Pokémon Transfer Guide

Introduction

In this guide, I will be showing you how to transfer your favorite monsters from each of the core series games from Generation I all the way to Generation VIII. It is a long process, but once you have them, it will most definitely be worth the trouble. I will also be adding info about spin-off games as well as the various Pokémon you can obtain from them!


Generation I and Generation II

Generation I

Virtual Console Games

  • Red
  • Blue
  • Yellow

Generation II

  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Crystal

To transfer Pokémon from the Virtual Console (VC) games, you need to use the Poké Transporter and have Pokémon within your VC game. It will show the VC games you have on your 3DS system within the Transporter app. I will use Crystal as the example. Upon opening the app, it will say "Use this game." Wait while it connects. Once the app connects to your VC game, it will give you the warnings that Pokémon cannot be sent back and Pokémon that are holding items can't be moved. It will then say "Would you like to move this box?". Select yes on the bottom screen. A cool quirk with the VC games is that all of the Pokémon, if they have Hidden Abilities (HA), will have a HA when brought from the VC games. For example, Lugia, whose normal ability is Pressure, will have Multiscale!

After you have moved your Pokémon from the VC game into Pokémon Bank (the Transporter app will automatically place your Pokémon into Bank), select Pokémon Bank and have a Generation VII game, such as Sun or Moon, inserted into the slot. Select "Use Pokémon Bank" and then select "Use this game" to continue. Then select "Do not take any Battle Points or Poké Miles." Finally, press the L button to move to the Transporter Box, select your Pokémon, and then save to keep the changes you made!

Within the VC games, you can trade Pokémon via the Time Capsule. It can be found on the second floor of any Pokémon Center. The process is done through the VC menu on the lower screen, in which players can establish connections though a hosting system. In order to have it fully functional, the player must first have met Bill in Ecruteak City and waited 24 hours in the game's internal clock.

The restrictions to trading between Generation I and II are the following:

  1. You can't have any Generation II-exclusive Pokémon or eggs in your party.
  2. The Pokémon must not be holding any Mail.
  3. None of the Generation I Pokémon that are within your party can know any Generation II-exclusive moves. However, you can trade a Pokémon introduced in Generation I with a moveset that is only obtainable from Generation II so as long as the Pokémon and moves were introduced in Generation I.

Due to the lack of natures in Generations I and II, you can actually control the nature you get upon import into a later game by manipulating the amount of experience you have upon import, as shown here.

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Generation III

  • Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire
  • FireRed and LeafGreen

Spin-off games

  • XD: Gale of Darkness
  • Colosseum + Bonus Disc (ENG and JPN)
  • Pokémon Channel

These are the games that encompass Generation III, and you can trade Pokémon from the spin-off games to one of the core series, such as Emerald; you can go in reverse too. In order to get a Pokémon from either XD or Colosseum, you would need an item called the GameCube - Game Boy Advance Link Cable. To trade between RSE and FRLG, you also need the GBA Link Cable. The GBA Wireless Adapter can also be used to trade between FRLG and Emerald but cannot be used with Ruby and Sapphire. In order to trade from the GameCube games to a Generation III game, you must be in the post-game of both Colosseum and XD (Phenac City). The core games Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald require you to have entered the Hall of Fame in order to trade with XD. FireRed and LeafGreen require you to complete the Sevii Island side quest before being able to trade Pokémon from the Orre region.

Bonus Disc (ENG)

Exclusive to the English Colosseum Bonus Disc is the ability to obtain the Pokémon Jirachi. This Jirachi can be obtained an infinite number of times so long as the save file that is receiving it has not already used the disc. You will need the Nintendo GameCube - Game Boy Advance Link Cable, an English Ruby or Sapphire, and an empty spot in your party. You do not need to have a physical copy of Pokémon Colosseum to obtain Jirachi.

Bonus Disc (JPN)

Unfortunately, unlike the English Bonus Disc, the Japanese version needs a copy of Pokémon Colosseum in order to obtain the Pokémon Celebi. Another forced requirement is that this save file MUST have all 48 Shadow Pokémon purified. Furthermore, the disc can transfer up to 48 Celebi to any Japanese Game Boy Advance Pokémon game as long as the player has beaten the Elite Four and saved in a Pokémon Center. A Pikachu is also available from the disc.

Pokémon Channel

In this game, you can obtain Jirachi. Despite it being called the "Wish Maker," it won't make any of your real wishes come true, but what it can make true is filling your Pokédex with its entry. Players can send Jirachi to either Ruby or Sapphire. After unlocking the full version of the Pichu Bros in Party Panic, Jirachi will appear and the mini-movie will be shown above a campfire. Due to a bug, this Jirachi can be shiny.

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Generation IV

  • Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
  • HeartGold and SoulSilver

Spin-off games

  • Pokémon Ranger
  • Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
  • Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
  • Pokémon Ranch
  • Battle Revolution
  • Pokéwalker

The above games are part of the Generation IV core series and spin-off games. In order to migrate Pokémon to Generation IV, you need Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver. You also need a DS that has a GBA slot in it and to have seen all of the Pokémon in the Generation IV Pokédex in order to unlock the Pal Park. Then, you insert the GBA into the DS and go to the title menu of the Gen IV game. It should have an option to transfer Pokémon from Generation III to Generation IV. As a word of caution, please know that once you transfer these Pokémon to a new Generation, they can no longer be traded back, so please think carefully before migrating.

In order to migrate from Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald to HeartGold or SoulSilver, the player must have visited Fuchsia City (Kanto) at least once and have the National Pokédex. Furthermore, the Generation III games and Generation IV games must be the same language. The migrate option will appear on the menu screen whenever the player has a GBA game inserted in the Nintendo DS's GBA slot, regardless of whether you have visited the Pal Park or not.

Please note that your Pokémon MUST not know Hidden Machine (HM) moves to be eligible for import. There is a 6 Pokémon requirement and a 24 hour waiting period when migrating Pokémon to Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum. However, in HeartGold and SoulSilver, that restriction was lifted and you can migrate as much as you want in a single day. But let's say you don't have HeartGold or SoulSilver, is there a way to bypass this restriction? In fact, there is a way you can do so, and I will describe how below.

Pal Park Glitch

To pull this glitch off you need the following:

  • 2 GBA Carts
  • A Nintendo DS
  • Time
  • The National Pokédex

To begin this glitch, we will be migrating Pokémon from LeafGreen, and Ruby is the extra cart we will be using to start the glitch. Thanks to Sephirona for the shorthand version of it:

  1. Change date on the DS
  2. Put Ruby in to get the "You are using a different DS" error and accept the adjustments
  3. Put LeafGreen in and use Pal Park

Note you do no have to use these specific games. Any combination of GBA games will work!

Pokémon Ranger

With Pokémon Ranger you can get the Mythical Pokémon Manaphy. It can be obtained through the Ranger Net by holding the following buttons: R, X, and Left. You would also need to have completed the game in order to gain access to the Ranger Net. After that you will need to enter a specific code depending on the region.

These codes in fact still work, but please be warned it can work if and ONLY if the Manaphy code has not been used on the cartridge, as it is a one time deal!

Below are the codes:

Region Code
US P8M2-9D6F-43H7
UK Mg35-Cpb8-4FW8
France DY4g-k28S-QB9F
Spain C58f-t3WT-Vn79
Germany R3d4cv2S-WC7W
Italy FH38-fwD8-5S2a

After doing the Manaphy mission, you can transfer the Egg that you rescued to any Generation IV game. To do so, have the Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs game in one DS and Diamond/Pearl in the other and go to the "Check Egg" screen on the Ranger game. It should show the "send" option; click that and open up the other DS. It should, upon launch, notify you that you're picking up a signal from Pokémon Ranger. Select "Mystery Gift" then "Transmit" to receive the gift, and then "Get from a friend". On Guardian Signs, select "Transfer" and then "Yes!". From there, follow the on-screen instructions and then press the "Transfer" option, which will then finally transfer the Manaphy Egg to your desired game. Finally, go to any Poké Mart to claim it!

In the table below are the other Pokémon Ranger games along with their special Pokémon that you can transfer:

Mission Name
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Recover the Manaphy Egg! Deoxys and the Odd Temple!
Rescue the Kidnapped Riolu! Protect the Blue Sphere! - Manaphy
Liberate the Tower! - Darkrai Investigate the Odd Eruption! - Heatran
Rescue the Lost Shaymin!

A little side note for the Deoxys Mission: the Deoxys that is encountered can be transferred an infinite number of times, but each of the core games can only receive each of the Deoxys formes once!

In Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, the Ranger Net does not need to be unlocked, as it is by default, but the missions need to be downloaded and are no longer available.

To transfer from Guardian Signs, select "Ranger Net" and then "Send a Pokémon." It will then bring up a list of the Pokémon you can transfer to any of the Generation IV games! Select the desired Pokémon and have either DPP/HGSS inserted into another DS system, and it will send out a request for a trainer to care for the rescued Pokémon. Select "Mystery Gift" then select "Transmit" to receive the gift, and finally "Get from a friend." On Guardian Signs, select "Transfer" and then "Yes!". Go to any Poké Mart to claim your gift!

Pokémon Ranch

In Pokémon Ranch, you can get Phione and Mew. Once you get 250 Pokémon on the Ranch, it will expand a level. Hayley will then ask for Leafeon, and once you can bring one over, she will offer Phione. After you get 999 Pokémon in the Ranch, it will expand and jump to level 255, the maximum level. Once this level is obtained, a new Pokémon will be added. Hayley is now asking for any Pokémon Egg, and once you bring it to the Ranch, she will give you Mew.

Battle Revolution

In Pokémon Battle Revolution, there are a few special Pokémon that you can receive from the game that can be moved to any Generation IV game. Upon the defeat of Pokétopia Master Mysterial for the first time, a Pikachu will become available for download in the shop (Battle Revolution in-game shop). This Pikachu will know the following moves: Volt Tackle, Surf, Tail Whip, and Thunder Wave. It will also be holding a Light Ball and is a Hardy nature. In order to transfer Pikachu to Generation IV, you simply go to the DPP or HGSS title menu screen and select the Mystery Gift option.

Electivire

Electivire, along with the Gold Pass, can be unlocked with the following codes at the "Self-introduction" option in the profile menu. They are case sensitive and only work when exiting the profile menu:

Region Code
US BA16-X4SH-E2AT
UK tko3-9jwp-34kl
France jk4i-df87-dsf9
Spain 04in-1ynj-24fv
Germany 0f9-ud0g-ughj
Italy t4oi-6j8d-sb5r

This Electivire will have an Adamant nature and possess the following moves: Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Cross Chop, and Earthquake. It will be holding the Magnet item.

Magmortar

Magmortar has the same requirements as Electivire but comes with the Silver Pass instead of the Gold Pass. Please use the following code depending on your region:

Region Code
US B416-X4HT-VTWF
UK jl49-05kn-odnv
France 13io-h4rf-1tpa
Spain kn34-q0uc-1mbx
Germany kre9-ef90-5hgn
Italy 97ea-78hl-jrgu

Magmortar will have a Modest nature and will be holding the Charcoal item. It will know the following moves: Flamethrower, Psychic, Hyper Beam, and Solar Beam.

Pokéwalker

With the Pokéwalker you can obtain some rare Pokémon, such as Spiritomb. To transfer Pokémon from the Pokéwalker to your HeartGold or SoulSilver game, place the Pokéwalker about 2 inches from your game card, facing each other. Select "Connect to Pokéwalker" from the main menu of HeartGold or SoulSilver, then click "Receive a Gift" to move the Pokémon you captured during your stroll into your boxes.

Restrictions

There is one unique thing with Generation IV when some Pokémon know HM moves upon transfer to Generation V. For example, Zapdos can learn the HM Defog in Sinnoh but can have it as a normal move in a later Generation. Now normally, you cannot migrate Pokémon that know HMs, but if you trade it to HeartGold or SoulSilver, you can bypass this and move it up anyway! Another instance of this is Drifloon with Defog. It can learn it as an Egg Move starting from Generation V to Generation VII. There are more Pokémon like this, so remember that if it is an HM in the game you caught the Pokémon in, try to trade it to another game, such as a Pokémon with Whirlpool to Diamond or Pearl from HeartGold or SoulSilver.

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Generation V

  • Black & White and Black 2 & White 2

In order to transfer Pokémon from Generation IV to V, you need to be in the post-game of Black or White (or Black 2 and White 2) and head to Route 15 to enter the Pokémon Transfer Lab. On another DS you will need to have the DS Download Play on and, if using a 3DS, pick the DS option for download play. Please know that your games MUST be of the same language. For example, Japanese Diamond can only transfer to a Japanese White or Black and not to an English version. This is a one-way transfer, so think carefully before transferring Pokémon. In the Pokémon Transfer Lab, you play a little minigame in which you slingshot a "catch ball" toward your Pokémon that you want to transfer to Generation V, but if you only want a few Pokémon, you can simply catch the ones you want to transfer and let the timer run out. The Pokémon that were not caught will return to their original game. Your Pokémon cannot have any HM moves, so delete them prior to transporting them to the Unova Region!

To trade to Black 2 or White 2 within Generation V you simply need to go to a Pokémon Center and enter a Union room to trade with yourself or another friend!

In order to transfer Pokémon from Generation V to a later generation, you need the Nintendo eShop apps called the Poké Transporter and Pokémon Bank. You must have the Pokémon in the first PC box so you can select it to transfer it up to Generation VI. The fifth generation games have the same method to transfer. To transfer, select the game from which you want to move Pokémon within the Transporter app. I will use my Japanese White for example. Select it and wait while your 3DS/2DS connects to the internet. It will give you a warning prior to being able to continue.

Note: the Transporter Box within Pokémon Bank must be empty before you can transfer more Pokémon.

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Generation VI

  • X & Y
  • Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Imports from: Generation V via Poké Transporter

Imports to: Generation VII via Bank; Generation VIII via Bank plus HOME

To move Pokémon to ORAS, select Pokémon Bank. Please know that you need to purchase a subscription to use its services! To begin the transfer, select "Use Pokémon Bank" and it will say "Use this game." Select it and continue. Then, select the last option; this moves us to the transfer section. Move the cursor to the top screen and then press the L bumper pad, as this will transition to the Poké Transporter Box. Press Select twice, as this allows us to move them all at once! After moving Pokémon from the Transporter Box to a normal box, press "X" to save the changes! The same process applies to Pokémon X and Pokémon Y.

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Generation VII

  • Sun & Moon
  • Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

Imports from: Generation V via Poké Transporter; Generation VI via Bank; VC via Poké Transporter plus Bank

Imports to: Generation VIII via Bank plus HOME

The above games use Pokémon Bank in order to get Pokémon from Generation VI to Generation VII. To move them to Generation VII, select "Use Pokémon Bank." Then, select the game that you have inserted into the DS. Choose the third option "Do not take any Battle Points or Poké Miles." It will then bring you to your Transporter Box and your in-game PC boxes. To move your Pokémon from the Transport Box, simply press Select (changes cursor to green) to be able to highlight multiple Pokémon and move them all at once! Once you have moved them, press "X" to save the changes!

  • Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!

These games use Pokémon HOME to transfer Pokémon to Generation VIII. Pokémon transferred from Let's Go can be transferred to HOME and back to its original game but can't return to its original game if transferred to Sword or Shield.

To move them, select the Pokémon HOME app on the Switch and select your profile. From here, select Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee! or Let's Go, Pikachu! Simply move your Pokémon from the right (the Let's Go games) to the left (the HOME Boxes). The HOME service requires a subscription.

Spin-off

  • Pokémon GO!

Surprisingly, you can in fact transfer Pokémon from GO to LGPE! To do so, you need access to Fuchsia City and to have talked to the person at the Safari Zone to unlock the ability to connect to Pokémon GO! To begin the process, go to Pokémon GO and select the Nintendo Switch icon in the top corner. It will then turn red/pink-ish. Now, select up to 50 Pokémon you want to transfer to LGPE! Hit the "Send to Nintendo Switch (50)" button. It will then give you the warning that the Pokémon you selected cannot be returned to GO and you must submit again in order for the process to begin. In the GO Park complex, talk to the NPC on the left-hand side and select the option "Bring Pokémon." You will then choose one of the parks to put them in. Be sure to have enough space in order to bring all of your Pokémon selected on GO. Accept and start the communication process with your phone. If done correctly, your Nintendo Switch will notify you it found an account on your smartphone. It will then ask if you want to receive a Pokémon; select "Yes." The two devices will communicate and you will see your Pokémon being sent.

Note: you can only send Kanto Pokémon (#001-151) and Meltan/Melmetal from Pokémon GO to LGPE!

After completing the transfer, you will receive the following messages on your devices:

Switch

You've brought over X Pokémon from this player's Pokémon GO account!

Mobile Device

Pokémon sent! You will receive candy corresponding to the Pokémon you sent plus 100 XP.

After the transfer is finished, you will receive a Mystery Box on Pokémon GO (if you unlocked that feature), which spawns Meltan! To capture the Pokémon you sent to LGPE, simply select the "Enter GO Park" option at the front desk of the Safari Zone and select the park you put your Pokémon in, as here is where you catch them. The Pokémon transferred from GO will have the Trainer name and ID number from your Let's Go account.

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Generation VIII

  • Sword and Shield

Imports from: Pokémon Bank to HOME

Imports to: HOME to SS

Open the Pokémon HOME app on the Switch and select your profile. From here, select Pokémon Sword or Shield. As before, simply move your Pokémon from the boxes on the left (HOME) to those on the right (Sword and Shield).

Prior to the release of the Isle of Armor DLC for Sword and Shield, Pokémon were ineligible from participating in Ranked Battles through the Victory Station (VS) when brought from HOME. However, you can find an NPC in the Wyndon Battle Tower that gives your Pokémon a Battle Ready Mark, which allows them to participate! Please know that if you make them eligible for rank, your Pokémon will lose any exclusive moves upon receiving the Mark, so please think twice before doing so. After receiving the Battle Ready Mark, the Pokémon will then have the generic Generation VIII move set for its level.

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Conclusion

This is everything a dedicated trainer needs to know in order to bring your favorite Pokémon from Generation I (VC) all the way to Generation VIII. With that I wish you all the best of luck! Gotta catch 'em all!