Do You Lose Your Pokémon If Pokémon HOME Expires? Everything You Need to Know
No, you do not permanently lose your Pokémon if your Pokémon HOME subscription expires. While you won’t lose them forever, access to those beyond the initial free limit is restricted until you renew your subscription. Think of it as putting them in temporary storage – safe and sound, but inaccessible until you unlock the door again!
Understanding Pokémon HOME Storage and Subscriptions
Pokémon HOME has become an indispensable tool for serious Pokémon trainers, bridging the gap between different generations of games and allowing for unprecedented storage capacity. But understanding the nuances of its subscription model is crucial to managing your digital collection effectively.
The Basic Plan (Free)
The free version of Pokémon HOME offers limited, yet useful, functionality. You gain access to:
- One box for storing up to 30 Pokémon.
- Basic trading features.
- The National Pokédex, allowing you to view Pokémon you’ve registered.
The Premium Plan (Paid)
The Premium Plan unlocks the full potential of Pokémon HOME:
- Storage for up to 6,000 Pokémon across 200 boxes.
- The ability to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank (a 3DS service).
- Access to more advanced trading features, like the GTS (Global Trade System).
- Claiming rewards from online competitions and Mystery Gifts in Sword and Shield (and compatible future games).
What Happens When Your Premium Plan Lapses?
So, your Premium Plan has expired. Don’t panic! Here’s the breakdown:
- Your Pokémon are Safe: All the Pokémon you deposited into Pokémon HOME remain in the system. They are not deleted or lost.
- Limited Access: You revert to the Basic Plan, which means you only have access to the first 30 Pokémon you deposited. All Pokémon beyond that limit become inaccessible.
- Visualizing Your Basic Box: Pokémon HOME displays which 30 Pokémon will be available in your Basic Box if your plan changes.
- Renewal Restores Access: When you renew your Premium Plan, you instantly regain full access to all your stored Pokémon.
Managing Your Pokémon When Subscribing or Unsubscribing
Understanding how Pokémon HOME handles storage is key. If you have more than 30 Pokémon in your HOME account when your Premium plan lapses, only the 30 most recently deposited (or traded) Pokémon will be available in your Basic Box.
Therefore, before your Premium Plan expires, it’s a good idea to move any Pokémon you actively use to the first 30 slots to ensure continued access.
Pokémon HOME and the Pokémon Ecosystem
Pokémon HOME’s integration into the broader Pokémon universe is significant. It bridges the gap between generations, allowing you to transfer Pokémon from older games (via Pokémon Bank) to the latest titles. However, keep in mind that Pokémon can only be transferred to games they are natively compatible with. You can’t send a Pokémon from HOME to a game that doesn’t include that species in its regional Pokédex.
Connection to Different Games
- Pokémon Bank (3DS): A crucial stepping stone for bringing older Pokémon into HOME. Note that after March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank became a free service, allowing players to transfer their Pokémon to HOME without needing a paid subscription.
- Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!: These games have restricted compatibility. Pokémon can be moved into these games from Pokémon GO, but there are limitations.
- Pokémon Sword and Shield: Fully compatible with Pokémon HOME, allowing for transfers of Pokémon available in those games.
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: Compatible with Pokémon HOME.
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Introduced a unique transfer system, requiring Pokémon to be natively present in Arceus to be transferred there.
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Fully compatible, and the primary target for many HOME users looking to consolidate their collections.
Pokémon Obedience and Traded Pokémon
A common concern when transferring Pokémon is whether they’ll obey your commands in-game. This is dependent on your progress within the game.
- Badge Requirements: Traded Pokémon, or Pokémon from other games, may not obey you if their level is too high for the number of Gym Badges you’ve earned.
- Level Caps: Early in the game, you can only reliably command traded Pokémon up to a certain level. This level cap increases as you earn more Badges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pokémon HOME
1. How long will my Pokémon stay in Pokémon HOME?
Unlike the earlier Pokémon Bank, Pokémon HOME does not delete Pokémon after an unspecified period of inactivity. Your Pokémon are safe, but inaccessible beyond the 30-Pokémon limit if you revert to the Basic Plan.
2. What happens if I get Pokémon HOME after 2 years of not having it?
If you previously had a Premium Plan and let it expire, all your Pokémon will still be there when you resubscribe, provided you’re using the same Nintendo Account. You simply regain access to them.
3. How do I renew my Pokémon HOME subscription?
Open the Pokémon HOME application, tap the Menu icon, select Options, then Account, then Check Plan, and finally Manage Plan Renewal.
4. Can I put Pokémon back in Pokémon HOME after taking them out?
Yes, you can freely move Pokémon into HOME from compatible Switch games, and then move them back into another compatible Switch game. The exception is with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! which have limitations.
5. Can I refund Pokémon HOME?
Unfortunately, refunds are not offered for Pokémon HOME subscriptions.
6. How do I know which Pokémon will be in my Basic Box if my plan changes?
Pokémon HOME clearly displays which 30 Pokémon will be available when you switch to the Basic Plan. Generally, these are the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon.
7. Does Pokémon HOME renew automatically?
Yes, Premium Plan subscriptions automatically renew. You can manage this through your Nintendo Account settings.
8. Will Pokémon HOME be free after the eShop closes?
No, Pokémon HOME is a separate service from the 3DS eShop and Pokémon Bank. While Pokémon Bank is now free, Pokémon HOME requires a subscription (Basic or Premium) to function.
9. What is the point of Pokémon HOME?
Pokémon HOME acts as a central hub for storing, managing, and trading your Pokémon across various compatible games. It streamlines the process of transferring Pokémon and allows for expanded storage capacity.
10. Why won’t my traded Pokémon listen to me?
Traded Pokémon will only reliably obey you if you have earned enough Gym Badges in the game you’re playing. Higher-level Pokémon require more Badges.
11. Can you transfer Arceus to Pokémon HOME?
Yes, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is compatible with Pokémon HOME.
12. Can I transfer Pokémon from HOME to Scarlet and Violet?
Yes, you can transfer Pokémon between your HOME boxes and your Scarlet and Violet boxes to move them.
13. Can you have Pokémon HOME on multiple Switches?
Yes, you can access your Pokémon HOME account from multiple Nintendo Switch consoles as long as they are linked to the same Nintendo Account.
14. Can two people share a Pokémon HOME account?
No, you can only use one user profile per device in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME.
15. Is Pokémon Bank shutting down?
While you can no longer purchase passes for Pokémon Bank, it is still available as a free service to transfer Pokemon to Pokemon Home. There is no end date planned for this no-cost service.
Conclusion: Manage Your Subscription, But Don’t Fear Expiration
Ultimately, while losing access to your entire Pokémon collection due to an expired Pokémon HOME subscription might seem daunting, remember that your Pokémon are safe. By understanding the subscription tiers and managing your storage wisely, you can ensure a smooth experience and a secure home for your digital companions. And remember, the Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into gaming and its impact on learning and culture. You can explore more on this topic at GamesLearningSociety.org.