Pokemon Sword & Shield: How to Transfer Pokemon from GO, Let’s Go, & 3DS

2019 saw this beloved franchise dip its toe into the Switch family of systems and allow transfers from the mobile title. Now, Pokemon Sword and Shield is a full dive into the mainline games that everyone knows and loves.

As we enter a new Pokemon generation you may want to bring over some of your old buddies. Here’s how you can transfer Pokemon from GO, Let’s Go, and 3DS to Sword and Shield.

How to Transfer Pokemon from GO, Let’s Go, & 3DS in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Before you get too far ahead of yourself and start building teams on paper with new Pokemon and your old ones, it’s important to know that not every Pokemon is transferable.

As you’ve likely heard, Sword and Shield don’t have the full National Pokedex. Fortunately, there are still hundreds of Pokemon that you’ll be able to bring along with you into the Galar region.

If you played GO and Let’s Go, then you’ll likely already know how to transfer Pokemon from the mobile game to the Switch. However, this time around the transfer requires a few more steps.

Transfer from GO or Let’s Go

Moving your Pokemon from GO or Let’s Go, can only be done via Pokemon Home. This app can store Pokemon from GO and Let’s Go and then transfer them into Sword and Shield.

Once you put a Pokemon into Home it can’t be moved to any other game but Sword and Shield. Make sure to choose who you transfer wisely so you don’t have any Pokemon stuck in Home.

Transfer from 3DS

Pokemon Bank is the crucial step you need to move your pals over from the 3DS games to Sword and Shield. It’s also important to note that Pokemon Bank requires a $5 per year subscription.

First, you’ll need to put the creatures from your 3DS game into Bank, then you can move them to Home. Once these Pokemon are in Home, then they can transfer into Sword and Shield, but they can’t go back to where they came from.

Unfortunately, Pokemon Home is set to release in early 2020, so you’ll have to wait a little while longer to start Gigantimaxing your beloved Charizard and Pikachu.

There’s no confirmed price right now for Home, but a yearly pricing structure similar to Bank seems likely. Also, once the app is released we’ll be able to give more detailed steps for the transfer process.

That’s all there is to know for now about transferring Pokemon from GO, Let’s Go, & 3DS to Sword and Shield. If you’re looking for any more help with this game, then just check out our Sword and Shield guides wiki once it goes live or search for Twinfinite.