How to Transfer Legendary Pokémon Between Games With Pokémon HOME

Use the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME to move a legendary between compatible game saves: open Pokémon HOME, choose Pokémon, select the source game and save data, place the legendary in a HOME or destination-game box, check its permitted destinations, then press + and choose Save changes and exit. The decisive test is the individual Pokémon’s Check Summary screen—not merely whether both games support HOME.

What Pokémon HOME can—and cannot—do

Pokémon HOME is a compatibility hub, not a universal converter. A legendary can move only to a game in which that Pokémon appears. Even when two titles connect to HOME, a particular legendary may be blocked because of its species, form, origin game, or transfer history.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Pokémon Scarlet - US Version	$46.21	Buy on Amazon
2		Pokémon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch - Standard Edition	$53.70	Buy on Amazon
3		Nintendo Pokémon Scarlet Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]	$59.88	Buy on Amazon
4		Pokémon Scarlet Bundle - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]	$94.98	Buy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nintendo lists Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, and Pokémon Shield as compatible with HOME, while noting that restrictions apply to certain Pokémon. A compatible title therefore establishes only that a transfer route exists in principle; it does not guarantee that every legendary can use it.

There is no official aggregate number for how many legendary Pokémon can be transferred across every HOME-compatible game. HOME’s per-Pokémon compatibility display is the authoritative practical answer. A species may be usable in one compatible game but unavailable in another, and an individual obtained through a particular service can have fewer destinations than a same-species Pokémon caught directly in a Switch game.

#1 Best Overall

Pokémon Scarlet - US Version

• Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
• Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.
• Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea.
• Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure.

$46.21

Buy on Amazon

Think of HOME as a set of permitted routes

Every move has a starting point, an individual Pokémon, and a proposed destination. The route is allowed only when all three line up. First, the species and relevant form must appear in the destination title. Second, the Pokémon’s origin and transfer history must allow that direction. Third, any special condition—such as a destination Pokédex registration for certain Pokémon GO transfers—must be satisfied. If any test fails, the destination will not be available even though HOME itself is working normally.

This is why moving a legendary is different from copying a file. A successful move changes where that individual can be used, and some routes permanently remove the possibility of returning it to the original game or service.

Check a legendary before moving it

On the Switch app, select the Pokémon, choose Check Summary, and press +. HOME shows the games to which that exact Pokémon can travel. Perform this check before saving any box changes, especially if the Pokémon came from Pokémon GO, Pokémon Bank, a Let’s Go title, FireRed, LeafGreen, or Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Why the same species can have different destinations

• The species or a specific form may not appear in the destination game.
• The Pokémon’s origin can impose a restriction even when that species is available there.
• A previous transfer can make a route one-way.
• Some Pokémon GO-origin legendaries need registration in the destination Pokédex first.

Do not infer compatibility from another copy of the same species. Check the individual legendary you intend to move. The summary is also useful when planning a chain of moves: inspect the Pokémon at its current location, identify every permitted destination, and choose the next game before committing the save.

What “grayed out” usually means

A gray or unavailable destination is a rule-based block, not necessarily a software fault. HOME is telling you that the selected legendary cannot currently enter that title. A missing species or form, an origin restriction, an irreversible route, or an unmet GO registration condition can all produce the same practical result. Reopening the app, moving the Pokémon to a different HOME box, or purchasing a higher plan will not override a destination that is absent from Check Summary.

Exact Nintendo Switch transfer procedure

The console version performs game-to-HOME box transfers. The mobile app does not provide this box-management transfer function. Keep the Switch available for the entire operation, and do not treat the phone app as a substitute for the save-data screen.

1. Start Pokémon HOME from the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu and press A.
2. Select Pokémon to open the storage and transfer interface.
3. Choose the source game and then the user save data you want to access. HOME can expose save data belonging to other users on the same console, so verify the user before editing boxes.
4. Locate the legendary in the source game’s boxes. Nintendo says a Pokémon currently in an active party cannot be transferred, so return it to a PC box if necessary.
5. Select the legendary and choose a HOME box or a box belonging to the destination game. You can arrange other Pokémon during the same session, but confirm the legendary’s route individually.
6. With the Pokémon selected, choose Check Summary and press +. Confirm that the intended destination appears in the permitted-games list.
7. Review the placement one more time. Press +, then choose Save changes and exit.

The transfer is not committed until you save and exit. If the destination game is absent from Check Summary, rearranging boxes or trying again will not override the restriction. If you selected the wrong user save, cancel without saving, reopen the Pokémon menu, and choose the correct user.

Moving between HOME and a game box

HOME lets you place a compatible Pokémon in HOME storage or directly in a compatible game’s box. The destination box you choose determines where you will find it after the save is committed. When you want to use the legendary in a game immediately, selecting that game’s box can be convenient; when you are still comparing routes, leave it in a HOME box until you have checked the destination carefully.

Party warning

Nintendo says Pokémon currently in a party cannot be transferred through HOME. Move the legendary into a PC box in its source game first, then reopen HOME and repeat the procedure. This rule can look like a compatibility failure when the real issue is simply the Pokémon’s current location in the save.

Moving a legendary from Pokémon GO

A legendary sent from Pokémon GO first goes to Pokémon HOME. The official HOME guidance says certain rare Pokémon brought from GO cannot enter another game until that Pokémon has been registered in the destination game’s Pokédex.

Rank #2

Pokémon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch - Standard Edition

• New Pokémon to Discover - Learn new details about Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly—the three Pokémon from which you’ll choose your first partner—along with other wonderful new Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon!
• The World of Pokémon Has Evolved - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer an open-world experience that only the Pokémon series can deliver—one welcoming even to newcomers to the series.​
• You can experience a new style of adventure, with a world that you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story. You will, of course, journey to hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but many more discoveries and stories await you. Meet a variety of people and Pokémon, and adventure in the world of Pokémon the way you want to.
• A Deeper Experience with Multiplayer* Gameplay - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet allow multiplayer gameplay with up to four players.​ Along with series staples, such as trading and battling Pokémon, you will be able to explore the various locations of the region in these games with other players. You can discover new Pokémon and explore unfamiliar areas with your friends and family, opening the door to an adventure more precious and fun than ever!
• Meet the characters - As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you? For the first time in the series, one of two different professors will appear in your game depending on the version you choose to play.

$53.70

Buy on Amazon

Practical sequence

1. Transfer the legendary from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME.
2. Receive it in HOME and open its Check Summary.
3. If the destination is blocked, register that species in the destination game first by catching or otherwise obtaining it there, where that game permits.
4. Return to HOME and check the individual legendary again.
5. Move it only after the destination appears in the compatible-games list, then save changes and exit.

Registration is not a universal unlock. The rule is destination- and species-specific, so a Pokédex entry may not remove every restriction. If the species still does not appear after registration, treat the remaining block as authoritative and review the origin, form, and destination shown in the summary.

A Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO to HOME cannot be returned to Pokémon GO. Treat the GO-to-HOME move as one-way and confirm that you no longer need the Pokémon in GO before sending it. If you are deciding between several Switch destinations, register the species and inspect the summary before making another move; sending it to one compatible game does not create a route back to GO.

GO planning example

Suppose a legendary from GO is intended for Pokémon Scarlet. Send it to HOME, receive it, and check the summary. If Scarlet is unavailable, obtain that species in Scarlet where the game allows it, then reopen HOME and check again. Only when Scarlet appears should you place the legendary in a Scarlet box and save. This sequence prevents an irreversible GO transfer from being stranded in HOME or sent to an unintended title.

Origin-specific restrictions and one-way routes

These are route restrictions, not errors that can be repaired by reinstalling HOME or changing a box. If a route is documented as one-way, plan around that limitation before saving. Keep a separate note of the legendary’s original game and intended long-term home, particularly when moving a scarce or personally valuable specimen.

Reversibility is a separate question from compatibility

A destination appearing in Check Summary answers “Can it go there now?” It does not automatically answer “Can it come back?” For every proposed move, ask both questions. Let’s Go titles can exchange Pokémon within their family, but entering a newer game blocks the return to the original Let’s Go title. Bank, FireRed, LeafGreen, and GO have explicit no-return rules, and the documented Z-A routes are directional. Do not use a temporary destination as a test if you may need the legendary in its source game later.

Choosing a destination game

Evaluate four questions in order: does the destination contain the legendary species and form; what is the Pokémon’s origin; is the move reversible; and does the destination-registration condition apply?

After applying these questions, use Check Summary as the final decision. It reflects the individual Pokémon’s current travel permissions. If two games are both compatible in general but only one is listed for your legendary, choose the listed title; general compatibility cannot expand the individual route.

Comparing common Switch destinations

Scarlet and Violet, Legends: Arceus, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Sword, and Shield all connect to HOME, but they do not share an identical Pokédex. Start by confirming that the legendary and its form appear in the particular title you want. Then compare the individual’s origin and reversibility. A legendary that can enter Scarlet may not be eligible for Sword, and a Pokémon accepted by one title may have a different practical future after that move.

If you are choosing a game to purchase specifically for a transfer, a compatible Nintendo Switch game such as Pokémon Scarlet is a reasonable category to consider, but buying a compatible title is not a guarantee that a particular legendary will be accepted. Check the individual summary and the title’s available species first.

Account, app, and plan requirements

• A Nintendo Account is required for the Nintendo Switch version of HOME.
• Link the same Nintendo Account to the Switch and mobile versions if you use both; this synchronizes the HOME account.
• Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required for Pokémon HOME.
• The free Basic Plan can move and trade Pokémon between compatible games. The Premium Plan adds extra features, but a Premium subscription does not bypass a game- or Pokémon-specific restriction.
• Use the Switch version for the actual transfer. The mobile app is useful for HOME account functions but does not perform the game-to-HOME box move.

For a straightforward legendary transfer, the Basic Plan is sufficient when the source and destination are compatible. Premium is optional for its additional HOME features, not a prerequisite for unlocking a grayed-out game. No Nintendo Switch Online membership fee is required for this service. Your practical requirements are a Nintendo Account, the relevant game save on the console, and access to the Switch HOME application.

Rank #3

Nintendo Pokémon Scarlet Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

• Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
• Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
• Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea
• Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure

$59.88

Buy on Amazon

Save-data identity matters

HOME may expose save data belonging to other users on the same Switch. That makes the user-selection screen an important checkpoint, especially on a shared console. Confirm the user name and source title before selecting a legendary. If the expected Pokémon is missing, do not assume it was deleted; first back out and inspect the correct save data.

Troubleshooting a grayed-out or blocked legendary

The destination game does not appear in Check Summary

Confirm that the species and form exist in that game, then review the Pokémon’s origin and transfer history. If it came from GO, check whether the destination Pokédex registration condition applies. If the title is a Let’s Go game, Bank/3DS title, FireRed, LeafGreen, or an affected Z-A route, the block may be permanent or directional.

The Pokémon is in a party

Return to the source game, move it into a PC box, and reopen HOME. Party Pokémon cannot be transferred.

You opened the wrong save data

Back out and select the correct user save data. HOME can display saves from other users on the same Switch, so check the user identity before moving anything.

You are using the phone app

Switch to Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch and follow the Pokémon box workflow. The mobile app cannot perform this game transfer.

You registered the species but it is still blocked

Registration applies only to certain GO-origin rare Pokémon and only for the relevant destination. Recheck the individual summary after registering. If the title remains absent, another species, form, origin, or one-way rule is controlling the route; registration is not a universal override.

You saved a move and regret it

First determine whether the route is reversible. GO transfers cannot return to GO; Bank transfers cannot return to Bank or 3DS games; FireRed/LeafGreen transfers cannot return; and the documented Let’s Go and Z-A routes can be one-way. HOME cannot restore a prohibited reverse route, so a successful save is not proof that a return trip will be available.

The legendary seems to have disappeared

Check the destination game’s box and the HOME box you selected, then verify that you were working in the intended user save. A Pokémon placed in a destination-game box will not remain in the source game’s PC box after the changes are saved. If you canceled without saving, repeat the operation; if you saved, search the selected destination before assuming a loss.

A safe checklist before pressing Save changes and exit

• You selected the intended source game and user save data.
• The legendary is in a PC box, not an active party.
• You checked the exact species and form, not just another Pokémon of the same species.
• Check Summary lists the destination game.
• You have checked whether GO-origin registration is required.
• You understand whether the route is reversible and whether the source has a permanent no-return rule.
• You selected the intended HOME or destination-game box.
• You are using the Switch version of HOME and are ready to commit the box changes.

For a rare legendary, pause after the summary check and read the route one last time. A few seconds of verification can prevent an irreversible migration from GO, Bank, FireRed, LeafGreen, Let’s Go, or Z-A.

Key takeaways

1. Check the individual legendary’s permitted games in Check Summary; HOME compatibility alone is not enough.
2. A legendary can move only to a game in which it appears, including the relevant form.
3. GO-origin legendaries may need destination Pokédex registration, and they cannot go back to Pokémon GO.
4. Bank, FireRed/LeafGreen, Let’s Go, and Z-A routes include documented one-way limitations.
5. The Nintendo Switch app—not the mobile app—is where you perform the box transfer.
6. The free Basic Plan is enough for compatible game transfers; Nintendo Switch Online is not required, and Premium cannot bypass restrictions.
7. Always verify the user save, party status, destination box, and reversibility before selecting Save changes and exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transfer a legendary Pokémon between games with Pokémon HOME?

On Nintendo Switch, open Pokémon HOME, choose Pokémon, select the source game and the correct user save, move the legendary to a HOME or destination-game box, and use Check Summary with + to confirm the destination. Press + again and choose Save changes and exit to commit the move.

Rank #4

Pokémon Scarlet Bundle - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

• Only one code for a Hisuian Zoroark can be used in either the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. Upon purchase of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, an email with your code will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account. From the in-game menu, go to the Poké Portal, then select Mystery Gift, select Get with Code/Password, and then enter your code.
• The Mystery Gift option can be found within the Poké Portal menu option in the X menu after you unlock the feature in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. (This occurs after about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.) An internet connection and a Nintendo Account is required to redeem the item in game. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required. Each item can only be redeemed once.

$94.98

Buy on Amazon

Can I move a legendary from Pokémon GO to Scarlet or Sword?

Possibly. Send it from GO to HOME, receive it, and check its permitted games. Certain rare GO-origin Pokémon must first be registered in the destination game’s Pokédex. Even after registration, the individual summary is the final authority. A GO-to-HOME transfer cannot be returned to Pokémon GO.

Why is my legendary grayed out in Pokémon HOME?

The species or form may not appear in the destination, the origin or transfer history may prohibit that route, the Pokémon may be in an active party, or a GO-origin registration condition may not be met. Check Summary identifies the games allowed for that individual.

Can I transfer a legendary back after moving it?

Not always. GO transfers cannot return to GO; Bank transfers cannot return to Bank or Nintendo 3DS games; FireRed and LeafGreen transfers cannot return; and moving from Let’s Go to a newer game blocks the return to the original Let’s Go title. The documented Z-A routes are also directional. Check reversibility before saving.

Do I need Pokémon HOME Premium or Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online is not required. The free Basic Plan can move and trade Pokémon between compatible games. Premium adds features but does not unlock a destination that Check Summary blocks.

Can I transfer a legendary that is in my party?

No. Nintendo says Pokémon currently in a party cannot be transferred through HOME. Put the legendary in a PC box in the source game, then reopen the Switch HOME transfer screen.

Can I use the Pokémon HOME mobile app to move a legendary into a game?

No. Use the Nintendo Switch version for game-to-HOME and HOME-to-game box transfers. The mobile app does not perform this box-management operation.

Does registering a GO legendary in the destination Pokédex always unlock it?

No. Registration is required for certain rare GO-origin Pokémon and destinations, but it is not a universal unlock. Recheck the individual Pokémon’s permitted games after registration; species, form, origin, or route rules can still block it.

How do I avoid moving a legendary from the wrong save file?

When HOME asks which game and user save to access, verify the user carefully. HOME can expose save data from other users on the same Switch. If the expected legendary is missing, cancel and inspect the correct save before changing boxes.

The Bottom Line

Use Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch, inspect the exact legendary’s Check Summary, and save only after the intended destination appears. Species, form, origin, Pokédex registration, and one-way route rules all matter; neither a compatible game list nor a Premium plan overrides an individual restriction.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Pokémon Scarlet - US Version

Embark on a new Pokémon adventure

$46.21

Bestseller No. 2

Pokémon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch - Standard Edition

$53.70

Bestseller No. 3

Nintendo Pokémon Scarlet Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

Embark on a new Pokémon adventure

$59.88

Bestseller No. 4

Pokémon Scarlet Bundle - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

$94.98

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.