Can You Unlink Pokémon GO from Pokémon HOME? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can unlink your Pokémon GO account from your Pokémon HOME account. The process involves unlinking the Nintendo Account that connects the two services. This allows you to then link Pokémon GO to a different Nintendo Account, which in turn is connected to a different Pokémon HOME account. This functionality offers flexibility in managing your Pokémon across different games and accounts.

Understanding the Pokémon Ecosystem

The Pokémon ecosystem, encompassing Pokémon GO, Pokémon HOME, and the various Nintendo Switch Pokémon games, is designed to allow players to collect, train, and battle with their favorite Pokémon across different platforms. Pokémon HOME acts as a central hub, allowing you to store and transfer Pokémon between compatible games. Linking and unlinking accounts is crucial for managing these transfers and ensuring your Pokémon end up where you want them.

The Unlinking Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

While you can’t directly unlink Pokémon GO from Pokémon HOME, you can sever the connection by changing the linked Nintendo Account. Here’s how:

1. Within Pokémon GO: Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and find the “Linked Accounts” section.
3. You will see your currently linked Nintendo Account.
4. Unlink your current Nintendo Account.
5. Now you can link a different Nintendo Account. Make sure that your desired Pokémon HOME account is linked with this Nintendo Account.

Important Note: This process doesn’t actually delete any data from either Pokémon GO or Pokémon HOME. It merely changes the pathway through which Pokémon can be transferred between the two.

Benefits of Unlinking and Linking

• Switching Pokémon HOME Accounts: The primary benefit is the ability to direct Pokémon transfers to a different Pokémon HOME account. This is useful if you have multiple HOME accounts or want to consolidate Pokémon.
• Correcting Errors: If you initially linked the wrong accounts, this allows you to rectify the mistake and establish the correct connection.
• Account Management: Provides greater control over your Pokémon ecosystem, particularly useful for families sharing devices or players with multiple accounts.

Potential Issues and Considerations

• Pokémon Transfers are One-Way (Mostly): Remember that you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, but generally not back from Pokémon HOME to Pokémon GO.
• Nintendo Account is Key: Everything hinges on your Nintendo Account. Make sure you have access to the Nintendo Account you wish to link to Pokémon HOME.
• Pokémon HOME Storage: Keep in mind that Pokémon HOME offers both a free and a paid “Premium” plan. The free plan has a limited storage capacity.
• Transfer Energy: In Pokémon GO, transferring Pokémon to HOME consumes Transporter Energy. This energy replenishes over time or can be refilled with PokéCoins.

Pokémon HOME: A Deep Dive

Pokémon HOME serves as a cloud-based service designed to unite your Pokémon collection from various games. It’s available on both Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. The service allows you to:

• Store Pokémon: Keep a vast collection of Pokémon in one central location.
• Trade Pokémon: Engage in trades with other players around the world using the GTS (Global Trade System) or Wonder Box.
• Transfer Pokémon: Move Pokémon between compatible games.
• Receive Mystery Gifts: Obtain special Pokémon and items through Mystery Gifts.
• Check Battle Data: View rankings and battle data from other games.

The functionality of Pokémon HOME is crucial for the seamless transfer of your beloved creatures. You can further explore educational games through organizations like the Games Learning Society, which promotes understanding and advancement in the field of games and learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I unlink my Pokémon HOME account from my Nintendo Account?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly unlink your Pokémon HOME account from your Nintendo Account once they are linked. However, you can work around this. By unlinking your Nintendo Account from Pokémon GO as described earlier, you can then link Pokémon GO to a different Nintendo Account that is associated with a different Pokémon HOME account.

2. How do I completely reset my Pokémon HOME account?

To “reset” your Pokémon HOME account, the most direct method is to delete the app from your mobile device and then reinstall it. This will erase any locally stored data. However, this will not delete the Pokémon stored in the cloud unless you have a free account, in which case only 30 pokemon are stored after the subscription ends.

3. Can multiple Pokémon GO accounts connect to one Pokémon HOME account?

Yes. You can link multiple Pokémon GO accounts to a single Pokémon HOME account by ensuring each Pokémon GO account is linked to a Nintendo Account that is also linked to that Pokémon HOME account.

4. Why can’t I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon HOME to Pokémon GO?

Pokémon HOME is designed as a one-way transfer system. You can send Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, but not the other way around. This is a core design decision by the developers.

5. How many Pokémon can I transfer to Pokémon HOME at once from Pokémon GO?

You can transfer a maximum of 25 Pokémon at a time from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME. You cannot select which ones you want to receive individually; all selected Pokémon will be transferred together.

6. Can I transfer my Pokémon GO account to another email address?

If you’re using a Pokémon Trainer Club account, you can change the email associated with the account in the settings. If you are using a Google or Facebook account, you can first link the account to Facebook and then change the email associated with your Facebook account.

7. What Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME?

Certain special Pokémon, such as Partner Pikachu, Partner Eevee, and fused forms of Necrozma, Kyurem, and Calyrex, are restricted from being transferred to Pokémon HOME. Other restrictions may apply depending on the specific games involved.

8. What happens if I cancel my Pokémon HOME subscription?

If you cancel your Premium Plan subscription, you will revert to the Basic (free) Plan. With the Basic Plan, you can only store a limited number of Pokémon (30) in Pokémon HOME. You will still have access to your Pokémon, but you won’t be able to deposit more than the limit.

9. Is it against the Terms of Service to have multiple Pokémon GO accounts?

Yes, Niantic’s Terms of Service generally prohibit having multiple Pokémon GO accounts. While enforcement varies, it is technically a violation and could result in penalties.

10. Can I trade Pokémon with myself between different Switch games using Pokémon HOME?

Yes, you can use Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch to transfer Pokémon between different compatible Switch games that are linked to the same Nintendo Account.

11. Why won’t my Pokémon GO account connect to my Nintendo Switch?

Ensure that Airplane Mode is turned off on your Nintendo Switch. Also verify that any other Bluetooth devices connected to your smart device are unpaired or turned off.

12. How many accounts can be linked to Pokémon HOME?

Each Pokémon HOME account can be linked to one Nintendo Account at a time. However, the same Nintendo Account can be linked to both the Switch and mobile versions of Pokémon HOME, synchronizing information between the two.

13. Can you evolve Pokémon like Haunter through trades in Pokémon HOME?

Unfortunately, the trade evolution mechanic does not work in Pokémon HOME. Pokémon like Haunter will not evolve upon being traded within the app.

14. Can you trade Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! to Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Yes, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! to Pokémon Sword and Shield. However, once a Pokémon is moved from Let’s Go to Sword or Shield, it cannot be returned to its original game.

15. Why can’t I transfer shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

You can transfer shiny Pokémon from Pokémon GO. However, you cannot transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time. You may need to enable this option in your app settings for some transfers, especially for Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.

Conclusion

Unlinking and linking your Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME accounts, through the manipulation of your connected Nintendo Account, gives you the power to manage your Pokémon collection effectively across different platforms. Understanding the process, the benefits, and the limitations is key to maximizing your Pokémon experience.