What Happens When Your Pokémon HOME Subscription Expires?

So, you’ve been happily hoarding Pokémon in Pokémon HOME, enjoying the expanded storage and features the Premium Plan offers. But life happens, and maybe your budget’s a little tight, or you simply forgot to renew. What exactly transpires when your Pokémon HOME subscription lapses? Don’t panic – your precious Pokémon aren’t vaporized into thin air, but there are some significant consequences you need to be aware of.

In short, when your Pokémon HOME Premium Plan expires, you revert to the Basic (free) Plan. This means you lose access to the expanded storage, trading features, and other perks. Your stored Pokémon will remain safe for a limited time, but only the first 30 Pokémon in your Basic Box will be immediately accessible. The rest essentially go into a state of suspended animation, inaccessible until you renew your subscription. Think of it as a storage unit that’s been locked until you pay the bill.

Let’s delve deeper into what that means for your gameplay and how to navigate the situation.

The Repercussions of Lapsing

The shift from Premium to Basic has several immediate impacts:

• Limited Storage: The most significant change is the reduction in storage capacity. The Premium Plan allows you to store up to 6,000 Pokémon, spread across numerous boxes. The Basic Plan limits you to a single box containing a maximum of 30 Pokémon. Any Pokémon beyond that number become inaccessible until you resubscribe.

• Restricted Trading: The Basic Plan offers limited trading functionalities compared to the Premium Plan. You may not be able to use the Global Trade System (GTS) as freely, or participate in Room Trades with larger groups. Trading is a cornerstone of the Pokémon experience, so this limitation can be frustrating.

• Loss of Judge Function: The Judge function, which allows you to quickly assess a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs), is a Premium feature. This makes competitive breeding and training much more difficult on the Basic Plan.

• No Access to Move Tutor: Premium subscribers have the ability to change Pokemon’s moves. That advantage is lost without the subscription.

• Limited Compatibility Features: Certain features that integrate Pokémon HOME with other games, such as receiving Mystery Gifts or transferring Pokémon from older titles, might be restricted or unavailable with the Basic Plan.

What Happens to Your Stored Pokémon?

This is the big question, and the most important aspect to understand. Your Pokémon aren’t immediately deleted. However, they are held in a sort of limbo. Pokémon HOME doesn’t specify a precise deadline for how long it will hold these Pokémon, but it’s crucial to act promptly. The official Pokémon Support website states that Pokémon will remain in Pokémon HOME for a “certain period of time” after your Premium Plan expires. This period isn’t defined, so it’s best not to risk it.

During this grace period, only the 30 Pokémon stored in your Basic Box are accessible. You can view them, withdraw them, and use them in compatible games. The remaining Pokémon are essentially frozen in place. You cannot view their stats, move them, or interact with them in any way until you renew your Premium Plan.

If you fail to renew your subscription within the undefined timeframe, your extra Pokémon will be permanently deleted. This is why it is critical to remember to renew your subscription.

Proactive Steps to Take Before Your Subscription Expires

To avoid potential heartbreak, it’s wise to take preventative measures before your subscription lapses:

1. Transfer Pokémon: If you anticipate letting your subscription expire, prioritize transferring your most valuable or essential Pokémon to compatible games like Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, or the latest titles, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This ensures you retain full access to them.

2. Organize Your Basic Box: Strategically select the 30 Pokémon you want to keep immediately accessible and move them to your Basic Box. Consider Pokémon you use frequently in battles, those with sentimental value, or breeding projects you want to continue.

3. Back Up Important Data: While Pokémon HOME is primarily for storing Pokémon, note down any crucial information about your teams, such as movesets, held items, and strategies. This information isn’t directly stored in Pokémon HOME, but losing access to your Pokémon can disrupt your established teams and strategies.

4. Set a Reminder: Set a reminder on your phone or calendar a week or two before your subscription is due to expire. This gives you ample time to take the necessary steps to safeguard your Pokémon.

Regaining Access

The good news is that regaining access to your stored Pokémon is as simple as renewing your Pokémon HOME Premium Plan. Once you resubscribe, you’ll immediately regain access to all your stored Pokémon, expanded storage, and Premium features.

To renew your subscription:

1. Open the Pokémon HOME application on your Nintendo Switch or mobile device.
2. Tap the Menu icon.
3. Select “Options.”
4. Tap “Account.”
5. Select “Check Plan” then “Manage Plan Renewal.”

Understanding the Value Proposition of Pokémon HOME

Pokémon HOME serves as a centralized hub for your Pokémon collection, bridging the gap between different generations and games. It’s a valuable tool for serious collectors, competitive players, and anyone who wants to safeguard their cherished Pokémon.

Whether the cost of the Premium Plan is worthwhile depends on your individual needs and play style. If you actively trade, breed competitively, or have a large collection spanning multiple games, the Premium Plan is a compelling investment. If you only play casually and have a limited number of Pokémon, the Basic Plan may suffice.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will my Pokémon be deleted immediately if my subscription expires?

No, your Pokémon won’t be immediately deleted. They will be held for a certain (unspecified) period of time, during which only the 30 Pokémon in your Basic Box are accessible. After this period, the rest of your Pokémon may be permanently deleted.

2. How long does Pokémon HOME hold my Pokémon after my subscription expires?

Pokémon HOME doesn’t provide a specific timeframe. The official statement is “a certain period of time.” It’s best to renew your subscription as soon as possible to avoid any risk of losing your Pokémon.

3. What happens to the Pokémon in my Wonder Box if my subscription lapses?

If your Premium Plan expires, you’ll lose access to the Wonder Box and GTS features until you renew your subscription. Any Pokémon currently in the Wonder Box will likely be inaccessible until you resubscribe, at which point the trade may or may not have occurred.

4. Can I still transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME with the Basic Plan?

No. Transferring from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME requires a Premium Plan.

5. Can I use the Judge function with the Basic Plan?

No, the Judge function, which allows you to check a Pokémon’s IVs, is a Premium Plan feature only.

6. Is Pokémon HOME a one-time purchase?

No, Pokémon HOME is a subscription service. You can use the Basic Plan for free, but access to full features and storage requires a paid Premium Plan.

7. How much does the Pokémon HOME Premium Plan cost?

The Premium Plan has three payment options: $2.99 for one month, $4.99 for three months, or $15.99 for 12 months.

8. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME with the Basic Plan?

Yes, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME with the Basic Plan.

9. Can I move Pokémon from Pokémon HOME back to Pokémon GO?

No, Pokémon can only be transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, not the other way around.

10. How many Pokémon can I store in the Basic Box?

The Basic Box allows you to store a maximum of 30 Pokémon.

11. Will Pokémon HOME automatically renew my subscription?

Yes, unless you disable automatic renewal in your account settings. It is imperative that you know how to do that.

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

Yes, you can unlink your accounts. Doing so will require you to start with a fresh Pokémon HOME account.

13. What happens if I transfer an illegal (hacked) Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?

Pokémon HOME has checks to detect illegal Pokémon. If detected, the transfer may be blocked. You may be able to transfer it, but that is not guaranteed.

14. Is Pokémon Bank shutting down?

No, Pokémon Bank is not shutting down. Instead, it became free to use following the discontinuation of the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

15. If Pokémon Bank is free, why should I use Pokémon HOME?

Pokémon Bank is limited to transferring Pokémon from older 3DS-era games. Pokémon HOME serves as a central hub for transferring Pokémon between the Switch-era and mobile titles. It is the modern solution.

Ultimately, understanding the consequences of letting your Pokémon HOME subscription lapse allows you to make informed decisions and protect your precious Pokémon collection. Plan ahead, manage your storage wisely, and stay aware of your subscription status to ensure a smooth and enjoyable Pokémon experience.