Would you like to know exactly how to trade Pokémon with your friends in Pokémon Go for Android and get the most out of this feature? It's one of the most common questions among the trainer community, and while it may seem simple at first glance, the creature trading system has a series of requirements, limitations, and tricks that can make a difference in your gaming experience.
In this article, you'll find an extremely complete and detailed guide that gathers all the relevant information about exchanging Pokémon in Pokémon Go for Android devices, updated and explained step by step. If you want to make the most of every exchange, know which Pokémon can be traded, the costs, the advantages, and how to avoid common mistakes, stay with us and discover everything you need to know to become a master of digital barter.
Prerequisites for trading Pokémon in Pokémon Go
It's not enough to simply decide to trade a Pokémon with a friend; there are mandatory requirements you must meet before you can start transferring Pokémon between accounts. These requirements are intended to ensure both players have sufficient experience and prevent fraudulent trades.
- Coach level: It is essential to have reached at least the 10 level as a trainer. Without this condition, the trade option won't even appear in the game.
- Friendship in the game: You add the player as a friend en Pokémon GoThis is done by entering the trainer code in the Friendship menu. Once the other player accepts the request, they'll appear on your list.
- Physical proximity: In order to make exchanges, both coaches must be within 100 meters of physical distance. That is, remote exchanges cannot be made, except for changes in future updates.
Only when you meet these requirements will the trading option be unlocked within your friend's friendship tab.
How do I add friends and access the sharing feature?
The first practical step to trading Pokémon with another player is to add them as a friend in Pokémon Go. The process is very simple:
- Access your coach profile by tapping the bottom left corner of the main screen.
- Swipe the menu to the right to enter the friends tab.
- Share your friend code or enter the code the other person gives you.
- Once you've accepted each other's request, you'll be able to see your friend in the list.
To initiate a trade, select your friend and look for the "Trade" option below the Send Gift button. This option will only be available if both players meet the aforementioned requirements and are physically close.
Step by Step: Trading Pokémon in Pokémon Go for Android
The process for trading Pokémon is very intuitive, but it's a good idea to review it step by step so you don't miss any important steps. Here are the detailed steps:
- Locate yourself within 100 meters of your friend.
- Open the friends tab in the main menu and select the user you are going to exchange with.
- Tap on "Exchange"If you are both connected and close, you can proceed.
- Your Pokémon backpack will appear, where you must select the item you want to offer.
- The game will show you the cost in Stardust before confirming the trade.
- Confirm the trade and wait a few seconds for the transaction to complete. If all goes well, your Pokémon has been sent to your friend, and you'll receive theirs.
Remember that you can only trade Pokémon that do not have special restrictions , and that each trade may involve changes to the stats of the Pokémon involved.
Conditions and limitations of the exchange system
The Pokémon Go trading system includes a number of specific restrictions and rules. Not everything is allowed, and it's important to know what can and can't be traded, as well as the daily limits.
- You can only make up to 100 trades per day. Of these, only one can be a "Special Trade" (legendary, shiny, or Pokémon not yet registered).
- Mythical or Mythical Pokémon, such as Mew, cannot be traded under any circumstances.
- You cannot trade Pokémon that are defending a Gym, are your buddy, have been previously traded, are fainted or pending a revive, or are marked as banned.
- After being traded, a Pokémon cannot be traded again.
- The stats (IVs) of traded Pokémon may vary; they often decrease or change dramatically, so it is advised not to trade perfect Pokémon (IV 100%).
Regular and special exchanges: what's the difference?
In Pokémon Go, there are two main types of trades: regular and special. Understanding the difference is key to avoiding running out of options mid-day.
Normal exchanges
These include common Pokémon, regional Pokémon, or any creatures that both players already have registered in their Pokédex. They allow up to 99 Pokémon per day and their Stardust cost is very low.
Special exchanges
This includes Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, and any Pokémon you don't yet have in your Pokédex, whether they're normal, regional, legendary, or shiny. You can only make one of these special trades per day, and they always require a much higher Stardust expenditure.
Don't forget that special trades can only be made with friends whose friendship level is Great, Ultra, or Peerless.
Exchange costs: How much Stardust do you need?
A key aspect of the trading system is the cost associated with each transfer , measured in Stardust. The cost varies depending on the type of Pokémon, your friendship level with the other player, and whether you both have the Pokémon registered in your Pokédex.
Costs for registered Pokémon (both players have it in the Pokédex)
- Regular or regional Pokémon: 100 Stardust, regardless of the level of friendship.
- Legendary or Shiny Pokémon: 20.000 Stardust for good friendship, 16.000 for great friendship, 1.600 for ultra friendship and 800 for unparalleled friendship.
Costs for unregistered Pokémon (one of the two is not in the Pokédex)
- Regular or regional Pokémon: 20.000 Stardust for good friendship, 16.000 for great friendship, 1.600 for ultra friendship and 800 for unparalleled friendship.
- Legendary or Shiny Pokémon: 1.000.000 Stardust for good friendship, 800.000 for great friendship, 80.000 for ultra friendship and 40.000 for unparalleled friendship.
The higher your friendship level with the person you're trading with, the less Stardust you'll spend. So it's worth waiting until you've built a strong relationship in the game before making any special trades.
What are the benefits and rewards of trading Pokémon?
The trading system isn't just a way to get Pokémon you're missing. Each trade can generate various rewards and benefits:
- Extra candies: Each time you trade a Pokémon, you'll receive between 1 and 3 Candies of the transferred species. The amount depends on the distance between the locations where the Pokémon involved were caught (1 candy if the distance is less than 30km, 2 candies if it is between 30 and 100km, and 3 candies if it exceeds 100km).
- Chance of obtaining Pokémon with Luck: At random, a traded Pokémon may become a Lucky Pokémon, meaning that It will cost much less Stardust to power up and train., and their IVs can be improved from the previous state.
- New Pokédex entries: If you receive a Pokémon you didn't have before, you'll add it to your Pokédex and advance your collection.
Risks and advice before trading
Before you jump into free trading, there are several things you should keep in mind to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- The Pokémon's IVs and potential may decrease after trading, So think carefully before transferring very powerful or rare specimens.
- Once you trade a Pokémon, you cannot get the original back, since the system prevents the same creature from being exchanged again.
- If you have valuable Pokémon (legendary, shiny, event), mark them as favorites before making mass transfers. so as not to lose them by mistake.
The system will warn you twice if you try to transfer high-value creatures, but it never hurts to be cautious.
Trades and Evolutions: Save Candy
From the first months of 2020, Pokémon Go introduced the classic mechanic of trade evolutions, inherited from the main games of the saga.
Some Pokémon can only evolve by trading with another player, and this process offers a strategic advantage: when you receive such a Pokémon through a trade, its evolution will cost ZERO candies . Examples of Pokémon with special trade evolutions include Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Boldore, Gurdurr, Kadabra, and others.
If you have the opportunity to trade these Pokémon, do so before spending candy on evolving them, as it will save you valuable resources.
Which Pokémon can't be traded?
The exchange system has specific restrictions on which copies can be transferred :
- Mythical or Mythical Pokémon (such as Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Victini) can never be exchanged.
- Pokémon previously transferred to another account cannot be traded.
- Pokémon marked as buddy, defending gyms, fainted, or pending revival are also ineligible.
- Pokémon banned or with special restrictions in the system They cannot enter into this mechanics either.
Transfer Pokémon to the Professor to get candy
In addition to trading with friends, Pokémon Go allows you to transfer Pokémon to Professor Willow to receive candies of the corresponding species in return.
- This feature is great for getting rid of duplicates, Pokémon with low power or stats, and cleaning out your backpack.
- You just have to select the Pokémon and choose the 'Transfer' option from its menu.
- It is possible to transfer multiple Pokémon at once, except for shiny, legendary, or event Pokémon, which must be selected one by one.
Remember that once you transfer a Pokémon to the Professor, you will lose it forever and you will not be able to get it back.
Increasing friendship levels: key to saving resources and facilitating exchanges
The level of friendship with other trainers is essential to lower trade costs and unlock Special Trades.
How can you increase your friendship level? There are several actions that will earn you points daily:
- Send and receive gifts through PokéStops.
- Participate together in raids and gym battles.
- Trade Pokémon between the two.
With each friendship level, the cost of Stardust will decrease, and better rewards and bonuses will become available during collaborations.
Social features and extra rewards
The introduction of the friendship system and gifts has changed how you interact in Pokémon Go. By sending gifts to your friends, you not only increase your friendship level, but you also receive useful items and, occasionally, special eggs containing unique Pokémon variants (such as Alolan Pokémon).
These gifts appear when you spin Photo Discs at PokéStops or Gyms, and can only be opened by your friends. This social aspect is reinforced by the trading system, making Pokémon Go a much richer and more collaborative experience.
Frequently Asked Questions and Common Mistakes About Trading in Pokémon Go
What if my friend is far away? How much Stardust do I need in total? Can I trade any Pokémon? Why can't I trade a specific one? Below we answer the most common questions:
- Remote exchanges are not allowed (currently only within physical proximity of 100 meters).
- The cost in Stardust will depend on the Pokémon, whether or not it is registered, and the friendship level, as explained above.
- Not all Pokémon are tradable; check the restrictions section to avoid bans.
- Reminder: Pokémon received through trading may register new forms, regions, or gain new stats, but they may also lose potential.
If in doubt, always check if the exchange option is enabled, or the error message will tell you why.
The trading system in Pokémon Go for Android is much more in-depth and strategic than it initially appeared. If you follow these tips, keep limitations in mind, and make the most of friendship levels and opportunities to acquire Lucky Pokémon, you'll be able to complete your Pokédex much faster and obtain unique creatures that would otherwise be nearly impossible to obtain.
Always remember to do it safely, plan your important trades, and encourage collaboration with your friends, as this feature not only enriches the game but also strengthens bonds within the trainer community. Share this information so other users can learn about it.