How to Trade Locally and Online

Trade wirelessly with friends and other trainers online in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV) through the Poke Portal. Read on to learn how to trade locally and online, as well as how to access the Poke Portal and Union Circle!

How to Trade Online with Friends

Steps on How to Trade Online
Have a Nintendo Switch Online Membership. Access the Poke Portal. Make sure you're connected to the internet. Choose Between Link Trade or Surprise Trade. Create a Link Code. Search for a trading partner. Make the Trade.

Have a Nintendo Switch Online Membership

If you're trading locally, you don't need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. A subscription is needed if you're looking into trading online though.

Just like in previous games, having a Nintendo Switch Online Membership is necessary before you can trade with other people online.

If you want to try it out, Nintendo offers a 7-day free trial of Nintendo Switch Online in the Nintendo eShop.

Purchase and learn more about Nintendo Switch Online at the official Nintendo site.

Nintendo Switch Online Plans

Access the Poke Portal

Trading and battling with friends are made accessible through the game's main social hub - the Poke Portal.

To access it, simply pull up the menu by pressing the X button. From there, you can select "Poke Portal" from the right corner of the screen.

You'll unlock the Poke Portal once you've reached the first Pokemon Center in Los Platos.

Make Sure You're Connected to the Internet

Before you can start trading online, you need to make sure that you're connected to the internet. You'll know whether you're offline or online by looking at the upper right corner of your screen. The wi-fi icon will glow green if you're connected to the internet. Otherwise, it will stay gray.

If you're not connected to the internet yet, press the left shoulder button to go online.

Choose Between Link Trade or Surprise Trade

Link Trade

From the Poke Portal screen, select Link Trade. This will allow you to trade with other players anywhere in the world.

When using Link Trade, the person you're trading with will be able to see what Pokemon you'll be trading and you can see theirs too! This is safe if you're looking for certain Pokemon to trade, or if you're seeking certain types.

Surprise Trade

Aside from Link Trade, you can also do Surprise Trades with other players. With this feature, you can trade Pokemon with strangers without knowing what you'll get in return.

Use this type of trade with caution as you may not get Pokemon you like.

Create a Link Code

For Link Trades, you need to create a link code. This will ensure that you're trading with the correct trainer. However, note that if a different trainer enters the same Link Code, you might accidentally trade with the wrong trainer.

We recommend creating a unique Link Code to avoid such trading mishaps. Enter a code with a maximum of 8 digits and share it with trainers you want to trade with.

Search For a Trading Partner

Once you and the trainer you want to trade with have a code ready, type it in the "Set Link Code" search bar. Now all you need to do is wait until you match with the trainer you want to trade with!

Make the Trade

Once you and your trading partner have found each other, you will automatically move to the Pokemon selection screen. The only thing left for you to do is to choose the Pokemon you want to send to the other trainer and make the trade!

For example, if you want to get a foreign Ditto for Pokemon breeding purposes, then choose a Pokemon the other party wants, and make sure you'll get a Ditto in return.

Ditto Trading Board

How to Trade Locally with Friends

No Need for an NSO Membership

Trading locally is the same as trading online except you don't need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to do it.

You just have to make sure that the person you want to trade with is nearby so you can make the trade.

No Need For a Link Code

You and your friend don't need to create a Link Code either when trading locally!

However, if both of you are in a crowded place, there's a chance that you'll enter a trade with a random stranger in the area. Before trading, always make sure that you know who you're trading with.

How to Trade Items with Friends

Let Your Pokemon Hold an Item

You can trade items by letting your Pokemon hold an item and sending that Pokemon over to the person you are trading with. You can keep the items your traded Pokemon comes with along with the actual Pokemon!

Just remember not to make your Haunter hold an Everstone then send it to your friend when they're trying to evolve it!

List of All Held Items

Other Notes on Online and Local Trading

It May Take a While To Search For a Trading Partner

It may take a while for the game to find your trading partner so try to be patient. If the screen says it's searching for a trading partner, just wait until it finds a match.

Trading Is Also Available via the Union Circle

Trading is also available even when you and your friends are playing via the Union Circle! However, you can only trade with your friends in the Union Circle during this time. It works the same way as trading online, but approaching a friend won't immediately prompt a trade.

Trading Unlocks After Reaching Los Platos Pokemon Center

If you're just starting and want to trade Pokemon immediately, don't worry if you can't find the option for the Poke Portal yet. This feature unlocks along with trading once you reach the Los Platos Pokemon Center, which is the very first Pokemon Center you'll come across in the game.

Story Walkthrough

Other Multiplayer Features

Adventure Together

Players can also explore the Paldea Region together with up to three friends! Catch and battle Pokemon or explore what the region has to offer, together or apart,

Multiplayer and Online Features: Is Nintendo Online Required?

Tera Raid Battles

In addition to exploring together, players can also bring in three friends to join together to take down Terastallized wild Pokemon in a seamless and turnless battle!

These Raids have time limits that players need to beat to win.

Tera Raid Battles

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Related Guides

Beginner's Tips and Tricks

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Tips and Tricks