How to send Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME step by step

If you've been playing Pokémon GO for a while, you've probably felt that some of your creatures deserve a more permanent home than just the game's storage box. Thanks to Pokémon HOME, the official cloud bank of the sagaYou can gather a large part of your collection in one place and, in many cases, transfer it to the main Nintendo Switch games. However, the process has its nuances, and not everyone knows exactly how it works.

In this guide you will find explained Everything you need to send Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOMEHow to link accounts, how to use GO Transporter and its energy, what limitations exist, which Pokémon can't be transferred, how to claim creatures in HOME, and even an advanced trick to move certain Pokémon from GO to games like Sword, Shield, or Shining Pearl when they seem locked. Let's get down to business.

What is Pokémon HOME and how does it relate to Pokémon GO?

Pokémon HOME is a Cloud storage service available for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices which acts as the central bank for the series. The idea is very simple: to gather most of your Pokémon from different compatible games in one place, manage them conveniently, and, when the game allows it, move them between titles.

In the specific case of Pokémon GO, the relationship is one-way shippingYou can transfer Pokémon from GO to HOME, but there's no option to return them to Pokémon GO once the transfer is complete. This is crucial because any transfer you make will be... final and irreversibleSo it's important to choose very carefully which creatures you're going to send.

For this connection to work, it is mandatory Link your Pokémon GO account to the Nintendo account that uses Pokémon HOMEFrom that moment on, you will open a direct channel between both applications that will allow you to send Pokémon using the so-called GO Transporter, an internal transfer system that runs on energy.

Another important advantage is that You don't need a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription Nor is a premium Pokémon HOME plan required to send Pokémon from Pokémon GO. The connection is available to any player who meets the basic requirements and has both apps properly configured.

Requirements to activate the connection between Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME

Before you start shipping, you should be aware that there are some Minimum requirements to activate the connection between Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOMEThey are quite simple, but if you fail at any of them, the system will not let you link the accounts.

First of all, you need a Active Nintendo accountThis is the same account you'll use to log in to Pokémon HOME, and you'll need to select it within Pokémon GO when you link your account. It's crucial that you log in correctly, as The Nintendo account for Pokémon GO must be the same as the one for Pokémon HOME. wherever you want to receive the Pokémon.

You also need to have the Pokémon HOME application set up and associated with that Nintendo accountYou can use the mobile version or the Nintendo Switch version (or both), but the account must be created and linked to your Nintendo user account.

Once these preliminary steps are completed, the option to connect to Pokémon HOME will be enabled in Pokémon GO's settings menu. From there, you can access the specific sending section and... Go Transporter, the virtual device that allows you to transfer creatures.

Keep in mind that the Pokémon you send to HOME They can't go back to Pokémon GOIn other words, it's not a two-way system, but a permanent transfer. If you transfer a Pokémon that you later miss in GO, there's no official way to get it back in that game.

How to link your Pokémon GO account with Pokémon HOME step by step

The first practical step is to link your accounts. The process is quick, but it's best to do it carefully to ensure everything is linked correctly. These are the steps to follow within Pokémon GO:

• Open Pokémon GO and tap the Poké Ball which appears at the bottom of the map screen to access the main menu.
• In the upper right corner, tap Options to enter the game settings menu.
• Scroll down until you find the section Pokémon HOME and play it.
• Choose Log In and enter your Nintendo Account details associated with Pokémon HOME.

Once you successfully complete the login, the applications will be persistently linkedYour basic HOME account information, such as your username and ID, will appear in the corresponding section of the Pokémon GO options menu and will be saved until you decide to log out.

It is advisable to check that The username and ID displayed in Pokémon GO exactly match those of your Pokémon HOME account.This ensures you're sending the creatures to the correct location and not to a different profile you might have accidentally created.

Once the connection is established, from the Pokémon HOME section of the options menu you can press on Ship Pokémon to start the transfer process, which is managed through the GO Transferor.

How the GO Transporter and GO Transporter Energy work

The GO Transporter is the internal system that Pokémon GO uses to move your creatures from the game to Pokémon HOMEIt is not a physical object or a backpack item, but an integrated function that consumes a kind of virtual "fuel" called GO Transporter Energy (GTE).

This GO Transporter Energy is a limited resource: You start with a bar of up to 10.000 energy points. This energy will be used up each time you send Pokémon. Each creature has its own energy cost, which depends on factors such as its species, whether it's shiny, whether it's legendary, etc. The game will show you how much energy you'll use before confirming the send.

When you use some of that energy, the Portkey doesn't remain locked forever; on the contrary, It recharges automatically over timeThe base recharge rate is 1 energy point per minute, which means that to fully recover the 10.000 points you need approximately 6 days, 22 hours and 40 minutes without spending any more energy.

If you don't want to wait that long, the game lets you recharge instantly using PokéCoinsThe relationship is simple: 10 energy points for every PokéCoin spent. That is, if you need to restore the entire bar from 0 to 10.000, you will have to spend 1.000 PokéCoins.

The practical operation is as follows: you access the option of Ship Pokémon Within the Pokémon HOME section of GO's settings, you check the available energy and estimated recharge time, select which Pokémon you want to transfer, and confirm the energy usage. If you accept, GO Transporter will consume the corresponding amount and proceed to send the selected Pokémon to HOME.

GO Transporter energy cost by Pokémon type

Each shipment you make will consume a specific amount of ETG depending on the Pokémon's characteristics. While the exact values ​​may vary according to the game's internal tables, the general idea is that "Special" Pokémon (shiny, legendary, unique, etc.) require more energy than ordinary Pokémon.

For example, a common Pokémon with nothing remarkable consumes very few power pointsallowing you to send a good number of them with a single 10.000 charge. In contrast, a legendary, a rare, or a shiny can cost much more, so in a single transfer you could run out of energy if you select too many special specimens.

Before confirming the shipment, the game itself will show you a summary with the list of selected Pokémon and the total energy cost of moving themThere you'll see how much ETG you need and you can decide if it's worth it right now or if you'd rather wait for it to recharge or get more PokéCoins.

This system makes you have to plan your moves a little.It's not the same to dedicate all your energy to a single shiny legendary Pokémon as it is to prefer transferring many regular Pokémon to free up space in GO and complete your collection in HOME.

In any case, as long as you have enough ETG to cover the total cost of the selected Pokémon, you can proceed with the transfer without problems.

How to send Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME

Once the accounts are linked and you understand the energy system, you can take action. The process for Send Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME It is done entirely within the GO app and consists of several clear steps.

• Sign in Options From the Pokémon GO home screen, select the section Pokémon HOME.
• Press on Ship Pokémon (If the accounts are already linked, it will take you to the next menu).
• The game will show you how much How much energy does your GO Transporter have left and how long is left to fully recharge?Click Continue if you agree.
• Select the Pokémon you want to transfer to HOME from the list. You can select multiple Pokémon at once, as long as you have enough ETG.
• Confirm your selection: you will be shown the total amount of energy that will be consumed. If everything is correct, press [button name]. Move to complete the shipment.

When you accept, the Pokémon will be removed from your GO box and will be available to be received in Pokémon HOME. Additionally, for each Pokémon transferred, you will receive 1 candy of the corresponding species as a rewardwhich is great for you to continue powering up other specimens of that same species in Pokémon GO.

It's crucial to thoroughly review the list before pressing the final button, because Pokémon that have been sent will never be able to return to Pokémon GOIf you make a mistake and send one you didn't mean to, there's no official way to undo the transfer.

How to receive Pokémon in Pokémon HOME after shipping

Once you've used GO Transporter, Pokémon won't automatically appear in your HOME boxes. They'll be placed in a sort of receiving "queue" that you have to... Claim manually from Pokémon HOMEThe procedure is very simple.

• Open the app Pokémon HOME on your mobile (or on the platform you use).
• Upon startup, a message should appear indicating that A connection with Pokémon GO has been detected and that there are Pokémon ready to receive.
• Select option Yes to accept the transfer.
• Then tap on View transferred Pokémon and then on Receive Pokémon to complete the process and have them go to your boxes.

If you accidentally touch No And if you reject the initial message, you don't lose the Pokémon. You can close the app, reopen it, and Repeat the process until you accept the receiptAnother option is to go directly to the HOME options menu: enter Options > Connect with Pokémon GO > Receive Pokémon and follow the instructions to retrieve that pending shipment.

Also keep in mind that if you still have Unclaimed Pokémon in HOME from a previous transferYou won't be able to send new Pokémon from GO until you've received them all. This is to prevent too many unmanaged transfers from piling up.

Before accepting the transfer, you should check the available space in your Pokémon HOME boxesIf you don't have enough slots, you won't be able to complete the reception and you'll have to free up space by moving or transferring Pokémon within HOME itself.

Pokémon that cannot be sent from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME

Not all Pokémon you have in GO are eligible to be transferred to HOME. There's a fairly clear list of Pokémon types that the game automatically blocks and does not allow selection on the GO Portkey screen. It's important to know them so you don't drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why a particular creature isn't among the options.

Among the Pokémon that cannot be sent The following can be found in Pokémon HOME from GO:

• Spinda.
• The Pokémon you have marked as favorites.
• Tu Buddy Pokémon figure.
• The Pokémon that are Defending Gyms at that moment.
• The Pokémon with costumes or special outfits.
• Pokémon in state darkness (Shadow).
• The Pokémon that are mega-evolved at that moment.

Besides those, there are other special cases. For example, Gigantamax Pokémon cannot be sent to HOME and the Pokémon captured with Special event Poké Balls, such as GO Safari BallsThey are also excluded from the transfer.

As for Lucky and Purified Pokémon, be very careful because, although they can be transferred, They lose their special status upon arriving HOMELucky Pokémon lose their lucky status and Purified Pokémon lose their Purified status, so you'll have to decide if it's worth it or if you prefer to keep them in GO with that status.

There are also several cases where, even though the Pokémon can send them, it can change shape during the journeySome known concrete examples are:

• Giratina Origin Form happens to be Giratina Modified Form in HOME.
• Cherrim Sunny Shape becomes Cherrim Hooded Form.
• Castform Sun, Rain or Snow They transform into Castform in their normal form.

As new Pokémon and new forms are added to Pokémon GO, The list of restrictions and form changes may be expandedTherefore, the transfer confirmation screen will always tell you if the Pokémon you are transferring will undergo any form changes upon arrival in HOME.

The Mystery Box and Meltan when sending Pokémon to HOME

A very interesting incentive to connect Pokémon GO with HOME is the chance to get the Mystery Box If you don't already have it. This special Pokémon GO item is used to make the Mythical Pokémon appear. Meltan in the wild for a limited time.

If this is your first time transferring from GO to HOME and you don't yet own the Mystery Box, the game will... will automatically deliver one upon completion of your first shipmentFrom that moment on, you can activate it from your inventory of items to start a kind of "personal event" where Meltan will begin to appear around you.

After using the Mystery Box, you will have to wait seven full days before you can reactivate it. To reuse it, you must send at least one Pokémon back to Pokémon HOME (or Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee!). That is, Each activation of the Mystery Box is linked to a new transfer after that waiting period.

The Mystery Box is one of the few ways to get Meltan and its evolution Melmetal in Pokémon GO, so Taking advantage of the connection with HOME to unlock it is a highly recommended move if you're interested in completing the Pokédex with these unique Pokémon.

Privacy and data shared with The Pokémon Company

When you link your Pokémon GO account with Pokémon HOME, a limited exchange of information with The Pokémon CompanyThis exchange is necessary so that the system can identify your Pokémon, your profile, and complete the transfers.

Specifically, they are shared Some basic information such as your Trainer name and information about the transferred Pokémon (species, relevant characteristics, etc.) while the shipping process is underway. This is not a complete dump of your account, but rather the essential data for HOME to correctly receive the creatures.

All this data is subject to the The Pokémon Company privacy policyThis means that its processing and storage are governed by its own security and data protection rules, independent of those of Niantic or Nintendo, although aligned with current regulations.

Advanced trick: How to move Pokémon from GO to Switch games when they appear locked

There's one detail that has caused headaches for more than one player: sometimes, when trying to use a Pokémon from GO in a Switch game (like Sword, Shield, or Shining Pearl), HOME displays the message that That Pokémon has not been found in that game or that is not suitable for transfer, even though in theory it should be possible.

One of the reasons for this blockage has to do with the fact that Your OT (original trainer) and your GO Pokémon ID match your HOME account OT and IDIn some cases, this causes HOME to treat it differently and not allow it to be moved to the target game, even though the Pokémon is technically compatible.

The solution that some players have used involves creating a second profile on the Nintendo Switch with its own HOME accountEven the free version of HOME with a single box is usually enough to perform this trick, so you don't need a premium plan to try it.

If the Pokémon is already eligible to be sent to a specific game (for example, Sword and Shield), the procedure would be as follows: first, transfer the Pokémon from HOME to that gameThen, close the HOME app and reopen it, but this time Start HOME with the second account that you created on the other console profile.

On the screen where the games available in HOME are displayed, you can click on the Profile name above game icons To switch to the saved data of your main profile, open the corresponding game from there and transfer the Pokémon back to the HOME account of the second account. This way, the Pokémon will have a ID associated with the second HOME account, different from the main account.

Once the GO Pokémon ID no longer matches the main HOME account ID, the system usually allows move that Pokémon to any compatible game without restrictionsThis is how some players have managed to get, for example, a Celebi from GO to Shield or a Deoxys from GO to Shining Pearl.

If the Pokémon GO you're interested in It cannot be sent directly to any game From HOME (i.e., it's locked for everyone), there is another alternative: using the friend trading function within Pokémon HOMETo do this, you need someone to lend you their mobile phone or for a friend to create a second HOME account and add you as a friend.

They log in with that second account on their device, add each other as friends in HOME, and make a friend swap from your main account to that second accountAgain, the goal is for the Pokémon to change its ID and no longer match the one in your main HOME account, which in many cases unlocks its use in Switch games.

These types of maneuvers are not officially documented, but There are players who have successfully tried themSo they can be an interesting option if you want to get the most out of the connection between Pokémon GO, HOME and console titles.

With all of the above, you now have a fairly complete view of how How does sending Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME work? What are the limits, what advantages does it offer, and what tricks can you use? When something is resistant. Mastering this connection allows you to breathe new life into your mobile captures. Make better use of GO events, complete collections in HOME and, in many cases, bring your favorite Pokémon into the main Nintendo Switch adventures without losing them along the way.