Pokemon Sword and Shield

How to Trade With Friends Locally and Online

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Trade with Friends

You can use Surprise Trade and Link Codes to trade Pokemon with friends in Pokemon Sword and Shield (Pokemon SWSH). Use this guide to easily trade Pokemon online and locally!

All Trading Pages
Local and Online Trading Online Surprise Trading Pokemon Trading Board

Trading Pokemon

Trading Pokemon is the primary way of sharing caught Pokemon with your friends via Local Connection or other players all around the world via the Internet. All 400 Pokemon are not attainable using only Pokemon Sword or Pokemon Shield on its own, so in order to completely fill out your Pokedex, trading with an owner of the other game is required.

Version Exclusive Pokemon

There are also some Pokemon that can only evolve by being traded. Keep in mind that trades via Internet require a Nintendo Membership (paid).

Trade by Setting a Link Code

Setting a Link Code is the standard method for trading with a specific trainer, either locally or over the Internet. To connect, simply select Link Code and enter the same number sequence as the person you want to trade with.

Players can use a Link Code to connect locally, and having a Nintendo Membership service is not requried so long as the players are close enough to connect without using the Internet.

Go to the Y-Comm Screen by clicking the Y button. Link Trade1.jpg
Tap Link Trade then Tap Set Link Code. Set Link Code.jpg
Enter the same code as your partner. Link Code.jpg
While the game is searching for a trade partner, you can continue on with your adventure. Searching.jpg
You will be informed when a trading partner is found. Found Partner.jpg
Choose a Pokemon from your boxes that you want to trade. Trade.jpg
You will be asked to confirm if you want to trade your Pokemon with your trading partner's Pokemon. Trade 2.jpg
The trade will go through if both parties agreed. Trade 3.jpg

Trade 4.jpg

You can use the received Pokemon immediately after the trade.


Note:
You can use Link Codes via Internet to connect to other people from around the world, but keep in mind that the search time will increase in order to scan for all trainers using the same Link Code, and remember that you may match with multiple trainers or none. Nintendo Online Membership service (paid) is required.

Trade via Surprise Trades

Unlike the standard trades conducted through Link Codes, Surprise Trades match you up with an unknown player, with neither side knowing what Pokemon they will receive in the trade.

Go to the Y-Comm Screen by pressing the Y button. Link Trade1.jpg
Tap Surprise Trades to be directed to your boxes. Surprise Trade.jpg
Choose a Pokemon you want to trade. Trade.jpg
After choosing a Pokemon you can Start the Surprise Trade to start searching for a trainer to trade with. Surprise Trade.jpg
You can continue on your adventure until a partner is found, at which point the Trade will automatically go through. Complete Trade.jpg

Surprise Trade Complete.jpg
Someone's Pokemon is now yours - hope you got a good one!!

More about Surprise Trades


Note:
Surprise Trades via the internet is a unique experience as you don't know Pokemon you are going to receive, and you do not know the person you are trading with! Nintendo Online Membership service (paid) is required.

Related Links

Beginner Tips and Guides

Top Page
Getting a Good Start
Things to Know Before Starting Pokemon How to Adjust Screen Size
Recommended Settings
Galar Starters
Which Starter Pokemon Should You Choose? How to Get All 3 Starters
Changing Appearance
How to Change Your Appearance How to Change Your Uniform
Pokemon Battles
Type Effectiveness and Damage Output Fishing for Pokemon
How to Run Away -
Building the Best Team
How to Build the Best Team Train Pokemon Like a Pro
Catching Legendary Pokemon -
Your Pokemon
How to Stop Evolutions How to Release Pokemon
How to Get More PC Boxes -
Online Features
How to Add Friends How to Get and Use the Y-Comm
How to Battle and Trade with Friends How to Max Raid with Friends
Pokemon Camp
How to Pokemon Camp with Friends How to Get Toys
How to Make Best Curry -
Useful Information
How to Get Money (Poke Dollars) Fast Things to Do Every Day
Useful Characters and Their Locations List of Unrepeatable One-time Events
List of All Mystery Gift Codes How to Get BP
New in Sword and Shield
Differences Between Dynamax and Gigantamax Access Pokemon Boxes on the Road
How to Get Sweets Removed Features

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