Transferring Pokémon In Pokémon GO: A Complete Guide

by Alex Braham 53 views

Hey Pokémon GO trainers! Ever wondered how to transfer Pokémon in Pokémon GO? You're in the right place! This guide breaks down everything you need to know about transferring those extra Pokémon you've got piling up. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, understanding the transfer process is crucial for managing your Pokémon collection, earning rewards, and keeping your storage space tidy. So, let's dive in and learn how to send those Pokémon to the Professor (and maybe get some sweet rewards while we're at it!).

The Basics of Pokémon Transfer

Transferring Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a fundamental mechanic that allows you to send unwanted Pokémon to Professor Willow. Why would you do this, you ask? Well, there are a few key reasons. First and foremost, it frees up space in your Pokémon storage. As you catch more and more Pokémon, your storage can quickly fill up. Transferring Pokémon is the primary way to make room for new catches. Secondly, you receive Candy for each Pokémon you transfer. This Candy is essential for evolving your Pokémon and powering them up, making your existing Pokémon stronger. Thirdly, it's a way to declutter your collection. Let's be honest, you're not going to keep every single Weedle you catch. Transferring the less useful Pokémon helps you focus on the ones you want to train and battle with. The process is super simple. All you need to do is select the Pokémon you want to transfer, and then tap the transfer option. Boom! Gone to the Professor. Easy peasy. The game doesn’t make it overly complicated, meaning you can quickly clear out the extras and free up space. This is really critical if you are an active player always out hunting for the best and rarest Pokémon. Plus, it is a great way to earn candies, which is really important for getting your Pokémon to the next level. Transferring also plays a part in certain challenges and research tasks within the game, adding another layer to its importance. Being able to quickly transfer Pokémon when your storage is maxed out can make a real difference in your gameplay experience. Making sure you understand how the transfer process works can lead to a much more enjoyable experience. The whole process is designed to be streamlined, helping players to optimize their gameplay experience. The rewards are fairly significant, too, since Candy is so vital for the growth of your Pokémon.

Step-by-Step Transfer Instructions

Transferring Pokémon is a breeze! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you out:

  1. Open Your Pokémon Storage: Tap the Poké Ball icon on the main screen, then select "Pokémon." This will take you to your Pokémon collection.
  2. Select a Pokémon: Tap on the Pokémon you want to transfer. This will open up the Pokémon's summary screen.
  3. Find the Transfer Button: Scroll down on the Pokémon's summary screen. You'll see a button labeled "Transfer." It's usually red and easy to spot.
  4. Confirm the Transfer: Tap the "Transfer" button. The game will ask you to confirm that you want to transfer the Pokémon. Be careful here, as once you transfer a Pokémon, it's gone! Make sure you really want to transfer that specific Pokémon.
  5. Receive Your Rewards: Once you confirm, the Pokémon will be transferred to Professor Willow, and you'll receive Candy for that Pokémon's species. You'll see a notification at the top of the screen confirming the transfer and the Candy you received.

And that's it! You've successfully transferred a Pokémon. Rinse and repeat as needed to manage your collection.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Transferring

Okay, now that you know the basics of how to transfer Pokémon in Pokémon GO, let's level up your transfer game with some advanced tips and tricks. These strategies will help you optimize your storage, maximize your Candy gains, and streamline your gameplay.

Mass Transferring for Efficiency

One of the most time-saving techniques is mass transferring. Instead of transferring Pokémon one by one, you can select multiple Pokémon of the same species to transfer them all at once. This is a game-changer when you have a lot of duplicates you want to get rid of, or when there is a special event that provides bonuses when transferring. To do this:

  1. Select Multiple Pokémon: In your Pokémon storage, tap and hold on a Pokémon of the species you want to transfer. Then, tap on the other Pokémon of the same species you want to include in the transfer. A checkmark will appear on each selected Pokémon.
  2. Transfer: Once you've selected all the Pokémon you want to transfer, tap the "Transfer" button at the bottom of the screen. The game will ask you to confirm that you want to transfer all the selected Pokémon. Confirm, and bam! You’ve cleared out a bunch of Pokémon with a single tap.

Transferring During Events

Keep an eye out for special events in Pokémon GO, as they often come with bonuses for transferring Pokémon. These bonuses might include increased Candy gains, or even extra rewards like Stardust. Participating in events can really accelerate your progress in the game and help you build up a considerable supply of Candy and Stardust. Being aware of the event schedule is vital to make the most of these opportunities. Events provide a perfect opportunity to maximize the benefits of transferring, allowing you to get the most value out of your gameplay. So, make sure you stay informed about ongoing events to capitalize on these bonus opportunities. If you're strategic about when you transfer, you can significantly enhance your Pokémon GO experience.

Evaluating Pokémon Before Transferring

Before you transfer a Pokémon, take a moment to evaluate its stats. You can use the appraisal feature in the game to check its IVs (Individual Values). These values determine how strong your Pokémon is, and how well it will perform in battles. If a Pokémon has high IVs, you might want to consider keeping it, even if it's a duplicate, especially if it's a Pokémon you like. Some players will only keep the Pokémon with the highest stats or highest CP levels, making sure they keep the best of the best. The game also lets you rename Pokémon which can help you keep track of which Pokémon you have already checked and which ones are worthy of keeping. Be careful though, it's easy to get attached to certain Pokémon, so try to be objective and strategic in the process. Remember, you can always catch more Pokémon, but it's important to make the best use of the limited space you have. It can also be very helpful to look at the attack move and defensive abilities of your Pokémon as well. This information can help you decide which Pokémon you want to keep. It's a key part of the Pokémon GO meta. Knowing about the best Pokémon of each type can give you an advantage when making the most of your gameplay experience.

Transferring Special Pokémon

There are a few types of Pokémon that require special consideration when transferring, including Legendary, Mythical and Shadow Pokémon. Let's delve into the specifics.

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are extremely rare and valuable, and are often acquired through special events or raids. Because of their scarcity, you might be tempted to transfer any duplicates you have. However, before transferring any Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, consider the following:

  • Rarity: These Pokémon are incredibly hard to come by, and you may never get another chance to catch them. If you are not in need of the Candy or storage space, it may be better to hold on to your Legendaries and Mythicals.
  • Trading Potential: Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are highly sought after in trades. If you have extra copies, you may be able to trade them with other players for Pokémon you need, or for valuable items.
  • Event Considerations: Niantic occasionally offers events featuring Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Sometimes, the events may feature a Pokémon you may not already have, or even provide specific bonuses for keeping them. Be patient and wait for the best opportunities to arise.

In most cases, it is best to err on the side of caution and keep your Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. You never know when they might be useful, or when they might become even more valuable.

Shadow Pokémon

Shadow Pokémon are unique, as they are Pokémon that have been corrupted by Team GO Rocket. You can usually tell them apart by their darkened appearance and special move. Before you transfer a Shadow Pokémon, think about the following:

  • Purifying: You can purify Shadow Pokémon, which removes their shadow status and often increases their stats. Purified Pokémon also have a unique appearance.
  • Combat Value: Shadow Pokémon are incredibly powerful attackers in battle, and they are usually very valuable for their attack strength. Purifying may be necessary for some tasks, but consider keeping your shadow Pokémon for battle.
  • Cost: Purifying Shadow Pokémon is costly in terms of Stardust and Candy, but they often perform very well in battle. Purifying them is a good way to improve their stats, but consider the cost before you do so.

Buddy Pokémon

Buddy Pokémon are a special category, because they allow you to earn extra rewards, and give you another way to experience the game. Before you transfer a Buddy Pokémon, consider the following:

  • Buddy Bonuses: Buddy Pokémon provide special bonuses, such as earning Candy while you walk with them. This is an efficient way to get more Candy, and it is a good way to get a Candy boost.
  • Sentimental Value: You might have formed an attachment to a Buddy Pokémon, as a result of spending time with it. Consider keeping it to make the most of your game time.
  • Evolution: Sometimes, you will only want a Buddy Pokémon so you can evolve it. Once that is done, transferring it is an easy way to free up storage space.

Troubleshooting Common Transfer Issues

Even with a straightforward process like transferring Pokémon, you might run into a few issues. Here's a quick guide to troubleshooting common problems.

Accidentally Transferred Pokémon

Oh no, did you accidentally transfer a Pokémon you didn't mean to? Unfortunately, there's no way to get it back. Once a Pokémon is transferred, it's gone for good. This is why it's super important to double-check before confirming a transfer, especially for valuable or high-level Pokémon. Take your time, and make sure you're selecting the right Pokémon before you hit that transfer button.

Can't Transfer a Pokémon

If you're having trouble transferring a Pokémon, here are a few things to check:

  • Is it favorited? If a Pokémon is favorited (marked with a heart), you won't be able to transfer it unless you unfavorite it first. This is a safety feature to prevent accidental transfers.
  • Is it a Buddy Pokémon? You can't transfer your current Buddy Pokémon. You'll need to remove it as your Buddy first. Simply remove it from being your Buddy, and you will then be able to transfer it.
  • Is it a special Pokémon? Some Pokémon, like those involved in special research tasks, might not be transferable until the task is complete. It depends on the task at hand.
  • Game Bugs: There is a chance that you may encounter an issue that prevents you from transferring a Pokémon. If you are certain that you have followed the steps, try closing and reopening the game, or restarting your device. If the problem persists, reach out to Niantic support, and they may be able to offer a resolution.

Maximizing Your Transfer Strategy

Let's wrap things up with a few final tips to maximize your Pokémon transfer strategy:

  • Regularly Clean Up: Make it a habit to regularly clean out your Pokémon storage. Don't let duplicates pile up. Set aside some time each day to review your Pokémon and transfer the ones you don't need. It can take only a few minutes to do this if you know what you are doing.
  • Prioritize Events: Take advantage of any events that offer transfer bonuses. These bonuses can significantly accelerate your progress. If you are smart about when you transfer Pokémon, you can get a lot of rewards. Make sure you are paying attention to the game calendar.
  • Use the Appraisal Tool: The appraisal tool is useful, and should be part of the review process you undertake when considering which Pokémon to keep or transfer. Don't be afraid to keep the ones that are special.
  • Evolve Strategically: Don't be too quick to evolve your Pokémon. Sometimes, it's better to wait until you have enough Candy to evolve multiple Pokémon at once, so you can make the most of your resources.
  • Storage Management: Storage management is a key skill in Pokémon GO, and will ensure that you have the most fun possible. Make sure you have enough storage space, so you do not have to worry about running out of space. You can always buy extra storage from the shop if you need it.

By following these tips and understanding the ins and outs of transferring, you'll be well on your way to a more organized and rewarding Pokémon GO experience. Happy transferring, trainers!