You need a Pokémon Home account and a Nintendo Switch or mobile device to transfer

Pokémon Go and Pokémon Home are separate apps run by different systems. To move Pokémon from Go to Home, you create a Pokémon Home account, link it to your Pokémon Go account, and then use the "Go Transporter" feature inside Pokémon Home to send specific Pokémon one direction only — from Go to Home. Once a Pokémon moves to Home, it cannot go back to Go.

The process takes about five minutes to set up, but you will need either a Nintendo Switch console or a mobile device running iOS or Android. Pokémon Home itself is free to download, though a paid subscription unlocks extra storage and features. Most people can transfer without paying anything, because the free version holds 30 Pokémon.

Transfers happen in batches, not one at a time. You select multiple Pokémon in Pokémon Go, confirm the transfer in Pokémon Home, and they move over together. The transfer is instant once you confirm, but you have to wait before sending another batch — the wait time depends on how many you send and ranges from a few minutes to several hours.

Key Takeaways

  • You must create a Pokémon Home account and link it to your Pokémon Go account before any transfer can happen.
  • Transfers only work one way: from Pokémon Go to Pokémon Home, never the reverse.
  • The free version of Pokémon Home holds 30 Pokémon, which is enough for most casual players; paid tiers hold up to 6,000.
  • After you transfer a batch of Pokémon, you must wait before sending another batch; the cooldown period varies based on batch size.
  • You need either a Nintendo Switch console or a mobile device to use Pokémon Home; you cannot transfer using only Pokémon Go on your phone.

Step-by-step: Creating and linking your Pokémon Home account

Start by downloading Pokémon Home from the Nintendo eShop (if you have a Switch) or from the App Store or Google Play (if you are using a phone or tablet). Open the app and select "Create Account" or "Sign In." If you do not already have a Nintendo Account, you will need to create one — this is free and takes about two minutes.

Once you are inside Pokémon Home, look for the settings menu (usually a gear icon) and find the option to link your Pokémon Go account. You will be asked to sign in with the same Google Account, Apple ID, or Pokémon Trainer Club account you use for Pokémon Go. After you confirm the link, the two apps are connected and you can begin transferring.

If you have never linked Pokémon Go to any other service before, the first link may take a few minutes to process. If you have already linked Pokémon Go to Pokémon Let's Go or Pokémon Sword and Shield, your account is already set up — you just need to open Pokémon Home and the link will be there.

How to send Pokémon from Go to Home using the Go Transporter

Open Pokémon Home on your Switch or mobile device and look for the "Go Transporter" option in the main menu. Tap it, and you will see a list of Pokémon currently in your Pokémon Go account. Select the Pokémon you want to transfer — you can pick one or multiple at once, though there is a limit per batch (usually 1 to 25 depending on the Pokémon's type).

After you select your Pokémon, review the list and tap "Send." Pokémon Home will ask you to confirm the transfer one more time. Once you confirm, the Pokémon move to Pokémon Home instantly and disappear from Pokémon Go. You cannot undo this, so make sure you have selected the right ones.

After a transfer, you will see a cooldown timer. You cannot send another batch until the timer runs out. The timer length depends on how many Pokémon you just sent — sending one or two might have a 1-hour cooldown, while sending 25 might have a 24-hour cooldown. This is by design to prevent bulk transfers.

Understanding Pokémon Home storage and the free versus paid versions

Pokémon Home comes in two versions: free and paid. The free version stores up to 30 Pokémon total. The paid version (called Pokémon Home Premium) stores up to 6,000 Pokémon and costs about $3 per month, $8 for three months, or $16 per year depending on your region.

If your free account is full and you try to transfer more Pokémon from Go, the transfer will fail and you will see a message saying your Pokémon Home is at capacity. You will need to either delete some Pokémon from Home, move them to a game (if you own Pokémon Sword, Shield, Scarlet, or Violet), or pay for Premium storage.

Most casual players who transfer Pokémon from Go do so to complete their Pokédex in a main series game like Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. If that is your goal, the free 30-slot limit is usually enough, because you can move Pokémon from Home into the game itself to free up space.

What happens to your Pokémon after they arrive in Home

Once a Pokémon is in Pokémon Home, it stays there until you move it somewhere else. You can view it, organize it into boxes, and trade it to other players through Home's trading feature. You cannot use it in Pokémon Go anymore — it is gone from that app permanently.

If you own a main series Pokémon game like Pokémon Scarlet, Violet, Sword, or Shield, you can move Pokémon from Home into that game. The process is similar to transferring from Go to Home: you open the game, find the option to receive Pokémon from Home, and confirm the transfer. Once a Pokémon is in a game, it cannot go back to Home.

Pokémon transferred from Go to Home keep their original stats, moves, and level, but they may have a special tag showing they came from Pokémon Go. Some games treat Go Pokémon slightly differently — for example, they might not be able to enter certain competitive formats — so check the game's rules before transferring if you plan to use them competitively.

Restrictions and things that block transfers

Not every Pokémon in Pokémon Go can be transferred to Home. Pokémon that are currently set as your Buddy, Pokémon that are currently defending a gym, and Pokémon that are currently in a raid or battle cannot be transferred. You must remove them from these roles first.

Mythical Pokémon (like Mew or Celebi) have special rules. Some mythical Pokémon from Go can be transferred to Home, but others cannot — the rules change with each event. If you are unsure whether a specific mythical Pokémon can be transferred, check the in-game description or the official Pokémon Go website.

If your Pokémon Go account and Pokémon Home account are not linked, or if the link is broken, you will not be able to see your Go Pokémon in the Go Transporter. If you see an error message, go back to Pokémon Home settings and re-link your Pokémon Go account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Pokémon back from Home to Pokémon Go?

No. Transfers only work one direction: from Pokémon Go to Pokémon Home. Once a Pokémon leaves Go, it is gone from that app forever. You cannot send it back.

Do I need a Nintendo Switch to use Pokémon Home?

No. Pokémon Home works on mobile phones and tablets using the iOS or Android app. You only need a Switch if you want to transfer Pokémon from Home into a Switch game like Pokémon Scarlet or Violet.

What if my Pokémon Home storage is full?

Transfers will fail with a capacity error. Delete some Pokémon from Home, move them to a game you own, or pay for Premium storage to increase your limit from 30 to 6,000.

How long does a transfer take?

The transfer itself is instant once you confirm it. However, you must wait before sending another batch — the cooldown ranges from one hour to 24 hours depending on how many Pokémon you just sent.

Do transferred Pokémon keep their moves and stats?

Yes. Pokémon arrive in Home with the same level, stats, moves, and items they had in Pokémon Go. Some games may mark them as coming from Go, which can affect competitive play, so check the game's rules first.