Remote Trading is Coming to Pokémon Go!

A long-awaited feature that Pokémon Go players have been asking for is finally on the way. Remote trading of Pokémon is set to debut this week as part of an update to Friendship levels, introducing a new tier called Forever Friends.

Currently, trading Pokémon in Pokémon Go requires players to be physically close to one another. With the introduction of Forever Friends, trainers from around the globe will be able to trade, allowing many players—myself included—to finally complete their Pokédex with elusive Pokémon like Hawlucha or Oricorio (Pa’u Style). While there will be some limitations on what can be traded and how frequently, the guidelines appear to align with how special trades are currently managed in the game.

To initiate remote trades, players must first achieve Forever Friend status with another trainer, which is one tier above the existing Best Friend level. Once this milestone is reached, the game will prompt players to use a special Remote Trade tag to identify the Pokémon they are willing to trade with their Forever Friend. Players will then be able to view the eligible Pokémon that their Forever Friend is also ready to trade.

Here’s how the remote trading process works:

To start a Remote Trade, each trainer takes turns selecting up to three of their friend’s tagged Pokémon that they would like to receive. These “wish lists” are exchanged between trainers. Each trainer then picks one of the requested Pokémon to offer. Both trainers can review the final trades and decide to confirm or cancel. At any point during the Remote Trade, either trainer can opt to decline the current request and restart the process.

Remote trades can be repeated with the same Forever Friend multiple times, provided both players have accumulated enough Friendship Points again. Friendship Points are earned through battling, trading, and sending Gifts to friends. Players can earn one Friendship Point per person each day, with additional points available through weekly challenges. These challenges allow players to team up with up to three friends to tackle a group task each week, with rewards including XP and extra friendship points.

Additionally, players who are Lucky Friends will be able to send and receive lucky Pokémon through remote trading. Notably, remote trades do not count as special trades, regardless of the Pokémon involved.

As for trading restrictions, certain Pokémon cannot be included in a remote trade.

In more exciting news for Pokémon Go players looking to expand their trading network, the maximum number of friends will increase from 450 to 650 over the coming weeks, in increments of 50.

So, start organizing your most sought-after tradeable Pokémon, trainers. Expect a surge of requests from friends, so choose your trades wisely!