Are Pokémon Bank and Home Compatible?

Pokémon Bank and Pokémon HOME are compatible, allowing users to transfer their Pokémon between the two services, with some limitations and requirements, such as the need for a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan to move Pokémon from Pokémon Bank. The compatibility between Pokémon Bank and Pokémon HOME enables users to access and manage their Pokémon across different platforms, including Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch.

Pokémon Bank and Home Compatibility FAQs

General Information

1. Can you still use Pokémon Bank in 2023?: Yes, Pokémon Bank can still be used in 2023, but paid passes are no longer available for purchase, and the service is now free to use, with the requirement to have downloaded it before March 27, 2023.
2. What happens to my Pokémon if I stop paying for Pokémon Bank?: If your trial pass or annual pass expires and you do not purchase a new pass, you can still withdraw your Pokémon from Pokémon Bank for a set period, but any remaining Pokémon will be lost after that time.
3. Can I transfer Pokémon from Bank to Home for free?: Yes, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME for free, but you need to link your Nintendo Network ID to your Nintendo Account and have a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan.

Transfer Requirements and Limitations

4. What Pokémon cannot be transferred from Bank to Home?: Certain Pokémon, such as those wearing clothes that aren’t part of their design, Spinda, Lucky, Shadow, and Purified Pokémon, cannot be transferred from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME.
5. Is it too late to transfer Pokémon from Bank to Home?: No, it’s not too late to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME, but Nintendo 3DS online services will be discontinued in April 2024, so it’s recommended to transfer your Pokémon as soon as possible.
6. How do I transfer Pokémon from Bank to Home in 2023?: To transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME in 2023, select Move Pokémon to Pokémon HOME from the Pokémon Bank main menu, choose the Boxes you want to move, and confirm the transfer.

Pokémon HOME and Premium Plan

7. Can you still use Pokémon Bank after March 2023?: Yes, Pokémon Bank can still be used after March 2023, but you’ll need to be enrolled in a paid Pokémon HOME Premium Plan to transfer Pokémon.
8. What is the difference between Pokémon HOME and Pokémon Bank?: Pokémon HOME is the next generation of Pokémon storage, intended for Nintendo Switch players, while Pokémon Bank is only for 3DS handheld Pokémon RPG main games.
9. How much does it cost to transfer Pokémon from Bank to Home?: Transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME requires a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan, which costs $2.99 for one month, $4.99 for three months, and $15.99 for one year.

Technical and Compatibility Issues

10. Can I switch my Pokémon from the Pokébank to Pokémon HOME?: Yes, Pokémon HOME will search for a Pokémon Bank account under the same Nintendo Account name and transfer the Pokémon if found.
11. Why can’t I move Pokémon from Home to Sword?: Certain Pokémon require you to have caught them or registered them in your Pokédex first to transfer them from Pokémon HOME to Sword and Shield.
12. Can you transfer illegal Pokémon to Pokémon Bank?: Pokémon Bank will not allow the transfer of hacked Pokémon, but it won’t ban you for trying to bring one in.

Plan and Subscription

13. Can I use Pokémon HOME without paying?: Yes, Pokémon HOME has a free Basic Plan, but it has limited features and storage space, while the Premium Plan offers more storage and features.
14. Why does Pokémon HOME cost money?: The Premium Plan costs money because it offers significantly more storage space and features, such as the ability to store more than 30 Pokémon and deposit multiple Pokémon on the Global Trade System.
15. Will I lose my Pokémon if Pokémon HOME expires?: No, your Pokémon will remain safe, but you’ll lose access to some of them if you don’t have a Premium Plan, as the free Basic Plan only allows access to one box of 30 Pokémon.