The Dowsing Machine in Pokemon Pokopia locates buried items hidden inside ground blocks, and the thing nobody tells you is that it does not work on its own. You need a Pokemon with the Search specialty following you for it to do anything at all.
If yours seems broken, that is almost certainly why.
Two Ways to Get One
Complete Hitmonchan’s “Check what’s up there” request on the left side of Withered Wasteland. The machine sits in a yellow Poke Ball surrounded by rock blocks near the ruined Pokemon Center.
Or craft it at a Workbench for 1 Pokemetal. The recipe is bought from the Palette Town PC Shop at Level 2 for 500 Life Coins.
Crafting is worth it if you want a second one, but most players get theirs through Hitmonchan first.
Bring a Search Pokemon
Pidgey is the easy early option, and Vespiquen also has the Search specialty. Have one following you before you go hunting.
The way it works in practice is that you equip the machine from your inventory and walk around, watching your Pokemon for the signal that something is buried nearby. Once you have located a spot, Rock Smash the block to dig out what is inside.
You will see guides describing a specific button to hold and a beeping sound that speeds up as you close in. We have not been able to confirm that prompt from a reliable source, so treat it as unverified and go by your Pokemon’s behaviour instead.
What You Will Find
Ancient Artifacts, CDs, Mysterious Slates and Dolls, which matter because dolls are how you choose Dream Islands.
It is also the main route to fossils, so if you are working toward the Pokedex it is not optional.
One genuine hazard: some finds are Lost Relics that can detonate when unearthed. Do not dig one out in the middle of a habitat you have spent an hour landscaping.
There is no upgraded version of the machine documented, though completing the full 300-entry Pokedex reportedly unlocks a Neo Dowsing Machine recipe as part of the completion reward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Dowsing Machine not finding anything?
You need a Pokemon with the Search specialty following you. The machine does nothing without one.
How do I get the Dowsing Machine?
Complete Hitmonchan’s “Check what’s up there” request in Withered Wasteland, or craft it with 1 Pokemetal using the recipe sold at the Palette Town PC Shop for 500 Life Coins.
Which Pokemon have the Search specialty?
Pidgey is the common early option. Vespiquen also qualifies.
What does it find?
Ancient Artifacts, CDs, Mysterious Slates, Dolls and fossils. Some finds are Lost Relics that can explode.