Pokémon GO released in the UK on iPhone and Android officially

For days now, social media has been rife with images of budding Pokémon trainers catching the likes of Charmander, Pikachu, and Squirtle in their local areas.

But while new app Pokémon GO has caused an online frenzy, the app was previously unavailable in the UK – until now.

While some fans managed to find ways to get the app early following its launch in the US, New Zealand, and Australia, it has now been unleashed on iPhone and Android in the UK.

The app takes the monster-catching concept of the original Pokémon Game Boy titles, this year marking their 20 year anniversary, and places it in the real world on users’ phones.

The game presents budding trainers with a map of their local surroundings, and features markers pointing out nearby Pokémon (pocket monsters, to the uninitiated), Pokéstops, and Pokémon gyms.

When confronted with a Pokémon, users can look through the camera on their phone to see the creature and attempt to catch it with Pokéballs.

The app has already proved hugely popular, being installed on over 5% of all Android phones in the US – more than dating app Tinder.