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!

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.
Tap Link Trade then Tap Set Link Code.
Enter the same code as your partner.
While the game is searching for a trade partner, you can continue on with your adventure.
You will be informed when a trading partner is found.
Choose a Pokemon from your boxes that you want to trade.
You will be asked to confirm if you want to trade your Pokemon with your trading partner's Pokemon.
The trade will go through if both parties agreed.

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.
Tap Surprise Trades to be directed to your boxes.
Choose a Pokemon you want to trade.
After choosing a Pokemon you can Start the Surprise Trade to start searching for a trainer to trade with.
You can continue on your adventure until a partner is found, at which point the Trade will automatically go through.

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