Become Forever Friends: Global Trading Arrives in Pokémon GO

Trainers, Pokémon GO introduces Forever Friends — a new Friendship level that goes beyond Best Friends and unlocks powerful perks, exclusive rewards, and the ability to trade with your closest friends from anywhere in the world.

Forever Friends & Remote Trades

Reaching the new Forever Friends level grants XP, rewards, and—most importantly—a Remote Trade. This special trade lets you exchange Pokémon with your Forever Friend globally. You can earn more Remote Trades by continuing to build friendship points, but only one Remote Trade can be held at a time per Forever Friend.

Friendship Points

Progression is now tracked through friendship points. Trainers earn up to one point per day per friend by battling together, trading, sending Gifts, or completing other interactions. Additional points can be earned by completing weekly group challenges.

How Remote Trades Work

Trainers mark Pokémon with a Remote Trade tag. Once two Trainers reach the Forever Friends level, they can each view the other’s tagged Pokémon. Both choose up to three Pokémon they’d like, submit wish lists, and select one final Pokémon to offer. Either Trainer may confirm or cancel at any step.

• If you're Lucky Friends, the next trade is Lucky—even remotely.
• Remote Trades do not count as Special Trades.
• Cannot be traded remotely:
  • Pokémon caught in the last 30 days
  • Previously traded Pokémon
  • Shadow or Mythical Pokémon
  • Gym or Power Spot defenders
  • Buddy or Mega-Evolved Pokémon
  • Fused Pokémon
  • Crowned Zacian or Zamazenta
  • Pokémon at Playgrounds

Weekly Challenges

Up to four Trainers can team up remotely each week to complete shared goals, earning XP and additional friendship points.

Friend List Increase

The friend limit will expand from 450 to 650, rolled out in increments of 50 over the coming weeks.

Free Timed Research

A free Timed Research will run from December 15 at 10:00 a.m. to December 29, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. local time. Complete it to encounter Scatterbug, plus earn XP, Stardust, and additional rewards.

All tasks must be completed—and rewards claimed—before January 4, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. local time.