Move Pokémon from GO to HOME: Full Walkthrough

To move Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, link the same Nintendo Account in both apps, then use GO’s Pokémon Transporter to send eligible Pokémon. After the transfer, claim them in HOME; the move is one-way, and the Transporter’s energy may limit how many Pokémon you can send at once.

Before You Start: Accounts and Requirements

Install Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME, and make sure you can access the Nintendo Account you want to use. The account linked to HOME must be the same Nintendo Account you connect inside Pokémon GO. A mismatch can make it seem as if HOME is empty or prevent the intended transfer.

• In Pokémon HOME, choose the option to link or use a Nintendo Account and sign in. The exact screens may vary by device and app version.
• In Pokémon GO, open the settings and find the Pokémon HOME section, then connect the same Nintendo Account.
• Check that both apps are up to date and that you have a stable internet connection.

You can use Pokémon HOME on a mobile device; a Nintendo Switch version is also available. The GO-to-HOME transfer is started in Pokémon GO, but you need to open HOME afterward to receive the Pokémon. You do not need to own a Nintendo Switch console just to use the mobile app.

How the Pokémon Transporter Works

Pokémon GO sends Pokémon through the Pokémon Transporter, which uses Transporter Energy. Energy replenishes over time, and the amount required depends on the Pokémon being sent. Certain special characteristics—such as a Legendary or Shiny Pokémon—can make a transfer cost more energy. The game displays the cost before you confirm, so review the selection rather than assuming every Pokémon costs the same.

The Transporter is not an unlimited storage bridge. If you run short of energy, you can wait for it to recharge or use the in-game option to recharge it with PokéCoins. The recharge option and its displayed cost are shown in GO; check the current screen before deciding, since the game’s interface and offers can change.

Some Pokémon cannot be sent, and some forms or costumes may have restrictions. If a Pokémon is unavailable, GO will indicate that it cannot be selected or transferred. A Pokémon’s eligibility is separate from whether you have enough energy: having energy does not override a transfer restriction.

Step-by-Step Transfer Walkthrough

1. Open Pokémon GO. Tap the Poké Ball menu, open Settings, and select Connected Devices and Services or the Pokémon HOME option shown in your version of the app.
2. Connect HOME. Choose Pokémon HOME, sign in with the Nintendo Account linked to HOME, and confirm the connection. If already connected, verify that it is the intended account.
3. Open the Transporter. Return to the HOME connection screen in GO and choose the option to send Pokémon.
4. Select Pokémon. Browse your GO collection and mark the Pokémon you want to transfer. Check each one’s name, form, costume, and other identifying details. Review the energy cost and the remaining energy shown on screen.
5. Confirm the transfer. Once you accept, the selected Pokémon leave Pokémon GO. Treat this as permanent: you cannot use HOME to return them to GO.
6. Claim them in Pokémon HOME. Open HOME with the linked Nintendo Account. If prompted, choose to receive the transferred Pokémon and follow the on-screen instructions. If the prompt does not appear immediately, close and reopen HOME and check its GO transfer or receiving screen.

It is sensible to send a small, non-valuable test Pokémon first if you are uncertain about the account connection or receiving process. Confirm it appears in HOME before sending a large selection.

What Transfers—and What Does Not

A successful transfer moves a Pokémon out of GO and into HOME; it does not create a duplicate. You cannot send it back to GO, so do not transfer a Pokémon you still want to use in GO. The move also does not guarantee that the Pokémon can be placed into every other Pokémon game. Compatibility depends on the destination game and that game’s supported Pokémon and features.

Some GO details may not carry over as you expect. HOME displays Pokémon using its own information and features, and a Pokémon’s GO-specific attributes or status should not be assumed to work the same way elsewhere. If a specific move, form, costume, or other detail matters to you, check the Pokémon’s displayed information and destination-game compatibility before confirming.

Transferring a Pokémon from GO to HOME is also different from using Pokémon HOME to move it between compatible Nintendo Switch games. HOME acts as a storage and transfer service, but each game has its own compatibility rules. A Pokémon visible in HOME may not be eligible to enter a particular game.

Common Problems and Fixes

• HOME is linked to the wrong account: Compare the Nintendo Account used in both apps. Disconnect and reconnect only after confirming which account contains the HOME data you intend to use.
• The Pokémon cannot be selected: Check whether it has a form, costume, or other restriction. The app’s eligibility message is the most reliable guide for that individual Pokémon.
• Not enough Transporter Energy: Send fewer Pokémon, wait for energy to recover, or review the in-game recharge option. High-cost selections can use a substantial share of the available energy.
• The transfer completed but HOME shows nothing: Make sure you are signed into the same Nintendo Account, then open HOME and complete the receiving step. Restarting the app can refresh the prompt.
• The transfer screen will not connect: Check the internet connection, update both apps, and retry. If the service is temporarily unavailable, wait and try again rather than repeatedly confirming a transfer.

If the Pokémon has already left GO, do not expect to restore it by unlinking accounts or reinstalling an app. The transfer is not a reversible account-sync operation.

Planning Your Transfer

Choose Pokémon carefully, especially when energy is low. A useful approach is to decide first which Pokémon you need in HOME, then check the displayed cost for that group. Sending one at a time can help you verify the process, while sending several together may be more convenient once you know the account and receiving steps work.

Do not treat HOME as a way to bypass a game’s availability rules. For example, moving a Pokémon into HOME does not mean it can be used in every compatible-looking title. Check the destination game’s supported roster and transfer behavior before spending energy on a Pokémon whose destination matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a Pokémon from HOME back to Pokémon GO?
No. A transfer from GO to HOME is one-way. Once confirmed, that Pokémon cannot be returned to Pokémon GO.

Do I need a Nintendo Switch to transfer Pokémon?
No. You can use the Pokémon HOME mobile app to receive Pokémon from GO. A Switch is not required for the GO-to-HOME transfer itself.

Why does a Shiny or Legendary Pokémon cost more energy?
Transporter Energy costs vary by Pokémon and can be higher for special categories, including Shiny and Legendary Pokémon. Review the cost shown in GO before confirming.

Can I transfer every Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
No. Some Pokémon, forms, or costumes are restricted. If a Pokémon cannot be selected, follow the eligibility information shown in the app.

Why is my transferred Pokémon not in HOME?
Check that HOME uses the same Nintendo Account linked in GO, then open HOME and complete the receiving prompt. Restarting the app may help if the prompt is delayed.

Can I send Pokémon to HOME without spending real money?
The Transporter replenishes energy over time. GO also displays an option to recharge with PokéCoins; you can wait for energy instead of choosing a paid currency option.

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