Yes, Pokemon Go shows a warning when you try to transfer a Pokemon with 100% IVs (perfect IVs). The game displays a pop-up that says “This Pokemon has perfect IVs. Are you sure you want to transfer it?” and requires you to confirm before the transfer goes through. This safeguard was added in 2019 to prevent accidental loss of rare, max-stat Pokemon.
Background: Why the Warning Exists
Pokemon Go introduced the perfect IV warning in an update in September 2019, alongside the addition of the “4*” search filter. Before that, players could accidentally transfer a perfect Pokemon without any prompt, leading to frustration and support tickets. The warning is part of a broader effort to protect valuable assets, similar to the “Favorite” feature that prevents accidental transfers and power-ups.
IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that determine a Pokemon’s potential in Attack, Defense, and HP. A perfect IV Pokemon has 15 points in each of these three stats, making it the strongest possible version of that species for its level. Because perfect IVs are rare (roughly 1 in 4,096 for a wild catch without weather boost), losing one by accident is a significant loss for any player.
How the Warning Works
When you attempt to transfer a Pokemon with perfect IVs, the game interrupts the action with a dialog box. The exact wording is: “This Pokemon has perfect IVs. Are you sure you want to transfer it?” You have two options: “Transfer” (to confirm) or “Cancel” (to keep the Pokemon). The warning appears every time, even if you have already confirmed a transfer for the same Pokemon earlier in the session.
The warning triggers only for Pokemon with 15/15/15 IVs. A Pokemon with 15/15/14 or any other combination below perfect will not trigger it. The game determines perfection based on the three visible IV bars in the appraisal screen, not on CP or level. So, a low-CP Pokemon with perfect IVs will still trigger the warning.
How to Check IVs Before Transferring
To know whether a Pokemon has perfect IVs before you hit transfer, use the in-game appraisal system. Tap the Pokemon, then select “Appraise” (or “Evaluate” depending on your game version). Your team leader will show three bars representing Attack, Defense, and HP. If all three bars are fully filled, the Pokemon has perfect IVs.
You can also use the search feature in your Pokemon storage. Type 4* in the search bar to filter only Pokemon with perfect IVs. This is the quickest way to review your collection and avoid accidentally transferring one. Additionally, the search term 4*&!favorite will show perfect IVs that are not favorited, which is useful when cleaning out storage.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the warning appears for any high-CP Pokemon. It does not. A Pokemon with 15/15/14 IVs, even at level 40, will not trigger the warning. Only the exact 15/15/15 combination does.
Another issue is that the warning does not appear when using the “Transfer Multiple” feature (if available in your game version). When you select multiple Pokemon and choose “Transfer,” the game will not show the perfect IV warning for any of them. This can be dangerous if you accidentally select a perfect Pokemon in a bulk transfer. Always double-check your selection or use the 4* filter before bulk transferring.
Players also sometimes mistake a Pokemon with a pink background in the appraisal screen (which indicates a high IV overall, but not necessarily perfect) for a perfect one. The pink background appears for IVs above 82%, but the warning only triggers for 100%.
How to Protect Your Perfect Pokemon
Even with the warning, it’s wise to take extra steps to safeguard your perfect IV Pokemon:
- Favorite them: Tap the star icon on the Pokemon’s summary screen. Favorited Pokemon cannot be transferred or powered up without an additional confirmation.
- Rename them: Add a label like “100%” or “Perfect” in the Pokemon’s name so you can spot them easily in lists.
- Use the 4* search filter: Before any mass transfer session, type 4* in the search bar and review the list to ensure you don’t include any of them in your selection.
These habits are especially important during events that encourage mass transfers, such as Community Day cleanups or when you’re low on Pokemon storage space.
What to Do If You Accidentally Transfer a Perfect Pokemon
If you do transfer a perfect Pokemon despite the warning, there is no built-in way to undo it. The game does not have a recycle bin. However, you can contact Niantic Support through the in-app help menu. They may restore the Pokemon if you report the issue promptly, but there is no guarantee. The best practice is to avoid relying on support and instead use the protective measures above.
Note that the warning does not appear for Pokemon that are not perfect but have a high IV percentage, such as 98% or 96%. This is a common source of frustration for players who accidentally transfer a 98% Pokemon. The warning is only for the absolute maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the warning appear for Lucky Pokemon?
Yes, if a Lucky Pokemon has perfect IVs, it will trigger the warning. The warning is based solely on IVs, not on the Lucky status.
Does the warning appear for Shadow Pokemon?
Yes, Shadow Pokemon with perfect IVs will also trigger the warning. However, be cautious: purifying a Shadow Pokemon changes its IVs (it adds +2 to each stat), so a purified Pokemon might become perfect but won’t trigger the warning unless it was already perfect before purification.
Does the warning appear when using the Pokemon Home transfer?
No, the warning is only for in-game transfers (i.e., sending a Pokemon to Professor Willow). Transferring to Pokemon Home has its own confirmation process and does not show the perfect IV warning.
Can I disable the warning?
No, the warning is always active and cannot be turned off in the game settings. It is a permanent safety feature.
Does the warning appear for perfect IVs in PvP (like 0/15/15)?
No, the warning only triggers for 15/15/15 IVs. For PvP, some players prefer 0 Attack with high Defense and HP (e.g., 0/15/15), but those are not considered “perfect” by the game’s warning system.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.
More cards in this drawer
- Valheim Server Not Showing in Community List Fixes
- DisplayPort vs HDMI: Which Cable Should You Use?
- Soundbar vs 2.1 Speaker System: Which Is Better?
- Mouse Moving on Its Own? Causes & Fixes
- Slack Channels for Construction Projects: Setup Guide
- Surface Won’t Turn On: Quick Fixes1.8 h