How to Remote Trade in Pokemon GO?

Trading has always been one of the core parts of the Pokemon GO experience, but it always was restricted by distance. But now with the latest Remote Trading, a feature arriving alongside the new Forever Friends system, players can now exchange Pokemon without meeting in person.

With updates releasing gradually, more regions will gain access to these features in the coming weeks.

In this article we will break it down on how everything works and how you can make the most of Remote Trading once it becomes available.

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What are Forever Friends in Pokemon GO?

Pokemon GO is introducing a new friendship tier that sits above Best Friends, Forever Friends. This new friendship level provides the two players additional experience rewards and two significant perks, including the ability to do Remote Trades.

Remote Trade allows you to exchange selected Pokemon from any location, removing geographical limits entirely.

You can continue progressing your friendship with each Forever Friend to gain more points. As those points increase, you earn more rewards with XP and extra Remote Trades among them.

Keep in mind that you can only hold one Remote Trade per Forever Friend at any given time. If you reach earn another Remote Trade before using the one you have, you will need to complete the pending trade so the new one can be added.

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Understanding Pokemon GO Friendship Points

Friendship points will now serve as a measurable way to track and advance your progress with other players. You can earn one point per day with each friend through the following interactions:

• Sending or opening Gifts
• Trading Pokemon
• Battling together
• Participating in other cooperative activities

Weekly Challenges also offer bonus friendship points when completed with others, allowing you to progress more efficiently.

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How Remote Trading in Pokemon GO works

Trading in Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Once you and another Trainer become Forever Friends, Remote Trading is unlocked, but this includes some preparation steps.

1. Tag Pokemon for Remote Trading: You will be prompted to use a Remote Trade tag to identify the Pokemon you want to trade. Your Forever Friends will only be able to see Pokemon you have tagged, and vice-versa.
2. Create your wish list: When initiating a Remote Trade, each player can select up to three Pokemon from the other’s tagged list that they would be happy to receive. These selections form your “wish list,” which your friend can see.
3. Finalize the offer: After receiving each other’s wish lists, each player chooses one Pokemon from the requests to offer in return, then proceed to confirm or cancel. At any point, either party can decline and restart the trade if wanted.

Additional notes

• If you and your friend are Lucky Friends, your next trade (remote or standard) will be a Lucky Pokemon.
• Remote Trades do not count as Special Trades.

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Pokemon that cannot be traded remotely in Pokemon GO

Several categories of Pokemon are restricted from Remote Trading:

• Pokemon caught within the past 30 days
• Pokemon that were previously traded
• Shadow Pokemon
• Mythical Pokemon
• Pokemon defending Gyms or Power Spots
• Your active Buddy Pokemon
• Pokemon that are Mega-Evolved
• Fused Pokemon
• Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta
• Pokemon stationed at Pokemon Playgrounds

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Check out our other GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts