Pokemon GOhas been teasingthe release of a new Gen 5 Pokemon wavefor weeks and their arrival has finally come. As an additional surprise and bonus for fans of the mobile AR game, Niantic also added an iconic franchise mechanic to the mobile game that has been missing since day one: Trade Evolution.
Since the original days of the Pokemon franchise, there have always been some Pokemon that can trigger an evolution by trading it with a friend. The mobile spin on that mechanic is now available inPokemon GOand is going to save players a ton of Candy, that can then be used to power up certain Pokemon rather than evolve them.
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Trade Evolution is now available inPokemon GOfor specific Pokemon. Using the mechanic will allow players to reduce the evolution Candy cost down to zero, which is a massive bonus. A lot of details were released yesterday, so here is everything players need to know about the new mechanic…
What Is Trade Evolution?
Trade Evolution has long been an iconic mechanic in the main Pokémon series. We are excited to adapt this feature to Pokémon GO!
Trading certain Pokémon will result in no Candy cost to evolve them. More Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region are also coming to Pokémon GO—and some of them will benefit from the addition of trade Evolution, too.
How Does Trade Evolution Work?
Trade an eligible Pokémon to lower the Candy cost to evolve them.
When Is Trade Evolution Available?
Trade Evolution is available in the game now! The feature was released on July 25, 2025.
Which Pokemon Can Use Trade Evolution?
Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, and Haunter are some Pokémon that can now benefit from trade Evolution. If you received one of these Pokémon in a trade in the past—congratulations! That Pokémon will retroactively qualify for no Candy cost when you evolve it.
Boldore, Gurdurr, Karrablast, and Shelmet are now appearing in Pokémon GO and will be eligible for trade Evolution benefits. And remember, Trainers: Boldore’s and Gurdurr’s Evolutions, Gigalith and Conkeldurr, might be powerful Pokémon to have in your battle parties!
Karrablast
Shelmet
That’s a lot of new information to digest, so trainers should make sure they keep Trade Evolution in mind as they start catching new Pokemon and planning their PvP and PvE battle rosters for the near future.
For now, players may want to keep hunting downthe best Unova Pokemon in the gameif improving their Battle Raid rosters is their primary goal. Be sure to check back in the near future for morePokemon GOstrategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GOis available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices.
