Pokémon HOME: How to trade Pokémon with other players on Android devices

After you've transferred your Pokemon over to Pokémon HOME from your 3DS or Nintendo Switch, the real fun can begin. Grand Oak wants you to complete the Pokémon HOME Pokédex, and one of the best ways to do that is to trade with other players. If nothing else, you might get lucky and receive a rare or shiny Pokémon via trade. There are a few different ways to trade with other players. We'll go through each of the methods and tell you how to do them.

All trading aspects within Pokémon HOME can only be completed within the mobile version. If you don't already have it, download either the Android or the iOS versions for your phone.

How to trade Pokémon with other players in Pokémon HOME

• How to use Wonder Trade
• How to use the Global Trade Station (GTS)
• How to use Trading Rooms
• How to Friend Trade

How to use Wonder Trade

This feature allows you to trade any of your Pokémon for a random Pokémon that another player wants to trade. You never know what you're going to get. Basic users can only deposit three at a time, but premium users can deposit up to 10 Pokémon in Wonder Trade.

• Placing Pokémon in Wonder Trade
• Getting a Pokémon from a Wonder Trade

Placing Pokémon in Wonder Trade

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Wonder Box.Source: Android Central

1. Tap one of the plus icons on the screen.
2. Select which Pokémon you want to trade. I have a gazillion Vulpix from when I was shiny hunting so I'm going to put all of them in Wonder Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Select Deposit.
2. The Pokémon you chose to deposit will inhabit the box you tapped. Continue to fill the boxes until you've placed as many Pokémon in Wonder Trade as you'd like.Source: Android Central

1. Sit back and wait for someone to trade with you. You'll know the trade has occurred when an exclamation mark appears next to the Wonder Box button on the Trade screen.
2. If you accidentally choose the wrong Pokémon, you can withdraw it if you move quickly. First tap on the Pokémon you want to take out of Wonder Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Select Take back.
2. Select OK.Source: Android Central

Getting Pokémon from Wonder Trade

After a sufficient amount of time has passed, the Pokémon you've deposited will be traded for another user's Pokémon. Here's how to retrieve your new trade.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Wonder Box.Source: Android Central

1. Select a Poké Ball.
2. The trade animation will play through. When it's done a screen will pop up showing what you've traded. Tap on the X.Source: Android Central

1. If you made additional Wonder Trades, tap on the remaining Poké Balls one at a time until they are all gone.Source: Android Central

How to use the Global Trade Station (GTS)

The GTS allows you to specify which Pokémon you want to trade and which Pokémon you are willing to receive for it. Any other Pokémon HOME player from around the world can trade with you. You, in turn, can also search for what other players have placed in the GTS and determine if you're willing to trade with them.

• Depositing a specific Pokémon in GTS
• Searching for a specific Pokémon in GTS

Depositing a specific Pokémon

If you want to know how to see what other players are willing to trade, click here.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select GTS.Source: Android Central

1. Select Deposit Pokémon.
2. Choose the Pokémon you're willing to deposit.Source: Android Central

1. Select Deposit.
2. Select Pokémon wanted to type in the name of the Pokémon you're looking for.Source: Android Central

1. When the Pokémon you're typing shows up in the drop down menu, tap the name.
2. Select Gender if you want to specify that you want a male, female, or any gender.Source: Android Central

1. Select Level if you want to specify which level range you're looking for.
2. Select Games to signify which Pokémon game you're specifically wanting.Source: Android Central

1. When you're satisfied with your specifications, press Continue with these Conditions.
2. Now you need to wait for another player to agree to trade with you. Once someone agrees to the trade on their end, you'll receive the Pokémon you've asked for. If you want to know how to receive this Pokémon click here.Source: Android Central

Searching for a specific Pokémon

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select GTS.Source: Android Central

1. Select Search for Pokémon.
2. Select Pokémon wanted to type in the name of the Pokemon you're looking for.Source: Android Central

1. Select Gender if you want to specify that you want a male, female, or any gender.
2. Select Level if you want to specify which level range you're looking for.Source: Android Central

1. Select Games to signify which Pokémon game you're specifically wanting.
2. If you want to include people who are looking for mythical Pokémon, make sure tap the circle at the bottom. Unless you're specifically looking for legendaries, you should leave the circle unchecked. It will make it easier to find what you're looking for.Source: Android Central

1. When you're satisfied with your specifications, press Search with these Conditions.
2. A list of of Pokémon you're looking for will appear. You'll notice in the white box that the other player has stipulated which Pokémon they want to trade for it. In this case, the top player wants to trade Haunter for a Pidgeot. If you see a trade you're willing to make, tap on the Pokémon.Source: Android Central

1. Select OK.
2. Select which of your Pokémon you're willing to trade.Source: Android Central

1. If you need to, you can now check the Pokémon's information by tapping Summary.
2. Otherwise, select Offer as a Trade. An animation of your Pokémon transferring will occur. Once it finishes, you'll have your new Pokémon.Source: Android Central

Receiving Pokémon from GTS

If you've placed a Pokémon in GTS and have been waiting for someone to trade with you, you'll know that someone agreed to the trade because an exclamation mark will appear next to the GTS button. Here's how to add that newly traded Pokémon to your Pokémon HOME boxes.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select GTS.Source: Android Central

1. Tap on the Pokémon that you traded. A trading sequence animation will play through and then you'll have the new Pokémon in your boxes.Source: Android Central

How to use Trading Rooms

There are four different ways to use Trading Rooms. We'll cover each one.

• Create a trade room
• Join via a trade room ID
• Join via a code pattern
• Join a random trade room

Create a trade room

Note that only premium users can create trading rooms. You must have at least three players in a room in order to use this feature.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Room Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Select Create a trade room.
2. You can choose whether you want players to be able to see the Pokémon that are traded or if you simply want them to show up as Poké Balls. Once you've selected the choice you want, select OK.Source: Android Central

1. Wait for the trade room to load. Be aware that if no one else joins the room within about 3 minutes, you'll be kicked out of the room.
2. If you want to give someone the trade room code, tap on the QR code symbol in the upper right hand corner. You can either have a nearby friend scan the code with their phone or take a screenshot and send the QR code to others.Source: Android Central

1. Once others join the room and the timer has counted down, you can select a Pokémon you're willing to trade.
2. Select Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Now you need to wait for the timer to count down. The Pokémon that other users are willing to trade will populate in their respective icons.
2. Tap on a Pokémon you'd like to trade for.Source: Android Central

1. Once the timer counts down, the trade will begin. If you haven't made your selection by the time the timer runs out or if no one chooses to trade with you, you will be left out of the trade.Source: Android Central

Join via a trade room ID

This implies that a friend has already initiated creating a Trade Room for you to join.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Room Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Tap Join via a trade room ID.
2. Enter the trade room ID.Source: Android Central

1. Select Confirm.
2. Once you've joined the room, select a Pokémon you're willing to trade and see if anyone else in the room will trade with you.Source: Android Central

Join via a code pattern

This implies that a friend has already initiated creating a Trade Room and has given you a QR code to scan.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Room Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Tap Join via a code pattern.
2. Your camera will turn on. Move your phone in such a way that the QR code shows up within the brackets.Source: Android Central

1. Once you've joined the room, select a Pokémon you're willing to trade and see if anyone else in the room will trade with you.Source: Android Central

Join a random trade room

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Room Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Tap Join a random trade room.
2. Other players will show up in the room. Wait for the timer to finish counting down. Note that if no one shows up within the three minute countdown, you'll be kicked out of the room.Source: Android Central

1. If other players are in the room and the timer has finished counting down, a list of your Pokémon will pop up. Select the Pokémon you are willing to trade. You only have about three minutes to select a Pokémon and trade with someone else.
2. Select Trade.Source: Android Central

1. If you need help choosing the Pokémon you want to trade. Select the clock icon in the bottom left corner in order to narrow down your search.Source: Android Central

1. After selecting one of your Pokémon, you'll be taken back to the list of trainers. Wait for the timer to count down.
2. Once the timer reaches zero, an animation will play, and you'll randomly receive a Pokémon from one of the other people in the room. Note that if you didn't select a Pokémon in time, you'll be left out of the trade.Source: Android Central

Friend Trade

You will already need to have friends in Pokémon HOME to use this feature. If you need help adding friends, check out this guide.

Both you and your friend need to complete these steps at the same time.

1. Open Pokémon HOME.
2. Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Source: Android Central

1. When the main menu loads, tap on Trade in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select Friend Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Select the friend you want to trade with.
2. When the connection is made, your Pokémon HOME Boxes will appear. Select a Pokémon you're willing to trade.Source: Android Central

1. If you need help finding the Pokémon you want to trade, select the clock icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap Trade.Source: Android Central

1. Select Ready!. The trading sequence will begin. Once it's done, you will have a new Pokémon in your Pokémon HOME boxes.
2. Repeat the process if you wish to trade more Pokémon.Source: Android Central

Trading is a key part of the Pokémon experience. Now that you know all the different ways to trade, you can get searching for shinies and rare creatures. If nothing else, you might be able to complete your Pokémon HOME Pokédex by trading with others. Good luck with your trading. Hopefully, you'll be able to get everything you're wanting.

Additional Equipment

I personally use these Switch accessories. What makes them so great is that they work on both the original Switch and the Switch Lite. They are a great way to round out your gaming experience.

SanDisk 128GB micoSD Card ($26 at Amazon)

Give your Switch or Switch Lite additional storage space with this nifty, Mario-themed, 128GB microSD card. That's plenty of space for your downloads, screenshots, and game data.

Hori Compact Playstand ($13 at Amazon)

This stand is perfect for when you're playing in tabletop mode or when you want to watch Hulu or YouTube on your Switch. It offers three different positions and is sturdier than the Switch's kickstand.

PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller - Pikachu vs. Mewtwo ($45 at Amazon)

This Pokémon-themed controller is not only wireless but features an awesome spraypaint-splatter design complete with a battling Pikachu and Mewtwo.