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Trading is one of the most exciting features in Pokemon GO, allowing Trainers to swap Pokemon with friends. Whether you’re looking to complete your Pokedex, get high-IV Pokemon, or collect creatures with exclusive moves, trading helps you achieve these goals. However, there are some rules and limitations, like Stardust costs, friendship levels, and distance requirements.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about trading in Pokemon GO, including how to trade, special trade rules, and tips to make the most of it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Trading in Pokemon GO
1) Meet Your Friend in Person
Trading in Pokemon GO requires you to be near your friend. Both players must be within a short distance of each other to start and complete a trade. Once you’re together, follow the next steps.
2) Open the Trading Screen
Here’s how you can start trading:
- Tap on your Trainer Profile in the Map View.
- Select the Friends tab at the top.
- Pick the friend you want to trade with from your list.
- Tap the Trade button to enter the trading interface.
3) Choose a Pokemon to Trade
Once both players are in the trade screen:
- Select the Pokemon you want to trade.
- Review details like CP, HP, and IVs. Keep in mind that these will change after the trade.
- Some Pokemon trades can reduce Candy costs for evolution.
- Tap Next to proceed.
4) Confirm the Trade
- A confirmation screen will show the required Stardust cost.
- You’ll also see how much Candy you’ll receive (the farther the Pokemon were caught from each other, the more Candy you get).
- Tap Confirm to complete the trade.
Special Trades in Pokemon GO
Not all trades are the same. Some are considered Special Trades, which require more Stardust and are limited to one per day. These include:
- Pokemon are not yet registered in your Pokedex.
- Legendary Pokemon.
- Shiny Pokemon.
- Ultra Beasts.
- Regional, costumed, and Unown Pokemon.
- Pokemon with special Location Cards.
Trading Restrictions You Should Know
- You must be at Trainer Level 10 or higher to trade.
- Mythical Pokemon (like Mew) cannot be traded.
- A Pokemon can only be traded once—no second trades.
- Niantic Kids or Pokemon Trainer Club users may need parental permissions to access social features.
Pro Tips for Trading in Pokemon GO
Want to get the most out of your trades? Follow these tips:
- Save Special Trades for Valuable Pokemon – Since you can only do one per day, don’t waste it on common Pokemon.
- Increase Friendship Levels – The higher your friendship level, the lower the Stardust cost. Send gifts and battle together to level up quickly.
- Trade Pokemon Caught in Different Locations – You get extra Candy for trading Pokemon caught far apart, making it easier to evolve them.
- Prepare for IV Changes – Traded Pokemon get new IVs, so don’t expect them to stay the same.
- Use Trades for Evolution – Some Pokemon (like Machoke, Haunter, and Graveler) require less Candy to evolve after being traded.
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