Retrieving Your Precious Pocket Monsters: Can You Recover Pokémon from Pokémon Bank?
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Yes, you can recover Pokémon from Pokémon Bank, but the process depends on whether you’re moving them back to their original games or transferring them to Pokémon HOME. The Nintendo eShop for the 3DS family shut down in March 2023, making Pokémon Bank free to use if you already had it downloaded. Although the service is still operational, understanding the limitations and procedures is key to keeping your Pokémon safe and accessible.
Understanding Pokémon Bank and Its Functionality
Pokémon Bank acts as a cloud-based storage system for your Pokémon from various 3DS titles. Think of it as a digital warehouse where you can safely keep your beloved creatures. It’s designed to facilitate the movement of Pokémon between compatible games, allowing you to consolidate your collection from older titles into newer ones, or even just to keep them safe if you plan to restart a game.
However, Pokémon Bank is not a time machine. Pokémon transferred to Pokémon Bank from older generations cannot be directly moved back to those older games. Once a Pokémon has been transferred through Pokémon Bank to a newer generation, it cannot return to its original cartridge.
The Two Primary Recovery Paths
There are essentially two paths for “recovering” your Pokémon from Pokémon Bank:
- Transferring back to compatible 3DS games: You can move Pokémon directly from Pokémon Bank back into compatible games on the 3DS, such as Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. This is a straightforward process done within the Pokémon Bank application itself.
- Transferring to Pokémon HOME: This is the most common “recovery” method these days, especially with the focus shifting towards the Nintendo Switch. Pokémon HOME is the successor to Pokémon Bank, designed as a central hub for managing your Pokémon across various games and platforms. To move Pokémon from Bank to HOME, you need a Premium Plan for Pokémon HOME.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Pokémon to HOME
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to transfer your Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME:
- Ensure you have a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan: A Premium Plan is required to transfer from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME.
- Download Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch: This is a free download from the Nintendo eShop.
- Download Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter on your 3DS: If you haven’t already, download these applications before the eShop shut down. However, since the eShop is closed now you will not be able to download them if you had not already done so.
- Start Pokémon Bank on your 3DS: Make sure your 3DS is connected to the internet.
- Open Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch: Select “Begin Transfer” from the main menu of Pokémon HOME.
- Generate a Moving Key: Pokémon HOME will generate a Moving Key. This key is a temporary password that allows your 3DS to connect to your Pokémon HOME account.
- Enter the Moving Key in Pokémon Bank: In Pokémon Bank on your 3DS, select “Move Pokémon to Pokémon HOME” and enter the Moving Key.
- Select the Boxes to Transfer: Choose which boxes of Pokémon you want to transfer. Keep in mind that once transferred, Pokémon cannot return to Pokémon Bank.
- Confirm and Begin Transfer: Double-check your selection and initiate the transfer. The time it takes will depend on the number of Pokémon you’re moving.
- Claim Your Pokémon in Pokémon HOME: Once the transfer is complete, your Pokémon will appear in your Pokémon HOME boxes.
What About Expired Pokémon Bank Subscriptions?
Fortunately, with the Nintendo eShop’s closure, Pokémon Bank is now free to use. Previously, if your subscription expired, you risked losing your Pokémon after a certain period. However, this is no longer a concern. You can still access your Pokémon in Bank and transfer them to Pokémon HOME, provided you have a Premium Plan.
Important Considerations
- No Going Back (Generations): As emphasized before, Pokémon cannot move backward through generations using Pokémon Bank. Once they’re in a newer game, they’re stuck there.
- Held Items: Held items do not transfer through Pokémon Bank. Before depositing a Pokémon, ensure you remove any items you wish to keep. The items will simply be returned to your bag in the original game.
- Hacked Pokémon: Pokémon Bank has basic checks to prevent obviously hacked Pokémon from being transferred. Pokémon HOME has even better detection. However, it’s still possible for some to slip through.
- Transfer Time: The transfer process can take a significant amount of time, especially if you have many Pokémon. Ensure your 3DS and Switch are fully charged or plugged in to avoid interruptions.
FAQs: Your Pokémon Bank Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify how to recover your Pokémon from Pokémon Bank:
1. Can I transfer Pokémon from older generations (like Game Boy Advance) directly to Pokémon Bank?
No. Pokémon Bank only supports Pokémon transferred from Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, White 2, X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. You’ll need to use the Poké Transporter application (available within Pokémon Bank) to move Pokémon from the Generation 5 games (Black, White, Black 2, White 2) into Pokémon Bank.
2. What is Poké Transporter and how does it work?
Poké Transporter is a companion application to Pokémon Bank that allows you to transfer Pokémon from Generation 5 (Black, White, Black 2, White 2) to Pokémon Bank. It essentially acts as a bridge between the older games and the modern storage system. You need to have Pokémon Bank downloaded to get Poké Transporter.
3. What happens if I try to transfer a hacked Pokémon through Pokémon Bank?
Pokémon Bank has a basic filter for hacked Pokémon. If the system detects an obvious hack (e.g., impossible stats or abilities), it will prevent the transfer. However, more subtle hacks might slip through.
4. Does Pokémon Bank remove held items?
Yes, Pokémon Bank automatically removes held items before depositing a Pokémon. These items are returned to your bag in the original game.
5. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon GO?
No, Pokémon Bank does not directly interact with Pokémon GO. You can, however, transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, and then potentially to other Switch games that are compatible.
6. I don’t have a Nintendo Switch. Can I still use Pokémon Bank?
You can still use Pokémon Bank to store and manage your Pokémon on the 3DS. However, to transfer them to newer generations, you will need access to a Nintendo Switch and Pokémon HOME.
7. Is Pokémon Bank free now?
Yes, with the closure of the Nintendo eShop for the 3DS, Pokémon Bank is now free to use for anyone who already downloaded it.
8. Do I need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use Pokémon HOME?
No, you do not need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use Pokémon HOME. However, you will need a Premium Plan to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank.
9. How long does it take to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME?
The transfer time depends on the number of Pokémon you’re moving. It can range from a few minutes to several hours for a large collection.
10. Can I cancel a transfer in progress from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME?
No, once the transfer has started, you cannot cancel it. Make sure you’re ready to commit before initiating the process.
11. What happens if my 3DS loses power during the transfer process?
Losing power during the transfer can corrupt the data. While rare, it’s possible to lose the Pokémon being transferred. It’s best to ensure your 3DS is fully charged or plugged in. If this happens contact Nintendo support.
12. Can I use Pokémon Bank on multiple 3DS consoles?
Yes, you can use Pokémon Bank on multiple 3DS consoles, but only one console can be linked to your Nintendo Network ID at a time.
13. What are the limits on how many Pokémon I can store in Pokémon Bank?
Pokémon Bank can store up to 3,000 Pokémon across 100 boxes.
14. Can I trade Pokémon within Pokémon Bank?
No, Pokémon Bank is primarily a storage system and does not support trading. You can, however, trade them in the games they can be transferred to.
15. Will Pokémon Bank eventually shut down completely?
Nintendo has not announced a specific end date for Pokémon Bank’s service. However, given the age of the 3DS and the focus on the Nintendo Switch, it’s likely that the service will eventually be discontinued. It’s best to transfer your Pokémon to Pokémon HOME as soon as possible to ensure their safety.
Keeping Your Pokémon Safe and Sound
Pokémon Bank, despite its age, remains a crucial tool for managing your Pokémon collection. Understanding how to use it and transfer your Pokémon to Pokémon HOME ensures that your beloved creatures will continue their journey with you into the future. It is important to familiarize yourself with the processes above to protect your Pokémon for years to come.
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