So, you're back in Alola. Maybe you're doing a nostalgia run, or maybe you finally decided to finish that Living Dex before the 3DS online legacy feels even more like a distant memory. Whatever the reason, you've probably realized that catching everything manually is a massive chore. That is exactly why QR codes Pokemon Ultra Moon remains one of the most clever, if slightly clunky, features Game Freak ever shoved into a handheld title. It’s not just about scanning random boxes on your cereal; it’s a specific mechanical loophole that lets you bypass the standard encounter tables of the Alolan islands.
Let's be real: the GTS (Global Trade System) is currently a nightmare of hacked mons and game-freezing glitches. Relying on trades is risky. Using the Island Scan feature via QR codes is basically the only "legit" way to snag non-Alolan starters and rare classics like Charmander, Honedge, or Deino without needing a second DS or a time machine.
How the Island Scan Actually Works (And Why People Mess It Up)
The system is pretty straightforward, but it has these weird little timers that trip people up. Basically, your Rotom Dex has a scanner. You point your 3DS camera at any 2D barcode—literally anything from a bag of chips to a specialized Magearna code—and the game "reads" it. Every scan gives you 10 points. Once you hit 100 points, you get one use of the Island Scan.
Here is the kicker: the Pokemon you find depends entirely on which island you are standing on and what day of the week it is in your system clock. If you scan 100 points on Melemele Island on a Friday, you’re going to find a Squirtle. Do it on a Saturday? You get Litwick.
I've seen so many players waste their 100-point charge because they didn't realize the "encounter" only lasts for one hour. One hour! If you get distracted by a cutscene or wander into a long trainer battle, you lose the window. And since you only regenerate one scan every two hours (it takes 20 hours to fully recharge your 10-scan limit), a wasted scan feels like a punch in the gut.
The Magearna Exception
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the weekly rotations, we have to talk about the "Special" QR codes. Unlike the random ones that just give you points, there are specific codes meant for Mythical distributions. The Magearna QR code is the most famous one. Interestingly, it isn't region-locked in the traditional sense, but you do have to be the Alola Champion to actually trigger the deliveryman at Antiquities of the Ages in Hau'oli City. It’s one of the few ways to get a "permanent" Mythical that doesn't expire like a Mystery Gift event.
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Finding the Good Stuff: The Tuesday/Thursday Meta
If you're hunting for competitive viability or just cool designs, you can't just scan whenever you feel like it. You have to plan. QR codes Pokemon Ultra Moon players usually aim for specific days.
Take Tuesday on Poni Island. That’s where you find Dragonair. Everyone wants a Dragonite, obviously. But if you're on Akala Island on a Tuesday, you're looking at Ralts. See the difference? One is a late-game powerhouse; the other is a psychic staple you can get relatively early.
On Thursdays, the game gets even better.
- Melemele Island gives you Kanto Starter Bulbasaur.
- Akala Island offers up Honedge (Aegislash is still a beast, even with the Gen 8 nerfs).
- Ula'ula Island hides Chesnaught's first form, Chespin.
- Poni Island features Eelektross's pre-evolution, Tynamo.
It’s a weirdly diverse mix. It feels less like a structured Pokedex and more like a grab-bag of "Greatest Hits" from previous generations. Honestly, it's kind of refreshing compared to the rigid "Route 1 has birds, Route 2 has bugs" structure we've lived with since 1996.
Hidden Abilities and the "Only One" Rule
Here is a nuance that frustrates a lot of people: Island Scan Pokemon cannot have their Hidden Abilities. I know, it sucks. If you were hoping to scan your way to a Protean Greninja (Froakie appears on Poni Island on Wednesdays), you're out of luck. They also won't have any special egg moves unless they happen to be part of their base level-up set at that encounter level.
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Also, you only get one encounter per scan. You run into the tall grass, the music changes, the shadow appears, and that's it. If you accidentally KO the Pokemon or run away, the scan is consumed and the Pokemon is gone until you charge up another 100 points. I always tell people to bring a "Catcher Smeargle" or a Gallade with False Swipe and Hypnosis. Don't risk a critical hit ruining your Thursday Bulbasaur hunt.
The "Wonder QR" Glitch and Exploits
Technically, you don't need "Pokemon" QR codes to make this work. Any QR code works. You can find "Wonder QR" databases online that provide codes worth 20 points instead of 10, which cuts your scanning time in half. Some players even use QR generators to create random patterns that the 3DS recognizes.
Is it cheating? Not really. The game is designed to accept any data string. The real "pro tip" here involves the system clock. While Nintendo generally hates it when you mess with the 3DS clock (it usually freezes time-based events for 24 hours), the Island Scan is a bit more forgiving if you know how to buffer the saves. However, I wouldn't recommend it. It's easier to just pull up a 20-point QR gallery on your phone, blast through five scans, and go hunt.
Maximizing Your Efficiency in Ultra Moon
To really make the most of QR codes Pokemon Ultra Moon, you should treat it like a daily ritual rather than a grind.
First, get your 10 scans done while you're eating breakfast or watching a video. It takes maybe two minutes. Second, check your location. You don't want to be stuck on Melemele Island if the Pokemon you actually need is on Poni Island, especially since Poni Island isn't fully accessible until much later in the game.
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Third—and this is the part people forget—check your Pokedex "Seen" list. Scanning a QR code for a Pokemon you haven't caught yet actually adds it to your Pokedex as "Seen." This is incredibly helpful for looking up exactly where a specific Alolan Pokemon spawns. If you're struggling to find a Dhelmise or a Mimikyu, scanning their specific QR code (which you can find in community spreadsheets) will show you their habitat on the map. It's like a GPS for rare spawns.
Why This Feature Was Abandoned
It's a bit sad, but Game Freak didn't bring this back for Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet. They moved toward Raids and the "Area Zero" style of spawning. The QR system was a product of its time—a way to use the 3DS hardware's camera in a way that felt "integrated."
But honestly? I miss it. There was something satisfying about the tactile nature of scanning a code and seeing a rare Pokemon pop up in the Alolan wild. It made the world feel bigger, like there were secrets hidden in plain sight.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you are looking to complete your Alolan journey, follow this sequence to save yourself hours of frustration:
- Bookmark a 20-point QR Gallery: Don't waste time with 10-point codes. Find a "Wonder QR" list specifically for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- Sync with the Day: If it's Sunday, head to Ula'ula Island to grab a Rhyhorn. If it’s Monday, hit Melemele for a Squirtle.
- Prepare the "Capture Lead": Put a Pokemon with False Swipe and a status move (Sleep is better than Paralysis for catch rates) in your first slot.
- Save BEFORE You Scan: Once you trigger the Island Scan, the timer starts. Save your game before you hit that "R" button to start the scan. If you mess up the catch, you can't just reload the save to get the scan back (the points will be gone), but it's good practice for general stability.
- Check for Magearna: If you haven't done it yet, find the Magearna QR code online. It’s a free Level 50 Mythical. Even in 2026, it's one of the easiest "high-tier" Pokemon to add to your collection.
The Island Scan isn't just a gimmick; it's a vital tool for anyone who wants a "full" experience in Ultra Moon without the headache of tracking down 10-year-old event distributions. Start scanning, watch the clock, and you'll have those rare starters in your boxes by the end of the week.