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Is It Okay to Transfer Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Transferring a Shadow Pokémon to Professor Willow frees storage and earns Candy, but it is permanent. Weigh battle use, purification, and collection goals first.
WorldPokémon GO? Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Yes—transferring a Shadow Pokémon to Professor Willow is okay if you have decided you do not want to keep that individual. It frees Pokémon storage and gives you Candy, but the transfer is permanent: you cannot get that Pokémon back. Before confirming, weigh its possible battle use, collection value, and whether purification would help with a goal you care about.

What happens when you transfer a Shadow Pokémon?

In Pokémon GO, transferring sends the selected Pokémon to Professor Willow. Niantic says you receive Candy in exchange, but the Pokémon cannot be recovered after the transfer. Treat the confirmation as final, particularly when selecting multiple Pokémon.

Transfer is different from purification. Transferring removes the Pokémon from your storage; purifying changes that Pokémon and uses Stardust and Candy. You do not have to purify a Shadow before transferring it.

How to decide whether to keep or transfer it

Make the decision about the individual Pokémon, rather than applying a rule that every Shadow should be kept or purified.

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Pokémon GO Plus +
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  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
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  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
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  • Battle use: Shadow Pokémon deal more damage and also take more damage. Powering them up and unlocking a second Charged Attack cost more Candy and Stardust than for regular Pokémon, so consider whether the individual fits a team or role you use. The Pokémon Company’s published figures are 20% more damage dealt and 20% more damage taken; game mechanics can change with updates.
  • Purified form and costs: Purification improves appraisal, reduces some future resource costs, and replaces Frustration with Return. Consider it if those changes serve a goal you have; it is not a required step before transfer.
  • Collection or research goals: Keep it if you personally want that Pokémon for a collection, Pokédex goal, or in-game task. There is no universal collection rule that makes every Shadow worth retaining.
  • Storage pressure: If you need room and have no reason to keep this Pokémon, transferring it trades the individual for storage space and Candy.
  • Confidence in your selection: If you are unsure whether you selected the right one, stop and check before confirming. A transferred Pokémon cannot be restored.

Purification costs are not the same for every Pokémon

The Pokémon Company gives example costs of 1,000 Stardust and one Weedle Candy for a Shadow Weedle, and up to 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy for a Shadow Legendary Pokémon. These are examples, not a universal price list; check the cost shown for the Pokémon in your game before purifying.

Which Pokémon can you transfer?

Niantic says active Buddies, favorites, and Pokémon defending Gyms cannot be transferred. Certain Legendary and some Mythical Pokémon are also not selectable, and bulk transfers have additional restrictions. If the game prevents a selection, check the Pokémon’s status and the applicable selection rules rather than assuming it is a Shadow-specific restriction.

Rank #2
Sale
Pokémon GO Plus +
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
  • Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
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If you mean transferring to Pokémon HOME

Sending a Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME is a separate, one-way process; a Pokémon transferred to HOME cannot be returned to GO. Pokémon Support says you must link GO and HOME to the same Nintendo Account and use GO Transporter Energy. The energy cost depends on the Pokémon, and the game displays it during selection. Some special Pokémon cannot be transferred.

The official HOME instructions do not specifically establish whether Shadow Pokémon are eligible. Check the selection and eligibility shown in Pokémon GO instead of assuming every Shadow can—or cannot—be sent.

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Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Pokémon GO Plus +
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The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.; Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
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Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!; Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
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Bestseller No. 5
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Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!; Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
Best Value
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed)
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
  • Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
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Silicone Case for Poke Go Plus + (2023), Go Plus Plus Cover Case with Strap, Soft Protective Case Shockproof Scratch-Resistant (Black)
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  • Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
  • Package: Silicone Case x1; Hand strap x1. If you need any support please feel free to contact us.
Rank #3
Sale
Pokemon Go Plus +
  • Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
  • Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
  • Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
  • There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
  • Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)

Official guidance

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.

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