Pokémon HOME FAQ

General info

What is Pokémon HOME?

Pokémon HOME is a cloud service that can be accessed through Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch and compatible mobile devices. With Pokémon HOME, you can move Pokémon between compatible games, trade Pokémon on the go, collect Pokémon HOME Points, receive special Mystery Gift Pokémon, and more.

By linking the same Nintendo Account to both the console version and mobile version of Pokémon HOME, you’ll be able to access the same Pokémon Boxes on both versions! For additional details, please review our information about Pokémon HOME or visit the Pokémon HOME homepage.

Which games are compatible with Pokémon HOME?

The console version of Pokémon HOME supports connectivity with the Nintendo Switch games Pokémon Champions, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!.

The mobile device version of Pokémon HOME supports connectivity with the Nintendo Switch game Pokémon Champions and the mobile app Pokémon GO.

Both the console version and mobile device version of Pokémon HOME support connectivity with the Nintendo 3DS software Pokémon Bank.

What are the requirements for Pokémon HOME?

To take advantage of everything that Pokémon HOME has to offer, you will need the following:

• Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and/or smart device
• Nintendo Account (required for console version; highly recommended for smart device version)
• Any of the following titles: Pokémon Champions, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, Pokémon Bank, Pokémon GO
• Pokémon HOME Premium Plan

Please note that a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to use Pokémon HOME.

Is a Nintendo Account required to use Pokémon HOME?

A Nintendo Account is required to use the console version of Pokémon HOME for Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

A Nintendo Account is not required for the smart device app, but it is highly recommended that you create or link a Nintendo Account the first time you connect to Pokémon HOME on a smart device. With a linked Nintendo Account, you will be able to view battle data and access your Pokémon and any Premium Plan features (if purchased) on a linked console version of Pokémon HOME as well.

Can I access Pokémon HOME on multiple smart devices or Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles?

When linked to a Nintendo Account, you can access your Pokémon HOME account from one smart device and multiple Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles.

Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch is tied to your Nintendo Account, so you can connect with any console that your Nintendo Account is associated to. For example, if your Nintendo Account is linked to two different Nintendo Switch 2 consoles and a Nintendo Switch console, you can use your Nintendo Account on any of the consoles to connect to your Pokémon HOME account.

Each Pokémon HOME account is limited to one smart device at a time. Linking your Nintendo Account to Pokémon HOME on a new smart device will transfer your information to the new device. In this case, your information would still be accessible through your console(s), but it would no longer be accessible from the old smart device.

What is the difference between the console version and the smart device version of Pokémon HOME?

Some features are specific to each version of Pokémon HOME. For details, please review our information about the difference between the two versions.

Premium plan subscriptions

What is the difference between the Pokémon HOME Basic Plan and Premium Plan?

Players with a free Pokémon HOME Basic Plan can use Pokémon HOME to move and trade Pokémon between compatible Pokémon games. Additionally, Pokémon fans can enroll in the Pokémon HOME Premium Plan for even more great features.

Please review our information about what is included in the Pokémon HOME Premium Plan.

How much does a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan cost?

For current subscription plans and pricing, please review our information about the Pokémon HOME Premium Plan.

Do I need to purchase a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan for both the console version and the smart device app if I want to use both?

No, you only need to purchase one Premium Plan. Your Pokémon HOME Premium Plan is tied to your Nintendo Account. Once you have linked your Nintendo Account to the console and mobile device versions of Pokémon HOME, you can use the Premium Plan features on either device.

Please note that the Premium Plan is for one Nintendo Account. If there are multiple users on a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console, each player will need to purchase their own Premium Plan if they want to use those extra features.

Do I need to purchase a Nintendo Switch Online membership AND Pokémon HOME subscription to use all the features in Pokémon HOME?

No, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required for Pokémon HOME.

Players that have already purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership will need to purchase the Pokémon HOME Premium Plan to access the Premium Plan features.

Do I need to purchase a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan for each person that wants to use the service?

The subscription is for an individual membership only, so a separate subscription should be purchased for each player that wants to use all the features.

However, please keep in mind that a paid Premium Plan is not required to transfer Pokémon on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch. Anyone that can access Pokémon HOME on their console can transfer Pokémon to and from the compatible game save data for other players on the system.

What happens to Pokémon I've deposited if my Premium Plan expires?

If you deposit more than 30 Pokémon in Pokémon HOME while you have the Premium Plan and your plan then changes to the no-cost Basic Plan, then only the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon will be in your Basic Box. The Pokémon will remain in Pokémon HOME for a certain period of time. You will not be able to view or withdraw any Pokémon that are not in your Basic Box.

For more information, please visit Pokémon Support.

Transferring Pokémon

How do I transfer Pokémon from other games?

For details, please review our information about transferring Pokémon to Pokémon HOME. Keep in mind the guidelines in Which games can I transfer my Pokémon to? when transferring Pokémon between games.

Can I still transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank if I no longer have a Nintendo 3DS?

Yes, you can use the Nintendo Network ID that was linked to your Pokémon Bank account to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank into Pokémon HOME. For details, please review our information about transferring Pokémon to Pokémon HOME.

Which games can I transfer my Pokémon to?

This depends on which game the Pokémon came from – and where it’s been! You can check the Pokémon details in Pokémon HOME to see which game a specific Pokémon can travel to.

• By linking Pokémon Champions to Pokémon HOME, you will be able to bring certain Pokémon to Pokémon Champions as visitors, as well as send visiting Pokémon back to Pokémon HOME. Only Pokémon that appear in Pokémon Champions will be able to visit from Pokémon HOME, and Pokémon obtained in Pokémon Champions cannot be sent to Pokémon HOME.
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A is mutually compatible with Pokémon HOME. You will be able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon to and from this game. Pokémon can only be moved to games that they appear in. Pokémon you befriend in Pokémon Legends: Z-A cannot be brought into previous titles in the Pokémon main series. Once you bring a Pokémon you befriended in a previous Pokémon main series title into Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you will no longer be able to bring that Pokémon back into previous Pokémon main series titles. There may be restrictions that apply to moving certain Pokémon.
• Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, and Pokémon Shield are mutually compatible with Pokémon HOME. You will be able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon to and from each of these games. Pokémon can only be moved to games that they appear in. Once you bring a Pokémon you befriended in these Pokémon main series titles into Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you will no longer be able to bring that Pokémon back into previous Pokémon main series titles. There may be restrictions that apply to moving certain Pokémon.
• Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! can link to the console version of Pokémon HOME. You can move Pokémon back and forth between Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! or into a newer game. Once a Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! is moved to a newer game, it cannot be returned to its original game!
• Pokémon GO can be linked to Pokémon HOME to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME. From there, Pokémon that you have registered in the Pokédex of mutually compatible games can be moved to those respective games, or you can send them to visit Pokémon Champions.
• Pokémon from Nintendo 3DS Pokémon titles stored in Pokémon Bank can be moved to Pokémon HOME. Certain Pokémon originating from Pokémon Bank can be moved to newer games which are mutually compatible with Pokémon HOME. Once a Pokémon from Pokémon Bank is moved into Pokémon HOME, it cannot be moved back to Pokémon Bank.

For additional details, please see the official Pokémon HOME website.

Can other players on my console access my Pokémon?

When using Pokémon HOME, players can choose to deposit and withdraw Pokémon to and from any compatible save data on that console. That means that other players with Pokémon HOME can access Pokémon from your games on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

Please be careful not to transfer other players' Pokémon on your console without their permission.

Trading Pokémon

Can I trade Pokémon using the console version of Pokémon HOME?

The ability to trade Pokémon is only available in the smart device version of Pokémon HOME.

However, players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can also trade with other players directly through the Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! games.

How can I trade Pokémon with other players in Pokémon HOME?

There are four ways to trade Pokémon using Pokémon HOME on your mobile device: Wonder Box, GTS trades, Room Trade, and Friend Trade.

For details, please review our information about trading Pokémon on Pokémon HOME.

Can I trade with specific friends?

Players age 16 and older can use the Friend Trade feature to trade your Pokémon with other users who you’ve become friends with in the smart device version of Pokémon HOME. You can add friends using the Add Friend feature in Pokémon HOME.

The Friend list in Pokémon HOME is not connected to your Friend List on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

Additional features

How do I sync my game data between the console version and the smart device app?

To sync your game data, do the following:

1. On your console, use your Nintendo Account to download Pokémon HOME from the Nintendo eShop.
2. On your smart device, download the mobile version of Pokémon HOME using the App Store or Play Store.
3. Start the mobile version of Pokémon HOME. During the first-time setup, follow the onscreen instructions to link the same Nintendo Account that you used on your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch. The data will sync between the two versions.

It is important that you link the Nintendo Account when you first set up the mobile version of Pokémon HOME. Otherwise, you may not be able to link the same Nintendo Account later.

What can I do with Pokémon HOME Points?

In both the console and smart device versions of Pokémon HOME, you can collect Pokémon HOME Points based on the number of Pokémon you have in your Boxes.

The points you accumulate can be converted to LP (League Points) in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, MP (Merit Points) in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, or BP (Battle Points) in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, and Pokémon Shield through the console version of Pokémon HOME.

What is a Mystery Gift?

Mystery Gift is a feature in the game that allows players to redeem download codes, connect to a Poké Ball Plus, or connect wirelessly to Nintendo-sponsored events to obtain special Pokémon or items.

Please keep an eye on pokemon.com for information about any upcoming promotions.