Pokemon Ultra Island Scan: How to Find the Rarest Spawns Without Wasting QR Points

You're wandering around Poni Island, your Pokedex is looking decent, but you've got this nagging feeling you’re missing the heavy hitters. You are. Honestly, if you aren’t using the pokemon ultra island scan feature in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you’re basically playing half a game. It’s the difference between catching another Pelipper and stumbling onto a Level 60 Dragonite or a starter from a completely different region.

It's a weird mechanic. Basically, the game lets you scan real-world QR codes using your 3DS camera to earn "points." Once you hit 100 points, you trigger the Island Scan. But here’s the kicker: the Pokemon that appears depends entirely on which island you’re standing on and what day of the week it is in your game's clock. If you mess up the timing or run out of Repels, you’ve wasted hours of point-gathering.

Why the Island Scan is Actually Better in the Ultra Versions

In the original Sun and Moon, the Island Scan was cool, sure. But the "Ultra" sequels dialed it up to eleven. We’re talking about high-level encounters that actually matter for your competitive team or your Living Dex.

Most people don't realize that the level scaling in pokemon ultra island scan is significantly higher than the base games. You can find a Charmander on Melemele Island at level 12, but by the time you reach Poni Island, you're looking at things like Eelektross or Aggron at levels where they’re actually usable. It saves you an ungodly amount of Rare Candies and grinding.

The point system is the first hurdle. You get 10 points for a standard QR code and 20 points for "Special" QR codes. You can find these online—pretty much any image search for "Pokemon QR codes" will give you a gallery of sprites that work. Don't stress about finding "official" ones. Your 3DS doesn't care if the code came from a bag of chips or a Magearna event distribution. It just wants the data.

The Saturday Charizard Myth and Reality

People always ask about the starters. Can you get them? Yeah. Is it easy? Sorta.

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On Saturdays in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Melemele Island gives you a chance to catch a Bulbasaur. It’s not just a "maybe" spawn; if you trigger the scan on Saturday on that specific island, the game forces that spawn into a specific patch of tall grass. You’ve got one hour. One. If you accidentally KO it or run away, it’s gone until you farm another 100 points.

Knowing Your Location is Half the Battle

It isn't enough to just click the button. You have to be in the right spot. For example, if you’re hunting for Greninja (which, let’s be real, is why most people use this), you need to be on Poni Island on a Friday. Specifically, you need to head to Poni Wilds.

If you trigger the scan while you’re standing in Seafolk Village, the game will tell you the Pokemon is "somewhere" nearby. You then have to rush to the actual grass patches. Pro tip: Use a Max Repel before you start running through the grass. The Island Scan Pokemon is a "special" encounter, meaning it bypasses Repels, while the annoying local Zubats and Raticates will stay out of your way.

The Master Schedule for Pokemon Ultra Island Scan

I’ve seen a lot of people get frustrated because they think their game is glitched. Usually, they just have the day of the week wrong. Remember, the game uses your 3DS system clock. If you’ve been messing with your clock to cheat at Animal Crossing or something, your Island Scan might be locked out for 24 hours. Game Freak put that in to stop people from farming these rare spawns too quickly.

Melemele Island (The Early Game Haul)

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• Sunday: Cyndaquil (Noon Road) - Great if you want a Typhlosion early.
• Monday: Totodile (Seaward Cave) - Honestly, Feraligatr is a beast in this generation.
• Tuesday: Deino (Ten Carat Hill) - A nightmare to evolve, but worth it for Hydreigon.
• Wednesday: Horsea (Kala'e Bay) - You'll need to surf for this one.
• Thursday: Klink (Hau'oli City) - Good for the steel-type fans.
• Friday: Chickorita (Route 2) - Often overlooked, but Meganium is a tank.
• Saturday: Bulbasaur (Route 2) - The classic choice.

Akala Island (Mid-Game Power Ups)

• Monday: Spheal (Route 7) - Walrein is surprisingly good against the Elite Four.
• Wednesday: Honedge (Suburban Area) - Aegislash is literally one of the best Pokemon in the meta. Do not skip this.
• Friday: Mudkip (Route 5) - Everyone lies and says they pick the fire starter, but we all want Swampert.

Ula'ula Island (Where Things Get Serious)

• Tuesday: Solosis (Route 16) - Reuniclus is a psychic powerhouse.
• Thursday: Island Scan on this island often yields Rhyhorn (Blush Mountain). Rhyperior is a physical wall you definitely want.
• Saturday: Axew (Mount Hokulani) - Haxorus has a base Attack stat that should honestly be illegal.

Poni Island (The End-Game Elites)

• Wednesday: Eevee? No, that's a regular spawn. On Poni, the pokemon ultra island scan gives you the heavy hitters like Aggron or even Leavanny.
• Friday: Greninja (Poni Wilds). This is the big one. Everyone wants the ninja frog. It comes with its Hidden Ability occasionally? No, actually, that’s a common misconception. Island Scan Pokemon do not have their Hidden Abilities. You have to use an Ability Patch or find them through SOS chaining if you want the "broken" versions.

Advanced Tactics: Don't Waste Your Scans

You only get 10 scans stored at a time. Each scan regenerates every two hours. That means if you blow all 10, you are waiting 20 hours to do it again.

The Synchronize Trick
If you’re looking for a specific Nature (like a Timid Greninja or a Jolly Haxorus), put a Pokemon with the Synchronize ability at the front of your party. Abra, Ralts, or Espeon are perfect for this. There’s a 50% chance the Island Scan Pokemon will match that Nature. Since you only get one shot at the encounter per 100 points, these odds are way better than nothing.

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The "False Swipe" Necessity
These Pokemon aren't like the ones in the tall grass. They have lower catch rates generally. If you go in with a high-level team and accidentally crit a rare Squirtle, you’re going to be staring at your screen in silence for five minutes. Bring a Smeargle or a Decidueye with False Swipe.

Island Scan vs. SOS Chaining
Let's be clear: Island Scan Pokemon cannot call for help. You can't SOS chain them. This means you can't easily hunt for Shinies or 4-IV stats using the "call for help" mechanic. If you want a Shiny Island Scan Pokemon, you have to soft reset before you encounter it in the grass, which is incredibly tedious. Most hunters prefer Masuda Method breeding for these specific species once they’ve caught the parent via scan.

Common Mistakes People Make

I see this all the time on forums: "I scanned the code but the Pokemon didn't show up!"

Check your map. When you trigger the pokemon ultra island scan, a little blinking icon appears on your bottom screen. It tells you exactly which Route the Pokemon is on. If you are on Route 1 and the Pokemon is on Route 3, you have to physically travel there. The timer is ticking. If the hour runs out while you're fighting a random trainer on the way, you lose the encounter.

Another big one? Not having enough Poke Balls. You'd be surprised how many people hunt a level 60 Aggron with three Great Balls and a hope. Buy Ultra Balls in bulk. Or, better yet, use Timer Balls if the fight goes on for more than 10 turns.

The Magearna Shortcut

If you haven't done it yet, find the QR code for the Mythical Pokemon Magearna online. It’s a "Special" QR code that never expires. Scanning it doesn't just give you a free Mythical (at the antique shop in Hau'oli City); it also gives you a massive chunk of points toward your next Island Scan. It’s the fastest way to kickstart your hunting.

Actionable Steps for Your Next Session

1. Stock Up: Go to the Malie City or Hau'oli City Poke Mart. Buy 50 Ultra Balls and 20 Max Repels.
2. Synchronize: Grab an Alakazam or Gardevoir with the Nature you want for your target.
3. Charge the Scanner: Search for a "Pokemon QR Code Gallery" on your phone or laptop. Scan 10 codes until your meter hits 100.
4. Save the Game: This is the most important part. Save before you press the "Start Scan" button. If you mess up, you can't just reload to get the points back (the game saves the scan state), but you can reload to make sure you're positioned correctly.
5. Identify Your Target: Use the schedule above. If it’s Tuesday and you want a Greninja, you’re out of luck. Wait until Friday or change your 3DS clock (bearing in mind the 24-hour penalty).
6. Locate and Catch: Head to the island, trigger the scan, look at the flashing icon on the map, and get to that grass.

The pokemon ultra island scan is easily the best way to fill out a Pokedex with starters and rare fossils without having to trade with people online who want your firstborn child for a simple Chikorita. It takes a little bit of prep, but seeing that rare silhouette pop up in the Alolan tall grass is one of the most satisfying feelings in the 3DS era. Just remember to bring a Pokemon that knows False Swipe, or you'll be regretting that accidental "Extreme Speed" for a week.