You're wandering around Melemele Island. Your Pokedex is looking a bit thin, and honestly, you're tired of seeing the same Yungoos and Pikipek over and over again. Then you remember that little QR scanner feature tucked away in the menu. You scan a few random codes from the back of a cereal box or a Google image search, and suddenly, the game tells you a rare Pokemon has appeared. That's the magic of the Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Island Scan, a feature that feels like a cheat code but is actually a totally legit way to snag some of the coolest monsters in the series.
It’s weird.
The Alola region is beautiful, sure, but the encounter tables can feel a bit restrictive if you're just stickin' to the tall grass. Island Scan breaks those rules. It lets you find Johto starters, Sinnoh powerhouses, and even Kanto classics that have no business being in Alola. If you aren't using this, you're basically playing the game on hard mode for no reason.
How the Island Scan actually works (and why it's kind of a grind)
Most people think you just scan a code and get a Pokemon. Not quite. You need points. Specifically, you need 100 points. Each QR code you scan gives you 10 or 20 points, and you can only store 10 scans at a time. It takes two hours for a single scan slot to regenerate. This means if you burn all ten, you're waiting 20 hours to do a full 100-point burst again. It’s a slow burn.
Once you hit that 100-point mark, you trigger the scan. The game looks at which island you’re currently standing on and what day of the week it is. It then spawns a specific, non-Alolan Pokemon somewhere on that island for exactly one hour.
You have one shot.
If you accidentally knock it out, it’s gone. You can't just run around and find another one. You’d have to wait for that specific day to roll around again next week and charge up another 100 points. It’s high stakes for a handheld game.
The Melemele Island lineup
If you’re just starting your journey, Melemele is where you'll spend your first few points. On Sundays, you can find Cyndaquil at Route 3. Imagine starting your Alolan adventure with a Typhlosion later on. Pretty sweet, right? Mondays give you Totodile at Seaward Cave, and Tuesdays offer Deino at Ten Carat Hill.
Wait.
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Deino? A pseudo-legendary dragon available before you've even finished the first island? That’s the kind of power creep Island Scan introduces. It’s awesome. Wednesdays bring Horsea to Kala’e Bay, Thursdays have Klink at Hau’oli City, Fridays offer Chikorita at Route 2, and Saturdays give you Litwick at Hau’oli Cemetery.
It’s a diverse mix. You get a fire-breathing starter, a literal chandelier, and a dragon.
Akala Island is where things get serious
Once you move to Akala Island, the power level spikes. On Sundays, you’re looking at Gothita in Memorial Hill. Mondays bring Spheal to Route 7. But the real prize for many is Tuesday: Luxio at Route 8. Everyone loves Luxray. It’s a fan favorite for a reason.
Wednesdays feature Honedge at Heahea Beach. Aegislash is a competitive monster, even in a casual playthrough. Having a Steel/Ghost type early on trivializes a lot of the Totem fights. Thursdays have Venipede at Route 4, Fridays give you Bellsprout at Route 5, and Saturdays offer Marill at Brooklet Hill.
Honestly, the variety here is better than half the "official" routes in the game. You're pulling from different generations, different niches, and different playstyles.
Ula'ula Island and the endgame prep
By the time you hit Ula'ula, you’re likely looking for heavy hitters. Sundays on Ula'ula Island feature Swinub at Tapu Village. Mamoswine is a beast. Don't sleep on it. Mondays have Pignite at Malie City, and Tuesdays bring Duosion to the same spot.
Wednesdays are for Roselia at Ula'ula Meadow. Thursdays? Staravia at Route 10. Staraptor is arguably one of the best "regional birds" ever designed, and getting it here feels like a gift. Fridays offer Vigoroth at Route 11, and Saturdays bring Axew to Mount Hokulani.
Think about that. Haxorus is one of the most terrifying physical attackers in the game. You can catch an Axew, train it up, and basically sweep the Elite Four.
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Poni Island: The Masters Class
Poni Island is the final frontier. The Pokemon here are usually higher level and often fully evolved. Sundays give you Eelektross at Poni Grove. No weaknesses? Yes, please. Mondays feature Aggron at Poni Canyon. If you need a physical wall, that’s your guy.
Tuesdays are for Rotom at Poni Gauntlet. This is huge because Rotom is incredibly versatile. Wednesdays offer Leavanny at Poni Meadow, Thursdays bring Chesnaught to Exeggutor Island, Fridays have Delphox at Ancient Poni Path, and Saturdays feature Greninja at Poni Wilds.
Yes, you can catch a wild Greninja. It won't have the Battle Bond ability (that's exclusive to the special demo Ash-Greninja), but it's still a Greninja. It’s fast, it hits hard, and it looks cool.
What most people get wrong about Island Scan
A common misconception is that you can get Hidden Abilities through Island Scan. You can't. These Pokemon will always have their standard abilities. If you’re looking for a Protean Greninja, you’re out of luck here. You’ll have to breed for that or use an Ability Patch in a later generation.
Also, these Pokemon don't have "calls for help." You can't chain them for shinies or better IVs using the SOS method. What you see is what you get. However, they do come with a special "egg move" already learned. This is a massive deal.
For example, the Litwick you catch on Melemele Island will know Clear Smog. The Deino will know Assurance. These are moves they normally wouldn't learn until much later, or only through breeding. It gives these specific encounters a bit of an edge over a standard catch.
The QR Code "Shortcut"
You don't need to find 100 unique QR codes. You can find a "Special QR Code" online—like the one for Magearna—which gives you 20 points instead of the usual 10. There are also giant grids of QR codes available on Reddit and various fan sites. You can just pull one up on your computer and rapid-fire scan them with your 3DS.
It feels a bit meta, sure. But if you want that Totodile before dinner, it’s the way to go.
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Why the Island Scan matters in 2026
You might be wondering why anyone still cares about Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Island Scan when we have newer games on the Switch. The answer is simple: completionism and the "National Dex" feel.
Modern Pokemon games have moved away from having every single Pokemon available. The 3DS era was the last time we really felt like we could "catch 'em all" in a single ecosystem. Island Scan was a bridge. It allowed players to bring in favorites without needing to transfer them from older games via Poke Transporter.
For a lot of us, there's a certain nostalgia for the 3DS. The dual screens, the 3D effect (which most people turned off, let's be real), and the specific chime of the QR scanner. It’s a vibe.
Maximizing your Island Scan efficiency
If you want to be smart about this, don't just scan whenever you feel like it. Plan your week. Look at your team's weaknesses.
- Check the day: Don't trigger a scan at 11:55 PM on a Tuesday if you actually wanted the Wednesday Pokemon. The spawn is tied to the moment you press the button.
- Stock up on balls: Since you only get one chance, bring Ultra Balls or Timer Balls. Don't risk a "cool" Poke Ball catch unless you’ve paralyzed the thing or put it to sleep.
- Use False Swipe: This is non-negotiable. Bring a Smeargle or a Decidueye with False Swipe to get that HP down to 1 without killing it.
- Sync your Nature: If you have a Pokemon with the Synchronize ability (like Abra) at the front of your party, there's a 50% chance the Island Scan Pokemon will have the same Nature. This is crucial for making these Pokemon actually usable in battle.
The missed opportunity of the Pokedex
One annoying thing? These Pokemon don't actually appear in the Alola Pokedex. When you catch them, they'll have a blank entry or just show up in your boxes. It’s a bit of a bummer for those who like seeing those "Registered!" stamps.
But think of them as "exotic" species. They are visitors to the islands. They don't belong in the local encyclopedia, and that makes them feel a bit more special. They are your secret weapons.
The Island Scan is a testament to a specific era of Pokemon design where the developers wanted to reward you for interacting with the real world (via QR codes) and sticking with the game daily. It’s not perfect—the 20-hour wait is a bit much—but it’s a feature that adds layers to an already dense pair of games.
If you're dusting off your 3DS for a replay, make sure you're scanning. That Aegislash or Mamoswine might just be the MVP of your Hall of Fame run.
To get the most out of your next session, pull up a daily spawn calendar and set a timer on your phone for your next 100-point recharge. Focus on Poni Island if you're in the post-game, as the fully evolved starters like Delphox and Chesnaught are excellent for completing your collection or building new competitive sets. Make sure your lead Pokemon has the Synchronize ability to lock in a useful Nature, or you'll likely end up with a Modest Aggron, which helps nobody.