The first-ever remote trades are now live in Pokémon GO, allowing trainers to exchange Pokémon with others they may never meet in real life. This feature is a huge benefit for global Pokémon GO communities, enhancing connectivity and gameplay.
Initially, some trainers reported issues with the feature, but these have been resolved. For years, players have shared friend codes on platforms like Discord and social media to add friends worldwide, especially after remote raid passes were introduced in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This enabled participation in events like raid hour, where trainers battle raid bosses and catch legendary Pokémon more frequently from 6 to 7 p.m. local time every Wednesday.
Adding friends from different time zones helps grind the game, build resources, and catch shiny legendary Pokémon, which are highly sought after in lucky trades for obtaining a shundo—a shiny Pokémon with perfect individual values. If you lack an active local community, you can host raids during your raid hour for global trainers and build friendship points.
The Pokémon GO friendship system has five levels, each requiring interaction over set days through activities like raiding together or exchanging gifts. Becoming best friends takes 90 days of interaction and unlocks the potential for lucky friends, guaranteeing the next trade will be a lucky trade.
Before remote trading was introduced in December 2025 alongside the new forever friends level, trades were only possible locally, requiring proximity to the other trainer. This left some trainers as lucky friends for years without the ability to trade.
Most trainers won't unlock remote trades until March 11, as it takes an additional 90 days to progress from best friends to forever friends. However, some achieved this early through the weekly challenge feature introduced in October 2025. By completing challenges with up to three friends, trainers earn an extra seven friendship points per week, accelerating the process.
A trainer named Tagman50 was among the first to unlock remote trading and discovered a glitch where a lucky trade didn't yield a lucky Pokémon, but this has been fixed. Pokémon GO's developers have a history of reactive issue resolution, and while improvements are hoped for, the feature's launch is a positive step.
Trainers in New Zealand and Australia often face more glitches, acting as beta testers, but issues can persist globally. For example, last year's Ultra Unlock raid day event had bugged shiny rates for Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia, leading to compensation via timed research tasks.
After nearly 10 years, it's disheartening when issues arise, but the introduction of remote trading shows the developers' commitment to the global community. This long-awaited feature enhances the game's social and strategic elements, making it more accessible and engaging for trainers worldwide.
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