There are two different transfers people mean by “move Pokémon to a new game”: Pokémon HOME moves eligible Pokémon between compatible game saves, while a console save-data transfer or cloud restore moves your game progress. HOME does not move your story progress, and transferring a save does not move Pokémon between games.
Choose the transfer you need
| Your goal | Use | What it moves |
|---|---|---|
| Move Pokémon between supported games | Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 | Eligible Pokémon between HOME boxes and a compatible game’s boxes; not the game’s story save |
| Continue your game on another console | Nintendo’s nearby console save-data transfer or Save Data Cloud | The game’s save data, if the game and transfer method support it |
If you are changing consoles and also want Pokémon in a different game, you may need to do both operations.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version | $54.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Pokemon Shining Pearl - Nintendo Switch Shining Pearl Edition | $52.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! - Nintendo Switch | $53.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Move Pokémon between compatible games with Pokémon HOME
Check that the game and Pokémon are compatible
Nintendo’s current list of games supported by the console version of HOME includes Pokémon Champions, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! See Pokémon HOME game compatibility for the latest list.
Game compatibility does not mean every Pokémon can enter every supported game. A Pokémon can move only to games in which it appears, and additional restrictions may apply. Check that Pokémon’s compatible-games list in HOME before moving it.
#1 Best Overall
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Transfer Pokémon in the console version of HOME
- Open Pokémon HOME on the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 console. The mobile app does not provide the documented box-transfer workflow for the listed Switch games.
- Choose Pokémon, then select the compatible game and the user whose save data you intend to access.
- Move eligible Pokémon between the game’s boxes and HOME boxes. Pokémon in your party cannot be moved through this workflow.
- Review each Pokémon’s summary and compatible-games list before placing it in the destination game’s boxes.
- Save your changes and exit HOME.
HOME can access compatible save data belonging to other users on the same system, so confirm the selected user and game. Nintendo Support warns: “Please be careful not to transfer other players’ Pokémon on your console without their permission.” See Nintendo Support’s HOME guidance.
Understand the app and subscription requirements
Use console HOME to move Pokémon to or from the listed Nintendo Switch games. The mobile app supports some other HOME features, including Pokémon GO transfers and trading, but Nintendo identifies moving Pokémon with the listed Switch games as a console feature. HOME is available on Switch and Switch 2.
Rank #2
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
A paid Pokémon HOME Premium Plan is not required for Pokémon transfers on Switch or Switch 2. If a Premium subscription changes to Basic after you have deposited more than 30 Pokémon, Nintendo says only the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon are available in the Basic Box. Check Nintendo’s HOME information for current plan and storage details.
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Move game progress to another console
To continue a game from another system, transfer or restore its save data. The available method depends on whether both consoles are nearby, whether the game supports Save Data Cloud, and whether you have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Rank #3
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Pearl Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Shining Pearl game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
| Method | What you need | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby console transfer | Both consoles, internet access, and the same Nintendo Account linked to a user on each console | Does not require Nintendo Switch Online; follow the system transfer prompts |
| Save Data Cloud download | An active Nintendo Switch Online membership and a game that supports Save Data Cloud | Downloading replaces the target console’s existing save for that game |
Transfer save data between nearby consoles
- Connect both consoles to the internet and make sure the same Nintendo Account is linked to a user on each.
- Place the consoles near each other.
- Follow the system’s save-data transfer prompts and select the game and save you intend to move.
Nintendo’s nearby console transfer instructions describe this method; it does not require Nintendo Switch Online.
Restore a cloud save
- Confirm that the game supports Save Data Cloud and that the relevant user has an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Check the backup’s date and time before downloading it, and make sure it is the version of progress you want.
- Download the backup using the system’s Save Data Cloud controls for that game and user.
Nintendo Support warns: “Save data downloaded from the backup will replace the existing save data on the console for that game.” The target save that is overwritten cannot be recovered. See Nintendo’s cloud-backup download instructions and the list of games that support Save Data Cloud.
Rank #4
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
If you are moving from Switch to Switch 2
If you want to use HOME with a game on the new console, that game’s save must be present on the console where HOME is being used to connect to it. Pokémon Support recommends transferring console data, including saves, when migrating systems. See Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch 2 for its guidance.
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On a new device, start HOME and sign in with the same Nintendo Account previously linked to HOME. Pokémon Support says an old HOME account used as an unlinked guest account may be unrecoverable: Pokémon, changes, and progress may be permanently lost. See the account-transfer guidance.
To see the same HOME boxes on console and mobile, link both versions to the same Nintendo Account. Pokémon Support warns that if you first use the mobile app without linking the Nintendo Account intended for console HOME, you cannot later link those app versions to that account. Read the instructions for linking HOME versions before setting up the app.
Quick Recap
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