Mastering Remote Trades in Pokémon Go: Your Guide to Becoming Forever Friends

Nearly ten years after its debut, Pokémon Go continues to evolve with fresh features and enhancements. Following the significant leveling overhaul last October, the game has now rolled out a much-anticipated addition: Remote Trades. Similar to how Remote Raids let you join battles from anywhere, Remote Trades enable you to swap Pokémon with friends no matter where you are in the world. However, there are some important conditions to keep in mind, particularly the requirement to reach a new friendship tier known as Forever Friends. Here’s what you need to know about Remote Trades, including how they function, which Pokémon can’t be traded, and how to achieve Forever Friends status with another player.

**What Is Remote Trading?**
As the name suggests, Remote Trades allow you to exchange Pokémon with a friend globally. This is a game-changer, as previously, trades could only happen in person. This new feature not only simplifies the trading process but also helps you acquire region-specific Pokémon like Farfetch’d and Mr. Mime. However, there are some limitations. Unlike in-person trades, you must first sift through your collection and tag the Pokémon you’re willing to trade remotely. Additionally, Remote Trades are exclusive to Forever Friends, a friendship level that surpasses Best Friends. This means you’ll need to build your friendship with another player before you can start trading remotely.

**How To Become Forever Friends**
With the introduction of Remote Trades, Pokémon Go has added a new friendship tier called Forever Friends. To achieve this status, you need to accumulate friendship points through various activities and interactions with another player. You can earn up to one friendship point per day by engaging in activities like sending and opening gifts, trading Pokémon, and battling in raids together. Completing new weekly challenges with other players can also help you rack up additional friendship points.

**How To Trade Remotely**
Once you’ve gathered enough friendship points and become Forever Friends with another player, you can start trading Pokémon remotely. The process differs slightly from standard trades. First, you’ll need to browse your Pokémon list and use a special Remote Trade tag to mark the ones you’re willing to trade. When you’re ready to trade, both players will review each other’s tagged Pokémon and select up to three they’d like to receive. Each player will then choose one of the three requested Pokémon to send over. It’s worth noting that you can only initiate one Remote Trade with a friend at a time. After completing that trade, you’ll need to earn more friendship points before you can initiate another.

**Ineligible Pokémon**
Not every Pokémon is eligible for remote trading. You cannot trade any Pokémon you’ve caught recently, nor can you exchange special types like Shadow or Mythical Pokémon, which does impose some restrictions. However, Remote Trades are not classified as Special Trades, so they won’t count against your daily Special Trade limit. Here’s the complete list of Pokémon that can’t be traded remotely:
– Pokémon caught in the past 30 days
– Previously traded Pokémon
– Shadow Pokémon
– Mythical Pokémon
– Pokémon defending Gyms or Power Spots
– Pokémon set as your buddy
– Pokémon that are actively Mega-Evolved
– Fused Pokémon
– Crowned Sword Zacian or Crowned Shield Zamazenta
– Pokémon placed at Pokémon Playgrounds

Remote Trades make their debut during Pokémon Go’s Precious Paths season, which features a variety of events and activities this month.