You cannot transfer Pokémon Go to a new phone directly — you transfer your account instead

Pokémon Go is tied to your account, not your phone. When you move to a new device, you sign into the same account on the new phone and your Pokémon, items, and progress come with you. The process takes a few minutes and requires you to know which login method you used originally — whether that was Google, Facebook, Apple ID, or the Pokémon Trainer Club.

The catch is that you can only be signed in on one device at a time. If you try to log in on a second phone while still logged in on the first, the app will sign you out of the first one. This is intentional — Niantic, the company that makes Pokémon Go, prevents account sharing and multi-device play.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Pokémon Go account is stored in the cloud, so switching phones means signing into the same account on your new device.
  • You need to remember which login method you used — Google, Facebook, Apple ID, or Pokémon Trainer Club — because you cannot change it without contacting support.
  • Signing in on a new phone automatically signs you out on the old one, so you cannot play on both devices at the same time.
  • If you forgot your login method or password, you can recover it through the login screen or contact Niantic support before you switch phones.

Finding out which login method you used

Before you move to a new phone, open Pokémon Go on your current device and go to the Settings menu (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down to find the "Linked Accounts" or "Sign In Method" section — the exact name varies by version. This shows you whether your account is linked to Google, Facebook, Apple ID, or Pokémon Trainer Club.

Write down or screenshot this information. If you see multiple linked accounts, any of them will work to sign in, but knowing all of them gives you backup options if one stops working. If you see no linked accounts listed, your account may be linked to a method that is no longer active, and you should contact Niantic support before switching phones.

Signing into your account on a new phone

Install Pokémon Go on your new device from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Open the app and tap the login button. You will see options for Google, Facebook, Apple ID, and Pokémon Trainer Club — select the one you noted from your old phone.

Enter your login credentials. If you use Google or Facebook, the app will open that service's login screen and ask for permission to connect to Pokémon Go. If you use Apple ID, the same process happens through Apple's system. If you use Pokémon Trainer Club, enter your username and password directly into the Pokémon Go login screen.

Once you sign in, the app will download your account data — your Pokémon, items, Pokédex progress, and trainer level. This usually takes less than a minute. Your old phone will automatically sign out the next time it tries to sync with the server, which happens when you open the app or after a few minutes of being in the background.

What happens to your data when you switch

Everything in your account transfers: your caught Pokémon, items in your bag, Pokédex completion, buddy Pokémon, raid passes, research tasks, and trainer level. Your location history and play statistics also carry over. The only thing that does not transfer is any data stored only on your old phone — screenshots, local cache files, or notes you kept outside the app.

Your Pokémon will be exactly where you left them. If you had a Pokémon defending a gym when you switched phones, it stays there. If you were in the middle of a raid, that raid session ends, but you do not lose the raid pass — it goes back into your bag.

If you forgot your login method or password

If you cannot remember which account you used to sign in, try each option on the login screen. Start with Google if you have a Gmail account, then Facebook, then Apple ID. One of them will work if it was the one you originally linked.

If you remember the method but forgot the password, tap "Forgot your password?" on the login screen. Google, Facebook, and Apple all have account recovery processes that will let you reset it. For Pokémon Trainer Club, go to the Pokémon Trainer Club website and use their password reset tool.

If none of these work, contact Niantic support through the app. Go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Contact Us." Explain that you are switching phones and cannot remember your login method. Niantic can verify your account ownership and help you regain access, though this usually takes a few days.

Switching between iPhone and Android

Pokémon Go works the same way on both iPhone and Android, so switching between them is no different from switching between two iPhones or two Android phones. Your account and all your data transfer exactly as described above. The only difference is that you will need to download the app from the appropriate store — App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android.

One thing to watch: if you were using Apple ID on an iPhone, that login method will not work on Android. You will need to use a different linked account — Google, Facebook, or Pokémon Trainer Club. Before you switch to Android, go into Settings on your iPhone and make sure you have at least one other login method linked. If you only have Apple ID linked, add Google or Facebook first.

Keeping your account secure during the switch

Do not share your login credentials with anyone, even if they offer to help you transfer the account. Pokémon Go accounts can be sold or stolen, and once someone has your password, they can lock you out by changing the linked email address or password.

If you use a shared email address or password across multiple accounts, consider changing your Pokémon Go password before you switch phones. This is especially important if you are switching because your old phone was lost or stolen. Go to the login service's website (Google, Facebook, Apple, or Pokémon Trainer Club) and change the password there, then sign in with the new password on your new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Pokémon Go on two phones at the same time?

No. Pokémon Go only allows one active session per account. If you sign in on a second phone, you will be signed out on the first one. This is a security measure to prevent account sharing.

Will my Pokémon be in the same location on my new phone?

Your Pokémon will be in your bag and storage, just as they were on your old phone. The game uses your GPS location, not your phone, so if you are in the same physical place, the game world looks the same. Your Pokémon do not move or disappear when you switch devices.

What if I lose my old phone before I sign into the new one?

It does not matter. Your account is stored in the cloud, not on your phone. As long as you remember your login method and password, you can sign in on any new device and your account will be there. You do not need to do anything on the old phone first.

Can I use a different login method on my new phone?

You can use any login method that is already linked to your account. You cannot change your primary login method without contacting Niantic support. If you want to add a new login method before you switch phones, go to Settings and look for "Linked Accounts" to add Google, Facebook, or Apple ID.

Do I need to download my Pokémon Go data before switching phones?

No. Pokémon Go automatically backs up your account to the cloud. When you sign in on your new phone, the app downloads everything. You do not need to export or back up anything manually.