How to Get Shiny Smeargle in Pokemon GO (2023)

I’ll be honest, I love Smeargle. I love its silly hat. Or is it a strange, hat-shaped growth? I love the controversy over whether it’s a sheep or a dog. I love how ridiculously hard it is to get in Pokemon GO. But if you want one for yourself, here’s how to get Shiny Smeargle in Pokemon GO.

How to Get Shiny Smeargle in Pokemon GO (2023)

There are many trainers who’ve gone entire years without ever laying eyes on Smeargle. That’s because, like many artists, it’s both reclusive and strange. It rarely makes public appearances, and when it does, you can be sure it’ll be memorable.

Smeargle only appears during special events, like the upcoming Festival of Colors event happening on March 8, 2023, at 10:00 AM to March 14, 2023, at 8:00 PM local time. During these events, Smeargle in both its standard and Shiny form can be found. But not through wild encounters or raids.

Instead, you’ll only be able to find Smeargle by taking photos. Here’s how it works.

During the event where Smeargle is active, navigate into your items. Scroll to the Camera in the Key Items part of your bag. Select it, then choose the Pokemon you want to take a picture of. It doesn’t matter which Pokemon!

Take a photo. You’ll immediately be able to inspect that photo by either pressing back or selecting its icon in the bottom right. When you inspect it, there will be a chance that Smeargle will have photobombed it.

Related: Pokemon GO Raid Boss Schedule (March 2023)

If Smeargle is in your photo, great! Exit out of the photo menu and Smeargle will appear in the Overworld. If Smeargle hasn’t Photobombed you, keep taking photos of your Pokemon until it appears.

As for how to catch Shiny Smeargle, it all boils down to luck. There’s a rumored 15 spawn cap on Smeargles during this event, and with the average Shiny rate being 1 in 500, odds aren’t in your favor. But if you begin your Shiny hunt on March 8 and utilize every day, you’ll still have a full week of Smeargle to try to farm.

Good luck! If you’re thinking about other rare Pokemon, here’s how to get Hawlucha in Pokemon GO.