The "Pokemon Go" Buddy feature is now available to iOS users. Niantic Labs currently lets iPhone and iPad users add a preferred buddy to accompany "Pokemon Go" trainers wherever they go. The update also includes bug fixes and added support.
Pocket-Lint wrote that in "Pokemon Go" the buddy system allows players to choose a Pokemon that they can take with them while collecting other Pokemon and traveling from one place to another. The "Pokemon Go" buddy will appear with the trainer and will also be useful in collecting candy. As soon as players select their Pokemon buddy, they can walk certain distances to earn particular candy to evolve the chosen creature. This means that players can improve their chosen Pokemon faster by collecting candy specific to its evolution.
The buddy feature in "Pokemon Go" provides a great alternative to powering up Pokemon instead of capturing Pokemon of the same kind. The type of Pokemon chosen to be a buddy will determine the total kilometers needed to walk before Candies can be earned. Simpler "Pokemon Go" characters will only need 1km worth of walking to earn Candies, while uncommon Pokemon may require 3km or 5km.
To pick a buddy in "Pokemon Go" iOS, players have to click on their trainer avatar found at the bottom left portion of the app. Hit the menu button and "buddy" will be included in the options. The buddy selection page will appear where players can tap and choose their "Pokemon Go" companion. The buddy can be changed anytime, although substituting will lose any distance already covered. Players are advised to change their buddy only after earning Candies for the character.
BGR reported that to determine how much distance is needed to earn Candies with the "Pokemon Go" buddy, players should tap their character avatar. Tap on the picture with the buddy and go through the buddy page, which will show the total distance walked and the remaining distance needed to earn Candy. The new update is also expected to provide new bug fixes and support for the upcoming game system, Pokemon Go Plus. More updates and details on "Pokemon Go" are expected soon.