Warning: The following steps involve modifying application files. Proceed at your own risk. Niantic actively bans accounts using modified clients.
Step 1: Locate the PGSharp Portable Data Folder
Unlike the standard version which stores data in /data/data/com.nianticlabs.pokemongo/, the portable version often stores custom files in:
If using an emulator, this folder is usually accessible via the emulator’s shared folder system.
Step 2: Backup Existing Shinydat File (If Present)
Navigate to the Data folder and look for a file named shiny.dat or shinydata.bin. Rename it to shiny.dat.bak to keep a backup.
Step 3: Copy the New Shinydat File
Take your downloaded .shinydat file and copy it into the same directory. Ensure the filename matches exactly what PGSharp expects—usually shiny.dat or shiny.db. shinydat file for pgsharp portable
Step 4: Set File Permissions To ensure PGSharp can read the file:
Step 5: Clear PGSharp Cache Go to device Settings > Apps > PGSharp > Storage > Clear Cache (not Clear Data). This forces the app to reload the shiny database.
Step 6: Launch PGSharp Portable Open PGSharp. If the ShinyDat file is compatible, you should see shiny indicators (stars, color changes) on the map for eligible Pokémon.
In this guide, we have provided an overview of the SHINY DAT file format used in PGSharp Portable. We have also offered insights into how to work with SHINY DAT files, including reading, parsing, modifying, and generating new records. By following the steps outlined in this guide, developers can create their own tools and utilities for working with SHINY DAT files. If using an emulator, this folder is usually
One of the coolest tricks for power users is syncing this file across devices. If you play on a tablet at home and a phone on the go, you can copy the shiny.dat file from one to the other. It keeps your hunting efficiency consistent across all your hardware.
Use a binary reader to read and parse the SHINY DAT file. You can use libraries like System.IO.BinaryReader in C# to achieve this.
Q1: Can I use a Shinydat file on iOS? No. PGSharp is Android-only. iOS users must use iPoGo or Signulous, which have different file structures.
Q2: Do I need root access to install a Shinydat file for PGSharp Portable? Usually, no. The portable version stores data in user-accessible folders. However, if PGSharp is installed as a system app, root may be required. Step 5: Clear PGSharp Cache Go to device
Q3: How often is a Shinydat file updated? Community-driven files are updated whenever a new shiny is released. This could be weekly, monthly, or never. Always check the file’s "Last Updated" date.
Q4: Will PGSharp Portable work without a Shinydat file? Absolutely. The app works perfectly fine for teleporting, auto-walking, and quick catching. The ShinyDat file only adds the shiny overlay feature.
Q5: Can I create my own Shinydat file? Theoretically, yes—by reverse-engineering PGSharp’s database schema and compiling a list of shiny IDs from game masters. In practice, this requires advanced coding knowledge and is not recommended.
A shinydat file is a structured configuration/data file used by PGSharp (an Android spoofing/augmented-movement tool for Pokémon GO) to store game state, location profiles, IV/CP presets, or custom spawn/encounter information. In portable distributions, shinydat acts as the local dataset the app reads/writes without requiring system-level install or cloud sync. Format is typically plain text or JSON-like key/value pairs depending on PGSharp version; some builds use proprietary encoding or light compression.
