive shinies.

This is where TunesKit Location Changer comes in handy. By allowing you to virtually change your GPS location, this tool makes it possible to explore different regions, access exclusive spawns, and maximize your opportunities with ease.

Here's how to boost your chances to get a master ball in Pokémon GO using TunesKit Location Changer.

Step 1 Connect Your Device

Download and install TunesKit Location Changer on your computer. Connect your smartphone (iOS or Android) to the computer and launch the program. Click the Start button on the main screen to move on, then select the Game Mode to start.

Step 2 Select Location Spoofing Mode

Select "Change Location" mode and enter the destination you'd like to explore—whether that's a city known for rare spawns or a different country with region-exclusive Pokémon. Click "Start Modifying" and your phone's GPS location will instantly update in Pokémon GO.

Step 3 Select Other Location Simulation Mode

You can also use the "Jump Teleport" mode or "Two-spot/Multi-spot movements" features to move naturally along a path, which helps mimic real gameplay and unlocks even more encounter possibilities.

Part 4. How to Use a Master Ball in Pokémon GO?

Using the Master Ball is essentially the same as using any other Poké Ball in an encounter, with the added guarantee of catch success. Steps:

Step 1: Enter a Pokémon encounter (wild Pokémon, raid reward, etc.).

Step 2: Tap the Poké Ball icon to throw. The Master Ball will be in your Poké Ball inventory.

Step 3: Select the Master Ball. Because it has 100% catch rate, you don't need to use other catch-boosting items like golden razz berry, curveballs, etc., though you can if you want to satisfy habit or flair.

Step 4: Throw it. It will catch the Pokémon for sure.

When It's Best to Use

Because Master Balls are rare, it's wise to save them for encounters where you really need the guarantee. Here are good situations / recommendations:

What Not to Use It On / Things to Consider

• If you have plenty of Poké Balls, Golden Razz berries, etc., you might attempt a normal catch first; saving the Master Ball can feel better for something special.
• Since you can get additional Master Balls in future special / timed research, you don't always have to spend one at the first opportunity — but because there are often limited windows to obtain them, also don’t expect them to be super common.
• Using it on Pokémon that don't have high stakes (low CP, common, easily encountered) might feel wasteful.

Part 5. FAQs about Master Balls in Pokémon GO

Part 6. Conclusion

The Master Ball remains one of the rarest and most powerful items in Pokémon GO, giving Trainers a guaranteed catch for any Pokémon they encounter. Since it can only be obtained through special or timed research events, it's important to save it for high-value targets like Legendary, Mythical, or shiny Pokémon.

To increase your chances of finding rare spawns and making the most of your Master Ball, tools like TunesKit Location Changer can be especially helpful. With its ability to simulate GPS movement, change your location instantly, and plan virtual routes, you can explore more regions, encounter rare Pokémon, and prepare for the perfect moment to use your Master Ball.