Does Pokémon HOME Have a Limit? Understanding Storage and Transfers in the Cloud
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Yes, Pokémon HOME absolutely has limits, but those limits depend entirely on whether you’re using the free Basic Plan or the paid Premium Plan. The Basic Plan is severely restricted, while the Premium Plan offers substantially more storage and features. It’s crucial to understand these limits before committing to the service, especially if you’re a dedicated Pokémon collector!
Understanding Pokémon HOME Storage Limits
The primary limitation within Pokémon HOME revolves around storage capacity. This dictates how many Pokémon you can keep within the cloud service itself. Think of it as digital storage for all your captured companions across various games.
Basic Plan (Free) Limitations
The free Basic Plan is designed for casual users and comes with significant restrictions:
- Maximum Pokémon Storage: You are limited to storing only 30 Pokémon. This can fill up incredibly quickly if you’re transferring Pokémon from multiple games.
- Number of Boxes: The Basic Plan only provides one Basic Box. This makes organization extremely challenging, as you can’t easily sort your Pokémon into different categories.
- Wonder Box: Only able to place 3 Pokemon in the Wonder Box.
Premium Plan (Paid) Advantages
The Premium Plan removes nearly all storage restrictions, offering a vastly superior experience for serious collectors:
- Maximum Pokémon Storage: You can store up to 6,000 Pokémon. This is a massive increase compared to the Basic Plan and should be sufficient for even the most avid collectors.
- Number of Boxes: The Premium Plan provides 200 Boxes. This allows you to meticulously organize your Pokémon by type, game of origin, or any other criteria you choose.
- Wonder Box: Can place up to 10 Pokemon in the Wonder Box.
What Happens When a Premium Plan Expires?
A common concern is what happens if you downgrade from the Premium Plan to the Basic Plan. If you deposit more than 30 Pokémon in Pokémon HOME while you have the Premium Plan and your plan then changes to the no-cost Basic Plan, then only the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon will be in your Basic Box. The Pokémon will remain in Pokémon HOME for a certain period of time.
Important: While your extra Pokémon are not immediately deleted, you will not be able to access them until you resubscribe to the Premium Plan. Eventually, if you do not resubscribe, those Pokémon will be lost.
Transfer Limitations from Other Games
Beyond storage, it’s vital to understand the limitations on transferring Pokémon to Pokémon HOME from various source games, especially Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO Transfer Restrictions
Not all Pokémon are eligible for transfer from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME. These restrictions are in place for various reasons, often related to the specific mechanics or events in Pokémon GO.
- Non-Transferable Pokémon: The following cannot be transferred:
- Spinda
- Favorited Pokémon
- Buddy Pokémon
- Pokémon Defending Gyms
- Costumed Pokémon
- Shadow Pokémon
- Mega-Evolved Pokémon
The GO Transporter Energy
Transferring Pokémon from GO to HOME also requires GO Transporter Energy. This energy is consumed with each transfer, and certain Pokémon (especially Shiny, Legendary, and Mythical Pokémon) require significantly more energy than common Pokémon. The energy replenishes over time, or you can use PokéCoins to instantly refill it.
One-Way Transfer from Pokémon Bank
Pokémon transferred to Pokémon HOME from Pokémon Bank cannot be transferred back to Pokémon Bank or used with Nintendo 3DS titles. This is a one-way street. Plan your transfers carefully!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pokémon HOME Limits
Here are 15 commonly asked questions about the limitations of Pokémon HOME:
1. How many games can connect to Pokémon HOME?
The Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME supports connectivity with the Nintendo Switch games 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!.
2. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME after March 2023?
Yes, but only by enrolling in a paid Pokémon HOME Premium Plan. On March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank’s paid passes were no longer offered for purchase, and the application is no longer available to download.
3. Is Pokémon HOME Premium worth it?
If you’re a serious Pokémon collector, especially if you plan to transfer Pokémon from older games or trade extensively, the Premium version is generally considered worth the investment. The increased storage capacity and additional features make it a much more practical tool for managing a large collection. But, for very casual players, the free version might suffice. You can do almost everything that the premium option does, just in smaller quantities.
4. Do I need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use Pokémon HOME?
No, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to use the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME. However, a Nintendo Switch Online Membership may be required to play certain games that connect with Pokémon HOME.
5. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME for free?
Yes, linking Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME is free, but you will need to spend energy to transfer Pokemon, so make sure to be aware of how much energy you have available for transferring. You don’t need a paid Premium Plan for Pokémon HOME in order to link Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME.
6. Why can’t I transfer Pokémon from GO to HOME?
Make sure you’ve completed the tutorial for the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME. Transferring also costs GO Transporter Energy.
7. Will I lose my Pokémon if my Pokémon HOME subscription expires?
Your Pokémon will remain unharmed for a certain period of time, but you’ll only be able to access the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon if your subscription lapses. The Pokemon will remain in Pokémon HOME for a limited time.
8. Can two people use the same Pokémon HOME account?
No, Pokémon HOME can only be linked to one Nintendo Account at a time. However, the same Nintendo Account can be linked to both the Nintendo Switch and mobile versions of Pokémon HOME.
9. What is the point of Pokémon HOME?
Pokémon HOME is a cloud service that allows you to move Pokémon between compatible games, trade Pokémon, collect Pokémon HOME Points, and receive Mystery Gift Pokémon. It acts as a central hub for your Pokémon collection.
10. How do I add more Pokémon games to my Pokémon HOME?
Access the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch where you’ve played any of the compatible Pokémon games and download Pokémon HOME. Launch Pokémon HOME from the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu. Select Pokémon from the main menu. Select the game you want to connect to, as well as which user’s save data you will access.
11. Why can’t I transfer Shiny Pokémon from GO to HOME?
You can transfer Shiny Pokémon, but you’re unable to transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time. Additionally, certain Legendary and some Mythical Pokémon are not able to be selected for transfer.
12. Can you transfer Mythical Pokémon from GO to HOME?
Yes, Pokémon Go trainers can mass transfer their Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to Pokémon Home. Players will need to enable Mass Transferring.
13. Why can Meloetta be transferred from GO to HOME?
Meloetta in Pirouette Forme is not yet released into the game but, when it is, its other form is meant to be a temporary change, so Pokemon HOME reverts the Meloetta back into the Aria form if someone transfers it out of Pokemon GO.
14. Can you transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Sleep to Pokémon HOME?
Currently, there is no way of transferring Pokémon from Sleep to Pokémon HOME or other games in the franchise. The creatures that are captured in the new mobile sleep-monitoring app are limited to that specific software, and can only be utilized there.
15. Do Pokémon transferred to a new game obey you?
At the start of the game, you can only effectively use traded Pokémon of up to Lv. 10, but for every two Badges you earn, the level of the Pokémon you can reliably command rises by 20 levels. Once you’ve collected all eight Gym Badges, all of your Pokémon will obey you without question. This is crucial for understanding why some players might want to start with their favorite Pokémon early on.
Understanding the limitations of Pokémon HOME is essential for making the most of the service. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated collector, knowing the storage capacities, transfer restrictions, and subscription implications will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. For more insights into the world of gaming and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.