How to Catch Smeargle in Pokémon GO

Following the addition of the Snapshot feature in Pokémon GO, Trainers have been noticing a photobombing Smeargle in some of their AR photos. Naturally, this has resulted in players wondering how to catch Smeargle. 

Rather than appear in the wild, you’ll need to rely on the Snapshot feature to spawn Smeargle in Pokémon GO. To use the Snapshot feature, you’ll first need to open Pokémon GO, then open your Pokémon inventory. 

Tap on the Pokémon you want to photograph. If it’s your first time using Snapshot, the game will notify you about the addition of the new feature before asking you to install ARCore by Google. Install this app, then return to Pokémon GO and repeat the steps above.

After selecting the Pokémon you wish to photograph, tap the camera icon in the upper right corner and begin taking photographs. As you photograph your Pokémon, Smeargle has the chance to appear as a photobomb after the photo has been taken and processed.

When this happens, exit the Snapshot feature and look at your Pokémon GO map, as Smeargle has the chance to spawn nearby after appearing as a photobomb. When you find Smeargle as a wild Pokémon, tap on the Pokémon to begin the catch encounter. 

Once you catch them, they’ll be added to your inventory and your Pokédex. You can also take full photos of them using the Snapshot feature, rather than waiting for them to appear as a random photobomb.