You're wandering through the tall grass of Melemele Island, tired of seeing the same old Yungoos and Pikipek. It’s frustrating. You want something rare, something that shouldn’t even be in Alola. That’s where the Pokemon Island Scan Sun and Moon mechanic changes everything. Honestly, it’s one of the most underrated features Game Freak ever put into a handheld title. It feels like a cheat code, but it’s totally legit.
Back in 2016, when Pokemon Sun and Moon first launched on the 3DS, we were all trying to figure out how to get our hands on classic starters like Chikorita or powerhouses like Deino without waiting for the post-game or relying on the mess that was the Global Trade Station (GTS). The QR Scanner was the answer. It’s a weird, hybrid system that merges real-world interaction with in-game rewards. You scan a code—any code, really, even a barcode on a cereal box—and the game gives you points. Hit 100 points, and you trigger the Island Scan.
How the Island Scan Actually Works
It’s not random. People think it’s random, but it’s strictly tied to the day of the week and which island you are currently standing on. If you trigger an Island Scan on Melemele Island on a Friday, you are going to find a Squirtle (in Ultra Sun/Moon) or a Litwick (in the originals). Period.
The mechanic is basically a hunt against the clock. Once you fire it up, you have 60 minutes to find the rare Pokemon. It’ll appear in a specific patch of grass or a cave on your island. If you knock it out or run away? That's it. You've wasted your 100 points and have to wait for your scanner to recharge. It’s high stakes for a Pokemon game. It makes the encounter feel earned.
The QR Code Grind
You get 10 points per scan. Since you need 100 points to trigger the Pokemon Island Scan Sun and Moon event, you need 10 scans. The catch? You only get one scan every two hours. It’s a slow burn. Most players just wait until they have a full bank of 10 scans before they even bother.
But here is a pro tip that most people missed: the "Special QR Codes." While a normal barcode or a random QR code from a bag of chips gives you 10 points, there are specific Magearna or Poke-Dex completion codes that give you 20 points. It cuts the grind in half. If you're serious about filling that dex, you aren't scanning random stuff; you're looking for the high-value targets.
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Why You Should Care About the Alola Rare Spawns
Alola’s native Pokedex is cool, but it’s limited. The Island Scan is the only way to get "non-native" species without transferring them from Pokemon Bank. We’re talking about Johto starters, Sinnoh classics, and heavy hitters from Unova.
Take Kanto starters. Everyone wants a Charizard. In Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you can snag a Charmander on Melemele Island on a Sunday. This isn't just a trophy. These Pokemon often come with a special move that they wouldn't normally have at that level. For example, some of these spawns come with "Egg Moves" pre-loaded. It saves you hours of breeding. It’s a shortcut for competitive players and a delight for collectors.
The Daily Schedule: Who is Where?
If you want to master the Pokemon Island Scan Sun and Moon system, you need a calendar. You can't just wing it.
On Melemele Island, you're looking at things like Cyndaquil on Sundays or Totodile on Mondays. It’s a nostalgia trip. By the time you get to Akala Island, the stakes get higher. You can find Mimikyu’s predecessors or even things like Ralts.
Ula'ula Island is where the real power lies. This is where you find the heavyweights. Think Rhyhorn or Swinub. And Poni Island? That’s for the completionists. You're looking for Eelektross or Togekiss. Honestly, the distribution feels a bit lopsided, but it rewards you for progressing through the trials. You can't just sit on the first island and expect to catch a Level 50 Dragonite.
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The biggest mistake? Forgetting to save. Seriously. Save your game the second you hit that 100-point button. If you accidentally KO the Pokemon with a critical hit, you can’t just "try again" without reloading. The Island Scan is a one-shot deal per 100 points.
Another thing: Repels. People turn on a Max Repel because they don't want to deal with Zubats while looking for their rare spawn. Don't do that. The Island Scan Pokemon functions like a normal wild encounter. If your leading Pokemon is a higher level than the Island Scan target and you have a Repel on, you might never actually see the Pokemon you're looking for. It’s a tragic way to waste a scan.
Does the "Time Travel" Trick Work?
You might be tempted to change the clock on your 3DS to skip the 20-hour recharge time. Don’t. Nintendo was smart about this. If you change the system clock, the game detects it and freezes all time-based events for 24 to 48 hours. This includes the QR Scanner, the berry trees, and the shops. You'll end up waiting longer than if you had just been patient. Just play the game naturally. Let the scans refill while you're doing trials or Mantine Surfing.
The Hidden Value of the QR Scanner
Beyond just catching Pokemon, the QR Scanner serves another purpose: it registers the Pokemon as "Seen" in your Pokedex. Even if you don't catch the Pokemon during the Pokemon Island Scan Sun and Moon event, having it in your Dex allows you to look up its location or search for it specifically on the GTS.
Back when the GTS was the primary way to trade, you couldn't search for a Pokemon unless you had its name in your Dex or typed it in perfectly. The scan gives you that entry. It’s a gateway. It’s especially helpful for those pesky trade-evolutions or version exclusives that you can't find on your own.
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Evolution of the Mechanic
When Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon came out, Game Freak updated the list. They didn't just keep the same Pokemon; they swapped them out for even better options. This is why you see so much conflicting information online. A guide for the original Sun will tell you that Sunday on Melemele is Cyndaquil, but if you’re playing Ultra Sun, it’s Charmander.
Always double-check which version you are holding. The "Ultra" versions generally have better utility Pokemon—things that actually help you beat the Elite Four—whereas the original games focused more on the Johto and Unova starters.
Strategy for Maximum Efficiency
If you want to be a pro, you plan your week. Monday is for Totodile. Thursday is for Honedge (which is a beast in the Alola trials, by the way). You should be stockpiling your 10 scans every day.
- Prep your team: Bring a Pokemon with "False Swipe." You don't want to accidentally kill a 1-in-a-day spawn.
- Stock up on Nest Balls and Dusk Balls: These are often more effective than Ultra Balls depending on the level and the time of day.
- Check the location: Before you trigger the scan, make sure you actually have access to the area. If the Pokemon is in the Vast Poni Canyon and you haven't finished the third island, you're out of luck.
The Verdict on Island Scanning
Is it perfect? No. The 20-hour wait is a bit of a drag, and the fact that you only get one encounter per 100 points feels stingy by modern standards. But in the context of the 3DS era, it was a brilliant way to keep people engaged daily. It turned the game into a persistent world.
It also added a layer of community. We were all sharing QR codes on forums and Reddit, trying to find the ones that gave the most points. It felt like a global scavenger hunt.
Even now, years after the Switch has taken over, going back to Alola and hearing that "beep-beep-beep" of the scanner is satisfying. There’s a certain thrill to seeing a "rare" silhouette appear on your bottom screen. It breaks the monotony of the Alolan encounter tables and gives you a reason to explore every nook and cranny of the islands.
To get started with your own hunt, your first step should be to look up a reliable QR code database—there are several archived sites that host the "Full Pokedex" codes which give you 20 points per scan. Once you have those, check your in-game calendar. If it's a Wednesday and you're on Akala Island, get your Poke Balls ready for a Hoerubi or a Leavanny. Don't forget to save your game before hitting the scan button, and make sure your lead Pokemon is ready for a fight without being so strong that it one-shots your prize. Happy hunting.