Transfer Pokémon you want to preserve in Pokémon HOME before Pokémon Bank ends service on February 25, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. PST. Prioritize Pokémon already in Bank that matter to you—such as event Pokémon, shinies, unusual forms, or Pokémon with legacy moves or ribbons—rather than relying on an unofficial “endangered Pokémon” list. Nintendo has not published a definitive list of species that will become unobtainable.
When does Pokémon Bank shut down?
Nintendo says Pokémon Bank will end service on Thursday, February 25, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. PST. At that point, the Bank-to-HOME transfer route will also stop. Nintendo’s instruction is direct: “If you have Pokémon stored in Pokémon Bank that you wish to carry over, please move them to Pokémon HOME prior to Pokémon Bank’s end of service.” See Nintendo’s end-of-service notice.
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Pokémon Bank is not currently available for download. The transfer deadline therefore matters most to people who already have access to the app and Pokémon stored in it; buying a 3DS now will not restore access to a Bank download.
Which Pokémon should you transfer?
There is no official roster of Pokémon that will become unobtainable when Bank closes, and the official notices do not estimate how many collections are affected. Whether a particular Pokémon has another route depends on its species, form, event history, and the games involved. Check those specifics rather than assuming a Pokémon is “gone forever.”
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For your own collection, start with Pokémon already in Bank that you would regret losing access to through the Bank-to-HOME route:
- Event or distribution Pokémon with personal or collection value.
- Shinies and unusual forms.
- Pokémon with legacy moves, ribbons, or other history you want to retain.
- Any Pokémon you want preserved in HOME or available to compatible newer games.
If you have not caught a Pokémon yet, check whether a current or future game offers another way to obtain it. The available official information does not establish alternatives for individual species.
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Decide whether to leave a Pokémon in its 3DS game or move it
A Bank-to-HOME transfer is one-way: a Pokémon moved from Bank cannot be returned there or used with Nintendo 3DS titles. Keep a Pokémon in its original game if continued use in 3DS titles matters more to you; move it if preserving it in HOME or using it in compatible newer games is the priority.
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Check access and requirements before transferring
- Confirm Bank works. Make sure your 3DS can launch Pokémon Bank and that the boxes you intend to transfer are visible.
- Check your accounts and HOME setup. Confirm you can access the relevant Nintendo account and that Pokémon HOME is ready to receive Pokémon.
- Know which HOME plan is required. Bank transfers require Pokémon HOME Premium; they are not available with Basic. Bank and HOME Premium are separate services. Check current regional terms and pricing before subscribing, since HOME says prices can change.
- If your Bank pass expired, try access before assuming the Pokémon are inaccessible. Pokémon Support says to start Bank, decline purchasing a new pass, then choose “Use Pokémon Bank” to inspect boxes. Moving Pokémon to HOME still requires HOME Premium. The guidance was updated January 30, 2026: Pokémon Support’s expired-subscription instructions.
How to move Pokémon from Bank to HOME
- Open Pokémon HOME and begin the transfer using its on-screen prompts.
- HOME displays a temporary Moving Key. On the 3DS, open Pokémon Bank and follow the prompts to select the Pokémon boxes to move.
- Enter the Moving Key in Bank before it expires. Nintendo says the key is valid for three minutes.
- Review the selected Pokémon and confirm the move only when you are sure. Once transferred, they cannot be returned to Bank or used with 3DS titles.
Nintendo’s guide describes the process and requirements: How to Transfer Pokémon (Pokémon HOME). Follow the current prompts in both apps, since screens may change. Do not share the Moving Key or account credentials.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Transfer now or wait?
Moving a Pokémon now protects your chance to use the Bank-to-HOME route before the announced cutoff, but permanently takes it out of the Bank/3DS path. Waiting leaves it where it is for the moment, while giving you less time to resolve hardware, account, or setup problems. Make a box-by-box inventory, decide which Pokémon you want in HOME, and leave enough time to complete and check the transfer before the deadline.
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