The transfer service Pokemon HOME is available for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. Read on to find out the latest updates to Pokemon HOME, its features and prices, how to download it, and how to use it to transfer Pokemon.

NOTE: This page has been updated with new information from the official update on May 19th, 2022. Read below for the full update!

Pokemon HOME Release Date

Pokemon HOME for Legends: Arceus and BDSP are Out Now!

Pokemon HOME can now be used with Pokemon Legends: Arceus and BDSP. Download the latest version to begin transferring Pokemon!

Related Pokemon HOME Articles
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Pokemon HOME	Legends: Arceus - Pokemon HOME

Pokemon HOME Version 2.0.0

Pokemon HOME ver 2.0.0 is out now. You can now transfer Pokemon from Legends: Arceus and BDSP to Pokemon Home.

Provided Compatability for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokemon Legends: Arceus

The 2.0.0 update now allows transfer of Pokemon between Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Pokemon Sword and Shield.

June 17th: Pokedex features have been expanded

Following the update, you can now view your Pokemon's appearances from various angles! Furthermore, the Catch Calendar feature has been added to the main menu which allows you to view your Pokemon in order of the dates you caught them. Lastly, new icons have been added for user profiles. Make sure to check them all out!

Note: Certain Pokemon forms cannot be viewed from different angles even following the update.

Get G-Max Factor Bulbasaur and Squirtle!

To celebrate the new update, you can also get a G-Max Factor Bulbasaur and Squirtle as a Mystery Gift!

Mystery Gifts
Enlarge	Enlarge

November 10th: Link and Transfer between Pokemon GO and Pokemon HOME has started!

Good news! You can now link between Pokemon GO and Pokemon HOME. Currently, only trainers that are on level 40 or higher in Pokemon GO can transfer their Pokemon to HOME.

Keep in mind that once you transfer a Pokemon to Pokemon Sword and Shield, you cannot transfer it back to Pokemon GO.

How to Transfer Pokemon from Pokemon Go to HOME

Enlarge	In the Settings menu, select Pokemon HOME. This is only available to trainers that are on level 40 and above. (As of 11:00, November 10th)
Enlarge	Select Send Pokemon If you haven't signed in with your Nintendo Account, sign in first. Make sure to log in to the same account you are using with Pokemon HOME.
Enlarge	Check the GO Transporter Energy, and select Continue. Make sure you have enough Transporter Energy to transfer the Pokemon.
Enlarge	Select the Pokemon you want to transfer. After the transfer, you cannot send the Pokemon back unless you receive it from HOME.
Enlarge	Confirm the Pokemon that you will transfer, and select Transport.
Enlarge	Receive the Pokemon on Pokemon HOME. To receive it, open your Pokemon HOME and select Yes when prompted with Would you like to receive them? Steps differ when you receive it using Pokemon HOME for Nintendo Switch. Receive it by selecting the Pokemon GO on the main menu screen.

Gigantamax Melmetal Mystery Gift Included

For those who transfer a Pokemon from Pokemon GO to Pokemon HOME, a Gigantamax-ready Melmetal is available as a free Mystery Gift! This Melmetal can then be transferred to Pokemon Sword and Shield. So far, this is the only confirmed method available for obtaining Gigantamax Melmetal.

Gigantamax Melmetal and G-Max Move

October 22nd: New Pokemon added with The Crown Tundra

Pokemon that appear in The Crown Tundra can now be sent to Pokemon Sword and Shield, just like with The Isle of Armor before it. Another 100 or so Pokemon have been added so bring them on over and complete your Crown Tundra Pokedex!

The Crown Tundra Pokedex

June 17th: New Pokemon added with The Isle of Armor

Pokemon that appear in The Isle of Armor expansion can now be sent to Pokemon Sword and Shield. More than 100 Pokemon have been added, so why not check if some of your old favorites are among them?

The Isle of Armor Pokedex

June 2nd: Galar Starters with Hidden Abilities are unlocked!

Grookey	Hidden Ability: Grassy Surge Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpAtk) Max EVs in HP and Attack
Scorbunny	Hidden Ability: Libero Nature: Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk) Max EVs in Speed and Attack
Sobble	Hidden Ability: Sniper Nature: Modest (+SpAtk, -Atk) Max EVs in Speed and Special Attack

For the first time, the Galarian Starter Pokemon are available with their Hidden Abilities. From the mobile version of Pokemon HOME, use the Mystery Gift option to obtain all three of these Pokemon. This is the first opportunity to obtain them, so don't miss out!

In order to obtain these Pokemon, you'll first need to send a Pokemon between the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME and your copy of Pokemon Sword or Shield from any time after 1 PM UTC on June 2nd. If you haven't done so since that time, you'll need to complete this step first, and then access the Mystery Gift feature on the mobile version of Pokemon HOME.

Our full guide explains the complete process for getting the starters and sending them to your copy of Pokemon Sword or Shield!

How to Get & Transfer Hidden Ability Starters from Pokemon HOME

What is Pokemon HOME?

Pokemon HOME is a cloud service that allows you to transfer all your Pokemon from compatible games to one place!

Available for the Switch and Mobile

By linking your Nintendo Account, you can access your Pokemon Boxes from your Switch, or on the go with your phone!

Release Date

Pokemon HOME was released on February 12, 2020 and is currently available on the Nintendo Switch, the App Store, and Google Play.

How to Download Pokemon HOME

On the Nintendo Switch

Pokemon HOME is available for free on the Nintendo eShop.

How to Download Pokemon HOME on the Switch
1	Go to the Switch Home Screen.
2	Select Nintendo eShop (Be sure to be connected to the Internet and have a Nintendo account linked).
3	Select the Profile you want to use.
4	Search for Pokemon HOME in the search bar.
5	Select and Download Pokemon HOME.

On Mobile Devices

Pokemon HOME is available for Apple devices through the App Store, and Google Play for Android devices.

How to Download Pokemon HOME on Mobile Devices
1	Launch the App Store (for Apple) or Google Play (for Android).
2	Search for Pokemon HOME.
3	Select and download.

How to Transfer Pokemon to Pokemon Sword and Shield

Using the Nintendo Switch version

In order to transfer your Pokemon from Pokemon HOME to Pokemon Sword and Shield, you'll need to download the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME.

How to Transfer Pokemon to Sword and Shield
1	Open Pokemon HOME on your Nintendo Switch.
2	Select Pokemon in the main menu.
3	Choose Pokemon Sword or Shield in the options.
4	Select the Pokemon you want to transfer, then press A on the controller and select Move.
5	Press the + button after you are finished and select Save Changes and Exit to finalize the transfer.

Using the iOS or Android version

To send Pokemon from the mobile version of Pokemon HOME to Pokemon Sword and Shield, you'll need to download both the mobile version and the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME, and connect both versions to the same account. Then, you'll be able to access the same Pokemon on both devices, allowing you to transfer Pokemon obtained in the mobile version of Pokemon HOME via the Switch version of Pokemon HOME.

To learn how to transfer Pokemon obtainable only in the mobile version of HOME, like the Kanto Starters and Galar Starters, follow the steps below.

How to Transfer Pokemon to Sword and Shield
1	Download the mobile version of Pokemon HOME. Login with the Nintendo Account you want to use.
2	Close the mobile version and download the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME. Login with the same Nintendo Account you used on the mobile version.
3	Close the Nintendo Switch version of HOME and reopen the mobile version. Receive the Pokemon you want to transfer. How to Get & Transfer Hidden Ability Starters from Pokemon HOME
4	Close the mobile version of HOME and reopen the Nintendo Switch version. Check that the Pokemon you received in the mobile version has appeared in the Nintendo Switch version of HOME.
5	Follow the steps in the above section on transferring Pokemon from the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME to Pokemon Sword and Shield.

New Info for Pokemon Sword and Shield

New Pokemon, Abilities, and Moves have arrived in Pokemon Sword and Shield thanks to Pokemon HOME!

Move your favorite Pokemon from previous games to the the land of Galar.

Check out our guide to learn more!
New Pokemon, Abilities, and Moves available through Pokemon HOME

Pokemon Gifts

You can get a total of two free Pokemon for simply signing in to both the Nintendo Switch app and the mobile app version of Pokemon Home.

When you log in through the Switch version, you will get a free Pikachu in your Box.

When you log in for the first time in the mobile version, you will have a chance to pick from the three Pokemon Red & Blue starters, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. What's more, each of the three starters will have a guaranteed Hidden Ability with them.

Starter Hidden Ability

Pokemon	Hidden Ability
Bulbasaur	Chlorophyll
Charmander	Solar Power
Squirtle	Rain Dish

List of Pokemon Gifts

Pokemon	How to Get
Galar Starters with Hidden Abilities	Available in the mobile version of Pokemon HOME after transferring a Pokemon between the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME and Pokemon Sword and Shield. How to Get & Transfer Hidden Ability Starters from Pokemon HOME
Pikachu	Available when you open Pokemon HOME.
Kanto Starters with Hidden Abilities	Given the chance to select one when you first open the mobile version of Pokemon HOME.
Pichu	Put a sticker in your profile and claim Pichu from the Mystery Gift.
Rotom	Received in the Mystery Gift when you use the trade function in the mobile version.

Subscription Plans

Basic Plan
The Basic Plan is FREE of charge, but gives users limited access such as the number of Pokemon that can be deposited, and feature unavailability.

Premium Plan
The Premium Plan allows you to access more features, which is available through a monthly to yearly subscription.
	1 month (30 days)	3 months (90 days)	12 months (365 days)
Price	$2.99	$4.99	$15.99

Prices are subject to change.

Plan Comparison

Feature	Basic Plan	Premium Plan
Moving from Pokemon Bank	-	Available
Pokemon Box Capacity	30 Pokemon	60 Pokemon
Wonder Box Capacity	3 Pokemon	10 Pokemon
GTS Box Capacity	1 Pokemon	3 Pokemon
Room Trade	Join only	Join and create
Judge Function	-	Available

Game Compatibility

List of Compatible Applications

Jump to a section:

Pokemon Sword and Shield Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! Pokemon Bank Pokemon GO

Pokemon Sword and Shield

You can link your Pokemon Sword and Shield game to the Pokemon HOME Switch version.

Note that you can only deposit or transfer Pokemon that are available on those games.

Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!

You can link your Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! game to the Pokemon HOME Switch version to transfer to either game, or Sword and Shield!

Note that once you transfer Pokemon to Sword and Shield, you cannot transfer it back to its original game!

Connect with Pokemon Bank

Free Availability Period	February 12, 2020 (Wednesday) to March 12, 2020 (Thursday)

Pokemon Bank is the online service for the Nintendo 3DS which allows you to deposit and store your Pokemon in Boxes over the internet, and is available through an annual subscription.

You can transfer your Pokemon from compatible games in the Nintendo 3DS by using the free linked app, Poke Transporter, which you can then use to store your Pokemon in the Pokemon Bank.

To celebrate Pokemon HOME's release, Pokemon Bank and Poke Transporter were available for free for one month on Pokemon HOME's release. Now, you can get your Pokemon from older Pokemon games from Pokemon Bank to Pokemon HOME! (UPDATE: This offer has expired.)

Moving from Pokemon Bank to Pokemon HOME is only available in the Premium Plan.

Connect with Pokemon GO

Connectivity between Pokemon Go and Pokemon Home was included in November 10, 2020. This feature allows players to use captured Pokemon obtained in Pokemon Go in their adventures in the Galar Region!

Keep in mind that once you transfer Pokemon to Sword and Shield, you cannot transfer it back to Pokemon GO.

Restrictions on Transferring Pokemon

A few specific restrictions have been confirmed for transferring Pokemon from Pokemon GO to Pokemon Sword and Shield.

It's stated that “certain Pokemon” from Pokemon GO cannot be sent to Pokemon Sword and Shield if that Pokemon species has not already been obtained previously in the game. This is presumably to limit the ease of obtaining rare Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Also, it's been confirmed that some special Pokemon will not be available for transfer to Pokemon HOME, such as Mega Evolutions and certain Mythical Pokemon.

Source: Pokemon HOME Official Site

More Features

List of Features

Jump to a section:

Trade Pokemon Worldwide National Pokedex Mystery Gifts Judge Function Your Room Battle Data Pokemon HOME Points

Trade Pokemon Worldwide

There are four ways to trade Pokemon using the Pokemon HOME mobile version!

Wonder Box Similar to Pokemon XY's Wonder Trade, you can leave Pokemon and randomly trade with players online using the Wonder Box! The Pokemon you place in the box will be traded even when you are not using Pokemon HOME. You can increase the number of Pokemon you can leave by enrolling in a Premium Plan.

GTS The GTS, or Global Trading System is making a comeback in Pokemon HOME! With the GTS, you can specify which Pokemon you want to trade and which Pokemon you want to receive. You will be matched with a trainer who matches your criteria over the internet. This is very useful if you are completing the Dex. You can increase the number of Pokemon you can trade by enrolling in a Premium Plan.

Room Trade With Room Trade, you can join and create rooms which where you can trade Pokemon with up to 20 people. You also will not see which Pokemon you will get until the trade is complete! Joining rooms is free but creating a room requires a Premium Plan.

Friend Trade You can trade with friends you have added in Pokemon HOME with the Friend Trade.

National Pokedex

Complete the National Dex by transferring your Pokemon to boxes in Pokemon HOME. Register Pokemon from all the regions including those with Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax Forms!

You can see more info such as Pokemon's Moves and Abilities in the Pokemon HOME mobile version.

Mystery Gifts

With the Pokemon HOME mobile version, you can receive Mystery Gifts for Pokemon Sword and Shield, as well as gifts specifically for Pokemon HOME.

You can also use codes from Pokemon HOME and redeem gifts in Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Judge Function

You can check how strong your Pokemon are using the Judge function, which was first introduced in Pokemon and Shield.

This feature is only available in the Premium Plan.

Learn more about the Judge function and Pokemon IVs in our guide!
How to Check Your Pokemon's IVs

Access Your Room

Your Room is tailored for you; here you can look at the news, add friends, and even customize your profile!

Stay Updated! There is much more information you can access from Your Room, such as News about games and events in Pokemon. This feature is only available in the Pokemon HOME mobile version.

Add Friends You can add Friends in Pokemon HOME which allows you to trade Pokemon with them.

Accomplish Challenges You can also accomplish Challenges to get rewards such as stickers!

Customize Your Profile You can get stickers from accomplishing Challenges. You can use those stickers to make your profile unique!

Battle Data

In the Pokemon HOME mobile version, you can look at Ranked Battles and other competitions happening in Pokemon Sword and Shield. You can see information such as Trainer battle records, their Pokemon rankings, as well as popular Moves by Pokemon used in competition.

According to the Pokemon official website, this feature is expected to be available sometime after the release of Pokemon Home in February 2020.

Pokemon HOME Points

You can accumulate Pokemon HOME Points by depositing Pokemon!

With the Pokemon HOME Switch version, you can exchange your Pokemon HOME Points for BP (Battle Points) which is used in the core games.

Pokemon HOME Version Comparison

Feature	Switch Version	Mobile Version
Move Pokemon with Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!	✔	✘
Move Pokemon with Sword and Shield	✔	✘
Move with Pokemon Bank	✔	✔
Judge function	✔	✔
Trade Pokemon	✔	✔
Receive Mystery Gifts	✘	✔
National PokeDex: View Pokemon Entries	✔	✔
National PokeDex: View Pokemon Ability & Moves	✘	✔
Check Battle Data	✘	✔
Check News	✘	✔
Exchange Pokemon HOME Points for BP (Battle Points)	✔	✘

Pokemon Sword and Shield Related Links

Back to the Top Page
Pokedex	Story Walkthrough
Wild Area	New Features
Gym Leader Battles	List of Moves
Version Exclusives	Message Board
Training Your Pokemon	List of Items
Beginner Tips & Guides	List of Maps