What games can I trade/transfer my Pokémon to?
This thread will help you determine which games you can trade or transfer your Pokemon to. If you have anything to add, any updates to make or any errors to point out, please leave a comment or contact a staff member.
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For the purposes of the answer, “transfer” shall mean moving a Pokemon between games that are unable to communicate via trade.
In general:You can transfer Pokemon to a game from a later generation or the same generation, but not to a previous generation. For example, Pokemon in Gen 6 can be transferred to Gen 7. However, you cannot transfer from Gen 7 to Gen 6, even if the Pokemon originated from Gen 6. (See Footnote 1 and 2 for exceptions.)
It is also possible totrade Pokemon between copies of the same game(where, for example, Sword and Shield are considered the same game). Until Gen 8 and excepting LGP/E, it is possible totrade Pokemon between main series games of the same generation. For example, Diamond/Pearl and HeartGold/SoulSilver can trade with each other, as both games are in Gen 4. (See Footnote 2 for exceptions.)
Depending on the game you’re playing, Pokemon may be transferred to and fromPokemon HomeandPokemon Bank, which are cross-generational storage services (but still bar you from transferring backwards in generations).
Refer to the flowchart below to see where your Pokemon can go. Take note thatthe arrows are one-way; a Pokemon cannot be transferred against the direction of the arrowhead (and where it can be transferred both ways, a second arrow going the opposite direction is included). Games from the same generation that cannot trade with each other are separated by dashed lines.
Pleasecredit meor PokeBase if you re-use this chart.
- This diagram considers Virtual Console games to belong to their original generations. So, per usual rules, Pokemon in Gen 7 cannot be transferred to Virtual Console games.
** LGP/E is considered to be part of Gen 7, but it has no interactivity with other Gen 7 instalments in the series. Pokemon from LGP/E can go to and from Home, but once they’re transferred to Gen 8, they cannot go back to LGP/E.
#1: It is possible to transfer Pokemon from Gen 2 to Gen 1if the Pokemon is present in Gen 1and it knows only moves present in Gen 1.
#2: The Pokemon (and its held item, where this can be traded/transferred) must exist in the destination game for this to work. For example, Poipole and Naganadel cannot be traded to Sun/Moon from Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. Further, Incineroar cannot be transferred into BD/SP. Also, via Pokemon Home, all transferred Pokemon will have their learned moves “reset” based upon their level-up movepool in the destination game. Seeherefor additional restrictions to Pokemon Home andherefor restrictions to Pokemon Bank.
The Time Capsule (Japanese: タイムカプセル Time Capsule) is a mechanic in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal that allows players to trade Pokémon back in time to Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Yellow.
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So Pokemon can move from Generation 2 to Generation 1 (and you can transfer them wherever you want if you cheat) but otherwise Pokemon cannot be transferred to earlier generations.
Pokemon can’t transfer back if they’re Generation 2 Pokemon or know Generation 2 moves, but for some reason, Generation 1 games can handle Pokemon holding Generation 2 items.
