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Can You Gift Someone Pokémon Go Coins? The Ultimate Guide

The short answer is a definitive no. As of right now, Pokémon Go does not offer a direct gifting feature for PokéCoins. You cannot directly transfer PokéCoins from your account to another player’s account. However, there are still indirect ways to help your friends out in the game, which we’ll explore in this article.

Understanding PokéCoins and Their Importance

PokéCoins are the premium currency in Pokémon Go, used to purchase a variety of in-game items that enhance the playing experience. These items range from Incense and Lure Modules, which attract Pokémon, to Lucky Eggs for increased XP gains, and storage upgrades for your Pokémon and items. Obtaining PokéCoins typically involves either earning them through gameplay by defending Gyms or purchasing them with real money through the in-app store.

Indirect Ways to “Gift” PokéCoins

While you can’t directly send PokéCoins, you can still support your friends’ Pokémon Go adventures. Here are some creative workarounds:

Gift Cards: The most common method is to purchase Google Play Store gift cards (for Android users) or App Store & iTunes gift cards (for iOS users) and give them to your friends. They can then redeem these gift cards and use the credit to buy PokéCoins themselves. This is the closest you can get to gifting PokéCoins directly.
Collaborative Events: Organize community events where you cover the cost of Lure Modules at various PokéStops. This attracts Pokémon for everyone in the area, essentially benefiting your friends without directly gifting them PokéCoins.
Helping with Real-World Expenses: Pokémon Go often requires players to travel to different locations to find specific Pokémon or participate in Raids. Offering to help with transportation costs or providing snacks and drinks during gameplay sessions is another way to support your friends.
Trading Pokémon: While it’s not directly related to PokéCoins, trading can be a valuable way to help your friends complete their Pokédex or obtain powerful Pokémon. This contributes to their overall enjoyment of the game, and you can even trade for valuable Pokémon that they can use to defend gyms for coins.

Why No Direct Gifting Feature?

The absence of a direct gifting feature for PokéCoins likely stems from several factors:

Fraud Prevention: A direct gifting system could be easily exploited for fraudulent activities, such as creating numerous accounts to accumulate and transfer PokéCoins to a single account. This could undermine the game’s economy.
Revenue Model: Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go, relies on in-app purchases for revenue. A direct gifting feature could potentially decrease the number of PokéCoin purchases, affecting the company’s profits.
Game Balance: Allowing players to freely transfer PokéCoins could disrupt the game’s balance, as some players might be able to acquire an unfair advantage over others.

FAQs: All About PokéCoins and Gifting

1. How do I earn PokéCoins in Pokémon Go?

You can earn PokéCoins by defending Gyms. For every 10 minutes your Pokémon defends a Gym, you earn one PokéCoin. However, there is a daily limit of 50 PokéCoins, regardless of how many Pokémon you have defending Gyms or how long they have been defending.

2. Can I buy PokéCoins online outside of the Pokémon Go app?

Yes, Niantic has launched the Pokémon GO Web Store, allowing players to purchase PokéCoins outside the app. This enables Niantic to avoid the commission fees charged by Apple and Google for in-app purchases.

3. What can I spend PokéCoins on in Pokémon Go?

PokéCoins can be spent on a variety of in-game items, including:

Incense: Attracts Pokémon to your location.
Lure Modules: Attracts Pokémon to a PokéStop.
Lucky Eggs: Doubles the amount of XP earned for a limited time.
Storage Upgrades: Increases the capacity of your Pokémon Storage and Item Bag.
Raid Passes: Allows you to participate in Raid Battles.
Avatar Items: Customize your Trainer’s appearance.

4. What gift cards can I use to buy PokéCoins?

You can use Google Play Store gift cards (for Android devices) and App Store & iTunes gift cards (for iOS devices) to purchase PokéCoins. Redeem the gift card in your respective app store, and the balance will be available for in-app purchases in Pokémon Go.

5. Is there a limit to how many PokéCoins I can hold in my account?

There is a limit to the amount of PokéCoins you can have. While the exact amount isn’t officially publicized, it’s generally believed to be around 10,000-15,000 PokéCoins.

6. Why can’t I buy PokéCoins in Pokémon Go?

There could be several reasons why you can’t buy PokéCoins:

Payment Method Issues: Ensure your payment method is valid and up-to-date in your Google Play, Galaxy Store, or iTunes settings.
Communication Issues: Pokémon Go needs to communicate with Google Play Services (on Android) to process purchases. Make sure Google Play Services is up-to-date and has the necessary permissions.
Account Restrictions: Check your account settings to ensure you haven’t accidentally disabled in-app purchases.

7. Can I trade Pokémon with friends in Pokémon Go?

Yes, you can trade Pokémon with friends who are nearby. To trade, you need to be at least Trainer Level 10, be within a certain distance of each other, and have enough Stardust. Special Pokémon trades may require additional Stardust and can only be done once per day with a specific friend.

8. What are the benefits of having a Buddy Pokémon?

Your Buddy Pokémon can provide various benefits, including:

Candies: Earn candies for your Buddy’s species by walking a certain distance.
Presents: Your Buddy may bring you gifts like Berries and Potions.
Souvenirs: Your Buddy may find souvenirs at PokéStops.
CP Boost: Some Buddy Pokémon can receive a CP boost.

9. What is the maximum number of gifts I can hold in my Item Bag?

You can only hold a maximum of 10 gifts in your Item Bag at a time. You can also only open 30 gifts per day and receive a maximum of 100 gifts from spinning pokestops.

10. How many PokéStops can I spin in a day?

You can spin up to 1200 PokéStops every 24 hours.

11. What happens if I spin PokéStops 7 days in a row?

Spinning a PokéStop every day for 7 consecutive days rewards you with a bonus of 2500 XP and an increased amount of items. The first PokéStop you visit in a day will have a bonus of 500 XP and extra Poké Balls, Potions, and/or other items.

12. How do Golden PokéStops work?

Golden PokéStops are special PokéStops that appear during certain events or when using a Golden Lure Module. Spinning them gives you a chance to receive a Mysterious Coin, which is related to the Roaming Form Gimmighoul Pokémon. They are only active for 15-30 minutes

13. Can I send items to friends in Pokémon Go?

You can send gifts to friends, which you obtain by spinning PokéStops. These gifts contain various items like Potions, Poké Balls, and Stickers. However, you cannot open gifts yourself; you can only send them to friends.

14. What is the maximum number of PokéCoins I can earn per day by defending Gyms?

The maximum number of PokéCoins you can earn per day by defending Gyms is 50.

15. How long does it take for a PokéStop nomination to be approved?

The review process for PokéStop nominations can take several weeks or months, depending on the level of review needed and the number of nominations in the queue. Once the community has made a decision, you’ll receive an email notification.

Conclusion

While directly gifting PokéCoins isn’t possible in Pokémon Go, there are still numerous ways to support your friends and enhance their gaming experience. Whether through gift cards, collaborative events, or simply offering assistance with real-world expenses, you can help your friends on their Pokémon Go journey. Keep exploring, keep catching, and remember that the best part of Pokémon Go is the community and shared experiences! To learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and community building, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Can you gift someone Pokemon Go coins?