Pokémon Sleep release date, gameplay and latest news

Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur sitting on a Poke-ball in Pokémon Sleep
(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

Pokémon Sleep marks yet another step into the lifestyle and health app space for The Pokemon Company, and ever since its release, it's been a staple for Pokémon fans around the world.

If you're familiar with Pokémon Go, you're probably no stranger to pocket-sized Pokemon. Sleep plans to take this one step further, tracking your sleep schedule and rewarding you with themed items for a good rest. We've played it and found it to be a sleep app we weren't expecting.

Pokémon Sleep puts a spin on the classic Pokémon catching formula, and tracks your sleep schedule, rewarding you with Pokémon-themed items. There's even a new peripheral device called the Pokémon Go Plus +, which can be used in tandem with the app. Here's what you need to know about Pokémon Sleep before jumping in.

Pokémon Sleep: cut to the chase

  • What is it? A Pokémon game that's tied to your sleeping habits
  • When can I play it? Out now
  • What can I play it on? Android and iOS

Pokémon Sleep release date

Pokémon Sleep

Image Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Sleep is out now in all planned regions. You can pick it up by heading to the App Store or Google Play Store.

Pokémon Sleep trailers

The latest trailer for Pokémon Sleep was revealed during Pokémon Day 2023. It shows trainers waking up with an assortment of Pokémon. There's some lovely quotes from the game, as well as a look at how The Pokémon Company intends to help you sleep better.

No gameplay was shown during this particular trailer, but thankfully it was followed up by a breakdown of the new app, which you can view below.

We've included some key Pokémon Sleep trailers throughout this article but you can find all the Pokémon Sleep trailers that have been released to date on The Pokémon Company's official YouTube channel.

Pokémon Sleep gameplay

Pokémon Sleep is a mobile app developed by Select Button, in tandem with Niantic which created the mobile AR game Pokémon Go

It isn't being referred to as a game so much as an app, meaning this is much closer to a sleep tracking app than a full-blown mobile Pokémon game.

The app's official description describes a few elements that are interesting. It reads, "Pokémon Sleep aims to turn sleeping into entertainment by having a player's time spent sleeping, and the time they wake up, effect the gameplay."

The Pokémon Company recently released a lot more info on Pokémon Sleep will track your nightly sleep and give you a score depending on certain sleep targets, such as the duration and regularity of your sleep schedule – but whether we'll be punished or rewarded for sleeping in for a few hours is anyone's guess.

You'll place your smartphone next to your bed as you sleep. When you wake up, you will be told what kind of sleep you had the night prior. This type is then matched with Pokémon that have the same sleeping type as you. These will appear in-game, allowing you to steadily collect Pokémon as you go.

You'll also be able to make use of the Pokémon Go Plus+, the latest version of the Plus tracker used in tandem with Pokémon Go. We're told it will now be able to help track your sleep as well as track Pokémon, and send relevant "sleep information to your smartphone via Bluetooth."

That's everything you need to know about Pokémon Sleep. For more Pokémon action, check out our list of the best Pokémon games ever made.

James Peckham

James is Managing Editor for Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.

With contributions from