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How to use Incense in Pokemon Go, where to find them, and what they do

July 29, 2025

How to use Incense in Pokemon Go

Using Incense in Pokemon Go is actually very easy. Just follow these steps:

Once you’ve activated your Incense, your Pokemon Go character will have a pinkish-purple mist swirling around them. That indicates that the Incense is currently active. On top of that, you’ll see the Incense icon in the top right corner of the screen with a timer. Incense last for 30 minutes.

pokemon go incense

You’ll want to plan your incense use for when you can dedicate a full 30 minutes to the game. The timer goes down even if you’re not actively playing. That means closing down the game doesn’t stop the timer. Server issues, closing the game to accept a phone call, or your battery dying isn’t going to stop it either. In fact, nothing stops the timer so be ready to waste some of it if you have to close out the game.

Where to find Incense in Pokemon Go

Incense are one of the rarer items in Pokemon Go and they don’t come around very often. Here are a list of places where you may expect to find one:

Incense are rare which means that it makes sense that they’re a little difficult to find (or cost real money). The very best way to get them is to take over Pokemon Go gyms. Once per day, you can “cash in” in the Shop and you’ll receive 10 Pokecoins for each gym your Pokemon are at. For instance, if you end a day with three Pokemon on three different gyms, you’ll receive 30 Pokecoins when you cash in. It is important to note that you can only “cash in” once per day. This is the most consistent and effective way to get Incense without spending money.

Pokemon Go Incense 3 Main Screen Map Radar

What do Incense do in Pokemon Go

The core idea of an Incense is to bring Pokemon to your location. They are popular because Pokemon will show up without you having to go outside, move around, or do anything special. There are a few fun facts to note when it comes to using Incense:

There is a lot of hearsay going on with Pokemon Go which makes definitive information a little harder to nail down. However, Incense are pretty clear cut. They draw Pokemon to your location and they are rare and difficult to find. That makes them not only valuable, but also essential for Pokemon Go trainers. If you have any Incense-related stories or rumors, feel free to post them in the comments!

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