Pokémon GO blocks trades for a few different reasons: some Pokémon are never eligible, a Pokémon that has already been traded cannot be traded again, and remote trades have extra restrictions. Other failed trades come down to your level, friendship, distance, a Special Trade limit, or not having enough Stardust. Check the trade screen before confirming; it shows the Stardust cost.
Check these trade requirements first
- Trainer level: both Trainers must be at least Level 10 to trade, according to the Pokémon GO Help Center.
- Friendship: you must be friends with the other Trainer. Secondary guides report that you need to have been friends for at least a day and exchanged a gift; check the in-game trade screen for the current requirement.
- Distance: in-person trades require the Trainers to be nearby—secondary guides describe the range as about 100 metres.
- Stardust: both Trainers need enough Stardust for the trade. The amount displayed beside the confirm button is the amount to check.
Pokémon that cannot be traded
Mythical Pokémon
Mythical Pokémon such as Mew cannot be traded, according to the Pokémon GO Help Center. Mew is obtained through the Special Research “A Mythical Discovery.” Do not assume that every Pokémon commonly labelled Mythical is eligible simply because it is not listed here; confirm an individual Pokémon in the trade screen.
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Pokémon that have already been traded
A Pokémon can be traded only once. A Pokémon received in a trade cannot be traded onward, even to another friend. Niantic’s developer explanation says this restriction prevents Trainers from repeatedly trading the same Pokémon to reroll its stats.
Why a trade may require a Special Trade
Some trades use the daily Special Trade allowance and cost more Stardust. The Pokémon GO Help Center includes Pokémon not registered in your Pokédex, Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, Ultra Beasts, unregistered forms, and Pokémon with unique features such as Location Cards among the Special Trade cases. Examples of forms can include regional forms, Unown, costumed Pokémon, and Castform forms. The game’s trade screen determines how a particular Pokémon is classified.
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Special Trades are limited per day. The exact allowance can vary, including during events, so check the game rather than assuming a fixed daily number. If you have already used the available allowance, the trade will have to wait until another is available.
Stardust costs
Secondary guides report the following baseline costs. These figures can change during events or other game adjustments; treat the amount shown in Pokémon GO as authoritative.
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| Trade type | Good Friend | Great Friend | Ultra Friend | Best Friend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard trade | 100 Stardust | 100 Stardust | 100 Stardust | 100 Stardust |
| Special Trade, Pokémon already registered in the Pokédex | 20,000 Stardust | 16,000 Stardust | 1,600 Stardust | 800 Stardust |
| Special Trade, new Pokédex entry | 1,000,000 Stardust | 800,000 Stardust | 80,000 Stardust | 40,000 Stardust |
Higher friendship can reduce the Stardust cost substantially. If the displayed cost is more than either Trainer can afford, the trade cannot be completed until the shortfall is resolved.
Remote Trade has additional exclusions
Remote Trade is available only with a Forever Friend, a friendship level reached at 180 friendship points, according to the Pokémon GO Help Center. Remote trades do not count as Special Trades, but they have their own eligibility restrictions. The Help Center’s remote-trading guidance, as summarised in search results, excludes:
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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
- 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!)
- Pokémon caught within the last 30 days.
- Pokémon that have already been traded, Shadow Pokémon, and Mythical Pokémon.
- Pokémon defending a Gym or stationed at a Power Spot.
- Your current Buddy.
- Actively Mega-Evolved Pokémon and Fused Pokémon.
- Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta.
A later announcement also lists Pokémon placed at Pokémon Playgrounds as ineligible for remote trading. These remote-only restrictions should not be assumed to apply to in-person trades: for example, the available in-person guidance does not establish that Shadow Pokémon or actively Mega-Evolved Pokémon are barred from in-person trades.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot a Pokémon GO trade that will not go through
- Read the warning on the trade screen. It may identify the Pokémon as ineligible, flag a Special Trade, or show the Stardust required.
- Check the Pokémon’s history and status. A Pokémon that has been traded before cannot be traded again. For a remote trade, also check whether it was caught in the last 30 days, is your Buddy, is defending or stationed somewhere, or has another listed exclusion.
- Check both Trainers’ eligibility. Confirm both accounts meet the Level 10 minimum, are friends, and—if trading in person—are close enough.
- Check the Special Trade allowance. If the Pokémon requires a Special Trade, see whether that day’s allowance has been used; event rules may affect the limit.
- Check both Stardust balances. The displayed amount is specific to the Pokémon and friendship level. If either Trainer is short, the trade cannot be confirmed.
For a remote trade, confirm that you and the other Trainer are Forever Friends and that the Pokémon is not on the remote exclusion list. If the game’s reason is unclear, the classification and cost shown on the current trade screen are more reliable than a general cost chart, because trade rules and event allowances can change.
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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
- 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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