TOOL HUNTER
If you’re a Pokemon GO enthusiast, you’ve probably heard whispers about Unown – that mysterious Psychic-type Pokemon shaped like ancient letters and symbols. For many trainers, figuring out how to get Unown in Pokemon GO becomes an obsession once they learn about its existence. This elusive creature stands apart from other Pokemon with its multiple forms, each representing a different character.
The journey to complete your Unown collection can feel overwhelming at first. With so many forms and such rare spawn rates, many trainers wonder if it’s even possible to catch them all. The good news is that with the right strategies and timing, you can significantly improve your chances of encountering these rare Pokemon.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Unown in Pokemon GO, from understanding what makes them so special to practical methods for adding them to your collection.
Understanding Unown Pokemon in Pokemon GO
Unown made its debut in Pokemon GO back in 2017 during the game’s first anniversary event. Since then, it has maintained its status as one of the most sought-after creatures in the game. What makes Unown so fascinating is its multiple forms – 28 in total as of 2025. These include all 26 letters of the Latin alphabet plus exclamation point and question mark variants.
Despite having identical stats across all forms, each Unown variation features a completely unique visual design. This makes them highly collectible for completionists who want to fill out their Pokedex with every possible form. The Unown in Pokemon GO maintain the same mysterious aura they had in the main series games, where they were known for their connection to ancient writings and hidden powers.
From a gameplay perspective, Unown doesn’t offer much battle utility. Their combat capabilities are quite limited compared to other Psychic-type Pokemon. However, their value lies in their rarity and the challenge of collecting them all. Many trainers consider completing their Unown collection to be one of the ultimate achievements in Pokemon GO.
How Many Unown Forms Exist in 2025?
As we move through 2025, the complete roster of Unown forms available in Pokemon GO stands at 28. This includes the full A to Z alphabet plus the “!” and “?” symbol forms. However, not all of these forms are available simultaneously in the game.
The availability of different Unown letters typically rotates based on special events, with certain forms appearing during specific occasions. For instance, during Pokemon GO Fest events, you might find Unown letters that spell out relevant words like “G-O-F-E-S-T” appearing in the wild or in raids.
When it comes to shiny variants, the situation becomes even more complex. As of mid-2025, only 24 of the 28 Unown forms have shiny versions available in Pokemon GO. The letters K, Q, W, and Z remain without shiny variants, though this could change with future events.
Interestingly, Unown W is featured as a highlight Pokemon during Pokemon GO Fest 2025: Global, but early promotional materials suggest its shiny form remains locked. Whether this represents a visual error in Niantic’s assets or a deliberate decision to withhold the shiny variant remains unclear. Players should keep an eye on official announcements as the event progresses for any updates.
For collectors aiming to complete their Unown alphabet, GO Fest 2025 represents one of the best opportunities to encounter rare forms that might not appear regularly throughout the year.
Understanding Unown Rarity in Pokemon GO
If you’re wondering just how difficult it is to find Unown in Pokemon GO, the answer is: extremely difficult. Unown consistently ranks among the rarest wild spawns in the entire game. Outside of designated events where specific forms are featured, encountering Unown in the wild borders on miraculous.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to comprehensive research conducted by Pokemon GO Hub, which analyzed over six million wild Pokemon encounters, Unown appeared exactly once in their dataset. This translates to a spawn rate of approximately 0.000017%, highlighting just how exceptionally rare wild Unown sightings are.
Even during events where Unown spawns are boosted, the appearance rates remain relatively low compared to other event-featured Pokemon. This scarcity is part of what makes Unown so desirable among collectors. Finding one feels like winning the lottery, especially if you manage to encounter a form you haven’t collected yet.
The rarity extends beyond just wild spawns. Unown rarely appears in eggs, and when it does, it’s typically limited to specific events. Raid appearances are also event-dependent, meaning there’s no consistent, reliable method to encounter Unown outside of special occasions.
Methods for Finding Unown in Pokemon GO
While catching Unown presents a significant challenge, several methods can improve your odds. Understanding these different approaches will help you develop a comprehensive strategy for completing your Unown collection.
Wild Encounters with Unown
The most straightforward way to encounter Unown is through wild spawns, though this is also the most unreliable method. Unown has been available in the wild since 2017, but its spawn rate remains exceptionally low outside of events.
During special events like GO Fest or Safari Zones, specific Unown forms may see increased spawn rates in particular areas. However, even during these events, Unown typically remains rarer than other featured Pokemon. If you’re hoping to find Unown in the wild, your best bet is to play extensively during major events in areas with high Pokemon spawn density.
Hatching Unown from Eggs
In certain past events, specific Unown letters have been added to the pool of possible hatches from 10km eggs. While this hasn’t been a consistent feature, it’s worth monitoring egg contents during global celebrations or special seasonal events.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require you to be in a specific location – you can collect eggs from anywhere and hatch them normally. The downside is that egg pools can be diluted with many other Pokemon, making the chances of hatching a specific Unown form quite low even when they’re available.
Using iMyFone AnyTo to Find Unown
For trainers looking to maximize their Unown hunting efficiency, tools like iMyFone AnyTo offer a significant advantage. This location-changing app allows you to virtually transport your avatar to areas where Unown is spawning, which is particularly useful during events when specific forms appear in different regions.
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The process of using iMyFone AnyTo to find Unown is straightforward:
Step 1: Download the iMyFone AnyTo app on your mobile device.
Step 2: Open the application and follow the setup instructions to configure the basic location settings.
Step 3: Select your desired destination on the map and activate the location change with a single tap.
For users who prefer computer-based control, the PC version offers additional features:
Connect your iOS or Android device to your computer and launch the AnyTo software.
Choose between Teleport Mode for instant location changes or Multi-spot Mode for creating custom routes.
Click the Move button to transport your avatar to the selected location.
This method is particularly valuable during global events when different Unown forms appear in various parts of the world. Instead of being limited to the forms available in your local area, you can virtually travel to multiple locations to collect different letters.
Participating in Unown Raids
Unown occasionally appears in raid battles, typically as a Tier 2 raid boss during special events. These raids provide one of the most reliable ways to encounter specific Unown forms, especially when coordinated through remote raiding.
The advantage of the raid method is the guaranteed encounter upon successful completion of the raid. Unlike wild spawns, where Unown might flee, raid catches give you multiple Premier Balls to attempt the capture. Additionally, Unown encountered through raids often have better IV ranges than wild catches.
During events featuring multiple Unown forms in raids, you can strategically target the letters you need to complete your collection. Remote raid passes make it possible to join raids worldwide, further expanding your access to different Unown variants.
Completing Research Tasks
Special Research and Field Research tasks occasionally reward Unown encounters. These research lines are typically tied to specific events and may offer chances to catch Unown forms that aren’t readily available through other methods.
Notably, reaching Level 50 in Pokemon GO sometimes grants an Unown encounter as part of the level-up rewards. Past events like Pokemon GO Tour have also featured exclusive research lines that rewarded specific Unown letters.
The research method provides a guaranteed encounter once you complete the required tasks, making it a reliable way to add at least one Unown to your collection. While you might not get multiple forms this way, it’s an excellent starting point for trainers beginning their Unown collection journey.
Complete Unown Alphabet Reference
For collectors keeping track of their progress, here’s a comprehensive list of all Unown forms available in Pokemon GO as of 2025, including their shiny availability status:
| Letter | Image | First Introduced | Shiny Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |  | 2017 | Yes |
| B |  | 2017 | Yes |
| C |  | 2017 | Yes |
| D |  | 2017 | Yes |
| E |  | 2017 | Yes |
| F |  | 2017 | Yes |
| G |  | 2017 | Yes |
| H |  | 2017 | Yes |
| I |  | 2017 | Yes |
| J |  | 2017 | Yes |
| K |  | 2017 | No |
| L |  | 2017 | Yes |
| M |  | 2017 | Yes |
| N |  | 2017 | Yes |
| O |  | 2017 | Yes |
| P |  | 2017 | Yes |
| Q |  | 2017 | No |
| R |  | 2017 | Yes |
| S |  | 2017 | Yes |
| T |  | 2017 | Yes |
| U |  | 2017 | Yes |
| V |  | 2017 | Yes |
| W |  | 2017 | No |
| X |  | 2017 | Yes |
| Y |  | 2017 | Yes |
| Z |  | 2017 | No |
| ! |  | 2018 | Yes |
| ? |  | 2018 | Yes |
Tracking your collection against this list can help you identify which forms you should prioritize during events. The missing shiny forms (K, Q, W, and Z) are particularly noteworthy for collectors aiming for a complete shiny Unown set.
Shiny Unown Hunting Strategies
The pursuit of shiny Unown represents the ultimate challenge for many Pokemon GO collectors. These alternate color variants are even rarer than their standard counterparts and are only available during specific circumstances.
Understanding Shiny Unown Rates
The shiny rate for Unown varies depending on the event context. During in-person GO Fest events and Safari Zones, the shiny rate typically improves to approximately 1 in 64. For global events including GO Fest and various Tour events, the rate is generally around 1 in 128, though exceptions do occur.
Notably, during Global GO Fest 2020, the shiny rate for Unown was boosted to 1 in 64 despite being a global event. This demonstrates that Niantic occasionally provides better odds during significant celebrations, so it’s worth monitoring official announcements for any rate improvements during major events.
Outside of these special occasions, shiny Unown is completely unavailable. You cannot encounter a shiny Unown during normal gameplay, regardless of how many standard Unown you might find.
Effective Shiny Hunting Techniques
Successfully hunting shiny Unown requires a strategic approach. The most effective method involves maximizing your encounters during events where shiny Unown is available. This means focusing your playtime during events that feature Unown spawns and planning your activities to optimize encounter rates.
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During events, consider using tools like iMyFone AnyTo to access multiple locations where different Unown forms are spawning. This approach lets you target specific letters you need for your shiny collection rather than being limited to local spawns.
Another effective strategy involves prioritizing Unown raids during events, as these provide guaranteed encounters. While the shiny odds are the same as wild spawns, the certainty of the encounter makes raids a efficient use of time and resources.
For trainers attending in-person events, focusing on areas with high spawn density and using items like Incense can significantly increase encounter rates. The key is creating as many opportunities for the random shiny chance to trigger as possible within the event
