Where Did My Pokémon Go? Troubleshooting Visibility Issues in Pokémon HOME
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So, you’ve carefully transferred your beloved Pokémon to Pokémon HOME, the cloud-based storage system designed to unite your collection across generations of games. But now, you’re staring at an empty box, wondering, “Where did my Pokémon go?” Don’t panic! Several common issues can cause this temporary disappearance, and with a little troubleshooting, you can usually get your team back where they belong.
The most common reason for not seeing your Pokémon in Pokémon HOME is an issue with Nintendo Account linking. Specifically, if you’ve transferred Pokémon from a Nintendo Switch game (like Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, or Violet) you need to ensure both the Switch version of Pokémon HOME and the mobile version are linked to the exact same Nintendo Account. If they aren’t, the data won’t synchronize, and you’ll only see Pokémon stored directly through the mobile app (like those received as gifts).
Other reasons why you might not be able to see your Pokémon in Pokémon HOME include:
- Subscription Status: If your Premium Plan has expired and you’ve stored more than 30 Pokémon, you’ll only see the first 30. The rest are still there but inaccessible until you renew your subscription.
- Transfer Completion: Ensure the transfer process from Pokémon Bank or another HOME account was fully completed. Sometimes, interruptions can leave Pokémon in limbo.
- Filtering Issues: Double-check that you haven’t accidentally applied filters in Pokémon HOME that are hiding your Pokémon.
- Glitches: Occasionally, a rare glitch might occur. Restarting the app or your device usually resolves this.
- Account Region: Ensure the region settings on your Nintendo Account are consistent with the region of your Pokémon games.
- Pokémon GO Transfers: Did you enable transferring multiple Legendary or Mythical Pokémon in the app settings? Are you trying to transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with Good Buddy Status or higher at once? These will also affect whether your Pokémon are transferred.
Let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further clarify these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I link the correct Nintendo Account to both versions of Pokémon HOME?
- On your Nintendo Switch: Open Pokémon HOME. Go to Settings. Verify the linked Nintendo Account is the one you use for your mobile device.
- On your Mobile Device: Open Pokémon HOME. Go to Settings. Check the linked Nintendo Account. If it’s incorrect, unlink it and relink the correct one. Be certain you know the login credentials before unlinking!
Important: Be absolutely sure you are using the same Nintendo Account on both devices. It’s a common mistake to have multiple accounts.
What happens if my Pokémon HOME Premium Plan expires?
You retain access to the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon. Any Pokémon beyond the first 30 become inaccessible until you renew your Premium Plan. They are not deleted; they are simply hidden. Think of it like a storage unit – you can’t access what’s inside until you pay the rent.
How long will my Pokémon stay in Pokémon HOME?
Unlike Pokémon Bank, which used to delete Pokémon after an unspecified period of inactivity if you didn’t renew your subscription, Pokémon HOME does not delete Pokémon. They remain on the cloud. If you cancel your Premium Plan, you can still access the first 30 Pokémon, and the rest are simply inaccessible until you resubscribe.
Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME for free?
Yes, but with caveats. As of March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank became free to use if you downloaded it before that date. A Pokémon HOME Premium Plan is required to move Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME. So, while accessing Bank is free, transferring out of it requires the HOME subscription.
What if I accidentally transfer a hacked Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?
Transferring a hacked Pokémon can have consequences. While it might not immediately result in a ban, Pokémon HOME has hack checks in place. On Bank, the Pokémon would be deleted when you closed the application. On HOME, the Pokémon could be flagged as a “Bad Egg,” permanently taking up a box space. It’s best to avoid transferring any Pokémon you suspect might be illegitimate.
How many Pokémon can Pokémon HOME hold?
With the Premium Plan, Pokémon HOME can hold up to 6,000 Pokémon across 200 boxes. The free Basic Plan is limited to just 30 Pokémon.
Why won’t my Pokémon move from Bank to HOME?
Several reasons can cause this:
- Incorrect Nintendo Network ID: Ensure the Nintendo Network ID (NNID) used for Pokémon Bank is linked to the Nintendo Account you use with Pokémon HOME.
- Interrupted Transfer: The transfer process might have been interrupted. Try initiating the transfer again.
- System Errors: Rare system errors can occur. Restarting both your 3DS and Nintendo Switch may help.
- Pokémon Limit: If you’re using the free Basic Plan, you might already have 30 Pokémon in HOME, preventing further transfers.
Can I lose Pokémon in Pokémon Bank if my subscription expires?
Yes, you used to lose Pokémon in Pokémon Bank if your trial or annual pass expired and you did not purchase a new annual pass. However, as of March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank became free to use, eliminating this risk. You would have had to download it before the date for this to be true.
Is Pokémon HOME still under maintenance?
The article says, “We are not performing maintenance on our servers at this time.” However, server maintenance is a regular occurrence for online services. Check the official Pokémon HOME website or Nintendo’s support page for announcements regarding scheduled or unscheduled maintenance.
Will Pokémon in Pokémon HOME evolve due to trading?
No. The article mentions that trading via Pokémon HOME will not cause Pokémon like Haunter to evolve into Gengar. The trade evolution mechanic does not work within Pokémon HOME.
Can I transfer shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO to HOME?
Yes, you can transfer Shiny Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, but there are restrictions. You can’t transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time. Ensure you enable the option to transfer Legendary/Mythical Pokémon in your app settings.
I accidentally deleted my save data in Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. How can I recover it?
From the main menu of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, press and hold D-Pad Up + the X button + the B button. This will access your backed-up save data, allowing you to restore it. Remember, this only works if you had backup saves enabled.
Is it too late to use Pokémon Bank?
No, it is not too late to use Pokémon Bank. On March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank’s paid passes were no longer offered for purchase, and it is now free to use if you downloaded it before that date. You can still transfer your Pokémon from Bank to HOME, but remember that a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan is required to move Pokémon out of Bank.
Can I have two 3DS systems with the same account linked?
No, it is not possible to link the same Nintendo Network Account to multiple Nintendo 3DS family systems or multiple Wii U systems at the same time.
Can I trade Pokémon with myself in Pokémon HOME?
Yes, it is possible to trade with yourself without two systems by using the GTS (Global Trade System) functionality within Pokémon HOME. Place a common Pokémon, like Zigzagoon, up for trade and request the Pokémon you want in return (from your other account). It requires patience, but it’s a viable method. Understanding how games foster collaboration and trade within a community is central to the mission of organizations like the Games Learning Society, whose work you can read about at GamesLearningSociety.org.
By carefully checking these potential issues and following the troubleshooting steps, you should be able to locate your missing Pokémon and enjoy your collection in Pokémon HOME once again. Good luck, and happy collecting!