Can you transfer old Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?

The answer to the question of whether you can transfer old Pokémon to Pokémon HOME is yes, with certain limitations and requirements, such as compatibility with specific Pokémon games and the need for specific hardware for older games like Ruby and Sapphire. You can move Pokémon to Home from as far back as Ruby and Sapphire — if you still have the hardware for it, making it possible to bring your old favorites into the newer games and utilize the features of Pokémon HOME, such as storing, trading, and transferring Pokémon between compatible games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transferring Pokémon

1. How far back can you transfer Pokémon to home? You can move Pokémon to Home from as far back as Ruby and Sapphire — if you still have the hardware for it.
2. What Pokémon can you not transfer from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME? Some Pokémon cannot be sent to Pokémon HOME, and thus cannot be selected on the GO Transporter screen, including Spinda, favorited Pokémon, Buddy Pokémon, Pokémon defending Gyms, costumed Pokémon, Shadow Pokémon, and Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
3. Can you transfer all Pokémon to Pokémon HOME? You can only transfer Pokémon between Pokémon HOME and specific Pokémon games, including Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! using the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME.

Pokémon HOME Features and Limitations

4. What is the point of Pokémon HOME? Pokémon HOME is a cloud service that can be accessed using a Nintendo Switch console and compatible mobile devices, allowing you to move Pokémon between compatible games, trade Pokémon on the go, collect Pokémon HOME Points, receive special Mystery Gift Pokémon, and more.
5. How many Pokémon can I transfer to home? A maximum of 25 Pokémon can be moved at once from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, and all Pokémon will be received at once.
6. How many Pokémon can you put in home? With the Basic Plan, users have access to the Basic Box which can hold up to 30 Pokémon from compatible games.

Compatibility and Requirements

7. What games can you transfer Pokémon to home? Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, and Pokémon Shield are mutually compatible with Pokémon HOME.
8. Which Pokémon Cannot be transferred to Scarlet and Violet? Certain Pokémon from previous generations, including some from the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola regions, cannot be transferred to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
9. Can you still use Pokemon Bank in 2023? As of March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank’s paid passes are no longer offered for purchase, but Trainers can still use Pokémon Bank at no cost.

Transferring and Storing Pokémon

10. How do I transfer Pokémon from old games? You can transfer Pokémon from old games to Pokémon HOME using Pokémon Bank and the GO Transporter feature.
11. How to Transfer Pokemon from Bank to Pokemon HOME You can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME by selecting Move Pokémon to Pokémon HOME from the main menu in Pokémon Bank.
12. What happens to my Pokémon if I don’t renew Pokémon HOME? If you deposit more than 30 Pokémon in your Basic Box in Pokémon HOME while you have the Premium Plan, and your plan then changes to the no-cost Basic Plan, you will not be able to view or withdraw any Pokémon beyond the 30th Pokémon you deposited in your Basic Box.

Pokémon HOME Plans and Features

13. What can Pokémon HOME do for free? Players with a free Pokémon HOME Basic Plan can use Pokémon HOME to move and trade Pokémon between compatible Pokémon games.
14. Why should I send Pokemon to Pokémon HOME? Sending Pokémon to Pokémon HOME allows you to register them in the Pokédex, view more information about them, and utilize the features of Pokémon HOME.
15. Can two people use the same Pokémon HOME? No, Pokémon HOME can only be linked to one Nintendo Account at a time, but the same Nintendo Account can be linked to both the Nintendo Switch and mobile versions of Pokémon HOME, which will sync the information between the two versions.