Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • RPG Hub
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go April Fools 2022 Event start Time and how to catch a shiny Ditto

Guides
By Phillip Martinez
Published 1 April 2022

Everything trainers need for the Pokemon Go April Fool’s Ditto event

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

pokemon Go april fools event
(Image credit: Niantic)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

This year's Poekemon April Fools event, called April Fools’ 2-Oh?-22 will let trainers can be tricked by catching Pokemon Go Ditto. There’s only one other Pokemon that can do what Ditto does - that would be the Mythical Pokemon, Mew - but Ditto is iconic largely because of its availability and its appearance in the Pokemon anime.

In an early-season episode of the anime, a particular trainer’s Ditto was unable to change its face when it transformed. This led to a lot of memes that even The Pokemon Company has capitalized on with merchandise showing Ditto-transformed Pokemon. What does that have to do with this year’s April Fool’s event? Well, there are some in-game goodies that are based on this particular Ditto and the event itself gives Pokemon Go trainers more opportunities to catch their own Ditto.

We’ve compiled this guide to give trainers all the information they need for the April Fool’s event including when it starts and ends, as well as the special research tasks players can complete.

 Pokemon Go April Fool’s 2022 Event Start Time 

The 2022 Pokemon Go April Fool’s event begins at midnight local time on April 1 and ends April 1 at 11:59 p.m. local time. It’s an event that has a limited window, so trainers will want to get out there and explore all aspects of the April Fool’s celebration.

When trainers boot up the game, there will be a new story featuring Professor Willow. The story features the professor being transformed into a Ditto. 

You may like
  • Pokemon Go codes linked to the Lego collaboration Pokemon Go codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them
  • Image of the Hori Ditto Compact Carry All and the HORIPAD Turbo wireless controller on a pink GamesRadar+ background. What perfect timing, Hori's adorable Switch 2 Ditto accessories launch just one day after Pokopia's first DLC expansion
  • The pre-order bonus Ditto Rug, one of the Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gifts. Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (October 2026)

Pokemon Go April Fool’s 2022 Event Research Tasks 

pokemon Go april fools event

(Image credit: Niantic)

There is just one event-exclusive Field Research Tasks trainers can obtain and complete during the event. 

By catching three transformed Pokemon, trainers will earn an encounter with Ditto. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

As for Special Research, there are three pages of tasks that trainers can complete to earn Ditto Candy and much more. Here’s the entire list of tasks and rewards trainers can complete.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Special Research 1
Task Reward
Catch 10 Pokemon Poke Ball (x25)
Catch 5 Normal-type Pokemon Potion (x5)
Make 5 Nice Throws Nanab Berry (x5)
  • Completion Reward - Stardust (x1000), Ditto Candy (x15), Razz Berry (x5)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Special Research 2
Task Reward
Catch 10 Pokemon Great Ball (x15)
Catch 3 of the Transform Pokemon Super Potion (x5)
Transfer 10 Pokemon Pinap Berry (x5)
  • Completion Reward - 1500xp, Ditto Candy (x15), Silver Pinap Berry (x1)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Special Research 3
Task Reward
Claim Reward Ultra Ball (x10)
Claim Reward Hyper Potion (x5)
Claim Reward 3500xp
  • Completion Reward - Stardust (x3000), Ditto Candy (x15), Ditto encounter

 How to catch Ditto in Pokemon Go, or a shiny

Ditto in Pokemon Go could be a difficult Pokemon to find, let alone capture. It doesn't appear as itself in the overworld, so trainers often have to catch Pokemon randomly in hopes to find it.

If a trainer catches a transformed Ditto, they will see a different screen on their phones where the Pokemon reverts back to Ditto. However, there are only a handful of Pokemon that have a chance to be a transformed Ditto. Here’s the full list of Pokemon.

You may like
  • Pokemon Go codes linked to the Lego collaboration Pokemon Go codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them
  • Image of the Hori Ditto Compact Carry All and the HORIPAD Turbo wireless controller on a pink GamesRadar+ background. What perfect timing, Hori's adorable Switch 2 Ditto accessories launch just one day after Pokopia's first DLC expansion
  • The pre-order bonus Ditto Rug, one of the Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gifts. Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (October 2026)
  • Ekans
  • Gastly
  • Natu
  • Surskit
  • Finneon
  • Dwebble
  • Swirlix

Ditto’s Shiny is also available in Pokemon Go so there is a chance the Pokemon you catch can be a Shiny transformed Ditto, but the chances are low. 

In-Game Bonus 

There aren’t any playing bonuses during the April Fool’s event. However, trainers can obtain special stickers during the 24-hour event.

Of course, these stickers are based on Ditto and there are six to collect by opening gifts from friends and by spinning Poke Stops. We recommend checking these stickers out, especially the Pokemon Go Team Ditto stickers. These three stickers show Ditto transformed into Moltres, Articuno and Zapdos in the position of Team Valor, Instinct and Mystic’s logos. 

Pokemon Go tips | Pokemon Go Eevee evolutions | Pokemon Go Great League best team  | Pokemon Go Master League best team  | Pokemon Go Ultra League best team | Pokemon Go Giovanni counters | Pokemon Go Cliff counters | Pokemon Go Sierra counters | Pokemon Go Arlo counters | Pokemon Go evolution items | Pokemon Go 41-50 level guide | Pokemon Go Unova Stones | Pokemon Go A Thousand-Year Slumber | Pokemon Go shiny list | Pokemon Go XL Candy | Pokemon Go Mega Energy  

CATEGORIES
Android iPhone iPad Platforms Mobile Gaming
Phillip Martinez
Phillip Martinez
Social Links Navigation

I'm currently a GamesRadar guide contributor with a specialty in everything Pokemon GO. If you've wanted to know the best way to take down a Rayquaza, there's a good chance you read one of my guides. I previously have written for IBT Media, Newsweek and Screen Rant. I'm a huge fighting game fan and everything Pokemon, but I've grown to love RPGs.

Read more
Pokemon Go codes linked to the Lego collaboration
Pokemon Pokemon Go codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them
 
 
Image of the Hori Ditto Compact Carry All and the HORIPAD Turbo wireless controller on a pink GamesRadar+ background.
Accessories What perfect timing, Hori's adorable Switch 2 Ditto accessories launch just one day after Pokopia's first DLC expansion
 
 
The pre-order bonus Ditto Rug, one of the Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gifts.
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (October 2026)
 
 
Ditto surrounded by Water-type Pokemon in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia's first DLC Bubbly Basin arrives next week, but in Part 2 Pokemon can become fashion icons
 
 
Close up on strap of Pokemon Sleep special edition Fitbit Air with Pikachu in the background
Toys & Collectibles Google's new Pokémon Sleep special edition Fitbit slaps Pikachu on your wrist
 
 
Screenshot from Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu, showing a yellow mouse and white bird smiling while singing together.
Pokemon New Pokemon series from Wallace and Gromit animation studio Aardman is coming to Disney Plus
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
A trainer standing on a rock next to the ocean during Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves might benefit from next-gen water tech
 
 
Close up of the thunder designs on the Pokemon Beats Pill.
Speakers and Audio Apple's new Pokemon edition Beats Pill has reignited my appreciation of wireless Bluetooth speakers
 
 
A pile of presents with Pokemon products interspersed in the pile, and a fireplace visible in the background
Toys & Collectibles This year's Pokemon Center Christmas decorations already have me feeling festive
 
 
An anime girl raises her hands in Ame Nochi Hare Onna
Pokemon Pokemon lead is making an "original" RPG where you wash your outfits and let them dry in real time
 
 
Approaching the final mountaintop battle in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokemon Pokemon fans made their own Wordle where you beat Gold and Silver with a random team every day
 
 
Lego Pikachu and Poke Ball set against a white background
Toys & Collectibles Lego Pokemon blind boxes are apparently on the way, and I desperately hope they're real
 
 
Latest in Guides
Police Station in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ
Call of Duty How to find and loot Police Stations in MW4 DMZ mode
 
 
A robot cleaner runs off with a feather duster in hand in Clean Crew on Roblox.
Simulation Games All Clean Crew codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for stickers and more
 
 
Traits in Modern Warfare 4
Call of Duty What are the best Operator Traits in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ?
 
 
Key art for Genshin Impact livestream 7.2 codes
Action RPGs Genshin Impact livestream 7.2 codes
 
 
An alien peeks round a door in a promotional image for Doors on Roblox.
Survival Games All Doors codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for Stardust and Knobs
 
 
Dual Wielding in Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk How to dual wield guns in Cyberpunk 2077 and become a futuristic gunslinger
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. BioWare's radical reinvention of its space opera massively paid off
    1
    Mass Effect 2 found its identity in the intimate and personal
  2. 2
    After 7 years of development, Katana Zero DLC is now "the size of a full sequel"
  3. 3
    The Elden Ring movie is reportedly A24's most expensive production ever with a $200 million budget
  4. 4
    The Witcher star Doug Cockle recorded all of Geralt's lines for the OG RPG in just 8 days
  5. 5
    Open-world spy game from Grand Theft Auto dev never happened because Rockstar couldn't get it right

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...