Pokémon GO Remote Trading Guide: How to Trade with Forever Friends
Quick answer: Yes. Pokémon GO now supports Remote Trading between Forever Friends. You need 180 Friendship Points with another Trainer to reach Forever Friends and earn your first Remote Trade with that person. After completing that trade, you need another 90 Friendship Points together to earn the next one.
You can complete a Remote Trade from anywhere, and both Trainers do not need to be online at the same time for every step. However, only one Remote Trade can be completed per day, each step has a 48-hour response window, and some Pokémon are not eligible for Remote Trading.
This guide explains exactly how the system works.
For the broader in-person trading flow, see the complete guide to trading in Pokémon GO. This page focuses only on the separate Remote Trading system.
Pokémon GO Remote Trading at a Glance
| Rule | Current Remote Trading rule |
|---|---|
| Required friendship level | Forever Friends |
| Friendship Points to reach Forever Friends | 180 |
| First Remote Trade | Awarded when you become Forever Friends |
| Additional Remote Trades | 90 more Friendship Points after completing the previous Remote Trade |
| Remote Trade tag | Unlocks when you are 5 Friendship Points away from Forever Friends |
| Daily limit | 1 completed Remote Trade per day |
| Physical distance | Trainers can trade from anywhere |
| Both Trainers online together? | No |
| Response time | 48 hours for each step |
| Pokémon requested | Up to 3 from your friend's tagged Pokémon |
| Lucky Friends | Remote Trade will still be Lucky |
| Counts as a Special Trade? | No |
| Recently caught Pokémon | Pokémon caught within the last 30 days cannot be Remote Traded |
The important part is that Remote Trading is tied to your friendship with a specific Trainer. Becoming Forever Friends with one person does not give you a Remote Trade with everyone on your Friend List.
Can You Trade Remotely in Pokémon GO?
Yes.
Remote Trading is now an official Pokémon GO feature.
Unlike normal trading, you do not need to physically stand beside the other Trainer. Once you and another player have progressed far enough to become Forever Friends, you can earn Remote Trades that can be completed regardless of where the two Trainers are located.
That makes Remote Trading particularly useful for:
- international friends
- Trainers you met while traveling
- long-term Gift friends
- Lucky Friends who live far apart
- Regional Pokémon collectors
- players who met through online Pokémon GO communities
The main limitation is that Remote Trades are deliberately much harder to earn than ordinary trades.
You cannot simply add somebody as a new friend and immediately Remote Trade with them.
What Are Forever Friends in Pokémon GO?
Forever Friends is a friendship level above Best Friends.
To become Forever Friends with another Trainer, you need to accumulate:
180 Friendship Points
with that specific friend.
Friendship Points can be earned by eligible friendship interactions, including activities such as sending Gifts, battling together, trading, and participating in other friendship activities.
You normally earn up to one Friendship Point per day through regular friendship interactions, although other features such as Weekly Challenges can provide additional Friendship Points.
Once the friendship reaches 180 points, the two Trainers become Forever Friends.
At that point, the first Remote Trade becomes available.
How Many Friendship Points Do You Need for a Remote Trade?
This is one of the most confusing parts of the system because the first Remote Trade and later Remote Trades have different requirements.
First Remote Trade
You need:
180 Friendship Points
to become Forever Friends.
When you reach Forever Friends for the first time with that Trainer, you receive a Remote Trade with them.
Every Remote Trade After That
After you successfully complete the first Remote Trade, you must earn another:
90 Friendship Points
with that same Forever Friend before another Remote Trade becomes available.
So the progression is essentially:
180 points → Forever Friends → Remote Trade
Then:
+90 points → another Remote Trade
Then another 90 Friendship Points are required after that completed trade for the next opportunity.
This is why Remote Trading is designed for long-term friendships rather than frequent everyday trading.
Do Remote Trades Stack?
Not with the same Forever Friend.
You can only have one Remote Trade available with each Forever Friend at a time.
If you already have a Remote Trade available with somebody, it is better to complete that trade rather than expecting additional Remote Trades with the same person to pile up.
After the available Remote Trade is completed, progress toward the next one can continue through the additional Friendship Point requirement.
What Is the Pokémon GO Remote Trade Tag?
Before you reach Forever Friends, Pokémon GO gives you a special way to prepare your trade offers.
When you are 5 Friendship Points away from becoming Forever Friends with another Trainer, the game automatically unlocks the:
Remote Trade tag
You can use this tag to mark Pokémon that you would be willing to trade remotely.
Your Forever Friends can see the Pokémon that you have marked with this tag, and you can see theirs.
This is important because Remote Trading does not work like a normal live trading screen where both players simply scroll through their entire collection together.
The tag effectively becomes your Remote Trading inventory.
Good Pokémon to consider tagging
Depending on what you are willing to trade, your tag might contain:
- duplicate Shinies
- Legendary Pokémon
- Regional Pokémon
- costume Pokémon
- special-background Pokémon
- older Pokémon
- Lucky Trade candidates
- rare collection duplicates
Do not tag something unless you are genuinely willing to trade it.
If you want a more complete public list of your available Pokémon, you can also use World Storage on PogoTrades.
How to Remote Trade in Pokémon GO
Remote Trading happens in several stages.
Unlike ordinary in-person trading, the process does not require both Trainers to perform every action simultaneously.
Step 1: Tag the Pokémon You Are Willing to Trade
Use the Remote Trade tag to mark Pokémon you would consider offering.
Your Forever Friend does the same.
Step 2: Open Your Forever Friend
From the Map:
- Open your Trainer Profile.
- Open the Friends tab.
- Select the Forever Friend you want to trade with.
- Tap Remote Trade.
Step 3: Choose Up to Three Pokémon You Want
You can view the Pokémon your Forever Friend has marked with the Remote Trade tag.
Select up to three Pokémon from their tagged collection that you would be happy to receive.
Your friend performs the same process with your tagged Pokémon.
These selections are effectively wish lists.
Step 4: Choose What You Will Offer
Once you receive your friend's requested Pokémon, select one Pokémon from their requested choices that you are willing to give them.
They do the same using the Pokémon that you requested.
Step 5: Review the Final Trade
Once both Trainers have chosen what they will offer, the final proposed trade becomes visible.
Review it carefully.
You can either:
- confirm the trade
- cancel it
- restart the Remote Trade process
The option to cancel and restart remains available during the process.
Do Both Players Need to Be Online at the Same Time?
No.
This is one of the best features of Remote Trading.
The two Trainers do not need to complete every stage simultaneously.
For example:
- You choose three Pokémon you want.
- Your friend sees your request later.
- They select what they are willing to offer.
- You return later to review the result.
This makes Remote Trading much easier between players in different countries and time zones.
However, you should not ignore a pending trade indefinitely.
How Long Does a Remote Trade Last?
Each Trainer has:
48 hours
to respond to each stage of the Remote Trade process.
If the required response or approval does not happen within the time limit, the Remote Trade may expire and the trading process may need to restart.
That means communication still matters even though the process is asynchronous.
If you know the other Trainer outside Pokémon GO through Discord, Reddit, WhatsApp, Campfire, or another community, agreeing on the trade beforehand can make the process much smoother.
What Is the Daily Remote Trade Limit?
A Trainer can complete:
1 Remote Trade per day
This is separate from the question of how many Forever Friends you have.
Even if you have Remote Trades available with several different Forever Friends, you still cannot complete more than the current daily Remote Trade limit.
Because earning a Remote Trade takes significant friendship progress, it is usually worth planning carefully before confirming one.
Does Remote Trading Have a Distance Limit?
The purpose of Remote Trading is to allow Forever Friends to trade regardless of physical distance.
You do not need to be standing near the other Trainer.
That is fundamentally different from an ordinary in-person Pokémon GO trade.
This means a Trainer in one country can potentially Remote Trade with a Forever Friend in another country once the friendship and Remote Trade requirements have been met.
For collectors, that can be particularly useful when trying to obtain Pokémon that are difficult to access locally.
Which Pokémon Cannot Be Remote Traded?
Remote Trading has additional restrictions.
The following Pokémon are currently not eligible for Remote Trades:
- Pokémon caught within the last 30 days
- Pokémon that have already been traded
- Shadow Pokémon
- Mythical Pokémon
- Pokémon currently defending a Gym
- Pokémon stationed at a Power Spot
- Pokémon currently set as your Buddy
- actively Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- Fused Pokémon
- Crowned Sword Zacian
- Crowned Shield Zamazenta
- Pokémon placed at Pokémon Playgrounds
The 30-Day Rule Is Especially Important
A Pokémon must not have been caught within the last 30 days to be eligible for a Remote Trade.
This can surprise players who catch something specifically for a distant friend.
If you catch a Pokémon today and immediately add it to your Remote Trade plans, you may need to wait until it is old enough to become eligible.
For planned event or Regional trades, keep this rule in mind before promising a Pokémon to somebody.
Can Previously Traded Pokémon Be Remote Traded?
No.
Pokémon that have already been traded are not eligible for another trade.
This follows the broader Pokémon GO trading rule that a Pokémon cannot simply be passed repeatedly between accounts.
If you received a Pokémon through a previous trade, do not include it in your Remote Trading plans.
Can Shadow Pokémon Be Remote Traded?
No.
Shadow Pokémon cannot be included in a Remote Trade.
If you Purify a Pokémon, other trading rules may differ, but a Pokémon that is still a Shadow Pokémon is not eligible.
Can Mythical Pokémon Be Remote Traded?
Mythical Pokémon are listed among Pokémon that cannot be included in Remote Trades.
Always check the Pokémon itself before planning a rare exchange.
Do Remote Trades Count as Special Trades?
No.
Officially, a Remote Trade does not count as a Special Trade, regardless of which eligible Pokémon are exchanged remotely.
This is an important distinction from normal in-person trading.
A Pokémon that would normally make an in-person exchange a Special Trade does not cause the Remote Trade itself to consume a Special Trade under the official Remote Trading rules.
For the rules surrounding ordinary Special Trades, see the Pokémon GO Special Trades Guide.
Can a Remote Trade Be Lucky?
Yes.
If you and your Forever Friend are also Lucky Friends, your next completed trade will be Lucky even if you complete it remotely.
After receiving the Lucky Pokémon from that trade, you are no longer Lucky Friends, just as with a normal Lucky Friend trade.
This makes Remote Trading especially valuable for Lucky Friends who live too far apart to meet in person.
Before deciding what to exchange, read the Pokémon GO Lucky Trades Guide.
Does Remote Trading Change Pokémon IVs?
Trading still affects Pokémon stats.
As with ordinary trades, a traded Pokémon does not simply keep its exact original IV combination.
That means you should not promise another Trainer that a Pokémon will retain a specific IV spread after the trade.
If you want to estimate possible IV outcomes before committing to a valuable exchange, use the Pokémon GO Trade IV & Shiny Calculator.
How Much Stardust Does a Remote Trade Cost?
Remote Trading does not eliminate Stardust considerations.
The cost of a trade can depend on factors such as:
- friendship
- Pokémon registration
- the type of Pokémon being exchanged
- temporary event bonuses
Because Remote Trades can involve valuable Shinies, Legendary Pokémon, backgrounds, costumes, or other collectibles, it is a good idea to understand the cost before finalizing the exchange.
See the complete Pokémon GO Trade Stardust Cost Guide.
Remote Trading vs Regular Trading
| Feature | Remote Trade | Regular Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Need to be physically nearby | No | Yes |
| Friendship requirement | Forever Friends | Standard trading friendship requirements |
| First unlock | 180 Friendship Points | No Forever Friends requirement |
| Additional unlock | 90 Friendship Points after completing the previous Remote Trade | Not required |
| Daily limit | 1 Remote Trade | Governed by normal trading limits |
| Both players active simultaneously | No | Generally yes |
| Special Remote Trade tag | Yes | No |
| 30-day Pokémon restriction | Yes | Not the same Remote Trade restriction |
| Lucky Friends works | Yes | Yes |
| Counts as Special Trade | No | Some trades do |
Remote Trading is therefore not simply ordinary trading with the distance requirement removed.
It is a separate system intended for established long-term friendships.
How to Prepare for a Remote Trade
Because Remote Trades take time to earn, preparation matters.
1. Decide What You Actually Want
Do not waste a rare Remote Trade by entering the process without knowing your target.
Create a clear wishlist of Pokémon you are actually looking for.
You can publish those targets using World Wishlist.
2. Organize What You Can Offer
Review your collection for Pokémon you are genuinely prepared to give up.
Good categories to check include:
- duplicate Shinies
- duplicate Legendary Pokémon
- Regional Pokémon
- costumes
- special backgrounds
- older Pokémon
- event duplicates
Publish your available collection using World Storage.
3. Make a Clean Trade List
If you communicate with the other Trainer outside the game, a visual trade list makes negotiations much easier.
Use the Pokémon GO Trade List Generator to create a shareable list showing what you have and what you want.
4. Check Eligibility Before Promising Anything
Before agreeing on a trade, verify that the Pokémon:
- is not less than 30 days old
- has not already been traded
- is not currently a Shadow Pokémon
- is not being blocked by another Remote Trade restriction
This prevents reaching the final stage only to discover that your planned Pokémon cannot be selected.
5. Check Trade Cost and IV Outcomes
For high-value trades, use the Trade Calculator before committing.
That is especially useful for Lucky Trades and rare collection Pokémon.
How to Find Pokémon GO Remote Trading Partners
Remote Trading does not mean that a brand-new friend can immediately trade with you.
You still need to build the friendship all the way to Forever Friends.
That means the best Remote Trading partner is usually somebody who:
- remains active
- regularly interacts with you
- opens or sends Gifts
- is willing to communicate
- actually has Pokémon you want
- wants something from your collection
If you need more active Pokémon GO friends, start with the PogoTrades Friend Finder.
Then maintain a clear wishlist and storage list so that by the time you reach Forever Friends, both sides already know what a worthwhile Remote Trade might look like.
Common Remote Trading Problems
"We became Forever Friends, but my friend has nothing available."
They may not have added eligible Pokémon to their Remote Trade tag.
A Remote Trade is much easier if both Trainers prepare their tagged collections before the trade becomes available.
"I caught the Pokémon for my friend, but I can't select it."
Check its age.
Pokémon caught within the last 30 days are not eligible for Remote Trading.
"We completed one Remote Trade. Why can't we immediately do another?"
The first Remote Trade is earned at 180 Friendship Points.
After completing it, you need another 90 Friendship Points with that Forever Friend before earning another.
"Can I save several Remote Trades with the same person?"
No. You can only have one Remote Trade available with a specific Forever Friend at a time.
"Does the other Trainer need to be online with me?"
No.
Each side can respond at different times, but the 48-hour response window for each step still applies.
"Can we still trade in person while a Remote Trade is pending?"
Yes.
A pending Remote Trade does not prevent you from completing an eligible in-person trade with that same friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Friendship Points are needed for Forever Friends?
You need 180 Friendship Points with a Trainer to become Forever Friends.
How many Friendship Points are needed for another Remote Trade?
After completing your initial Remote Trade with that Forever Friend, you need another 90 Friendship Points to earn another Remote Trade.
When does the Remote Trade tag unlock?
The special Remote Trade tag unlocks when you are 5 Friendship Points away from becoming Forever Friends.
How many Remote Trades can you do per day?
The current limit is one completed Remote Trade per day.
How long do you have to respond to a Remote Trade?
Each Trainer has 48 hours to respond to each step.
If the required response is not made in time, the Remote Trade may expire and restart.
Do Remote Trades count as Special Trades?
No. Under the official rules, Remote Trades do not count as Special Trades regardless of the eligible Pokémon exchanged.
Can Lucky Friends Remote Trade?
Yes.
If the two Forever Friends are Lucky Friends, their next completed trade will still be Lucky even when performed remotely.
Can you Remote Trade a Pokémon caught today?
No.
Pokémon caught within the last 30 days cannot be Remote Traded.
Can you Remote Trade a Pokémon that was already traded?
No.
Previously traded Pokémon are not eligible.
Can you Remote Trade Shadow Pokémon?
No.
Can you Remote Trade Mythical Pokémon?
Mythical Pokémon are not eligible for Remote Trades.
Is there a distance limit for Remote Trading?
Remote Trading is designed to work without the normal physical proximity requirement once the eligible Forever Friends have earned the Remote Trade.
Make Your Remote Trade Worth the Wait
Reaching Forever Friends takes time, and additional Remote Trades with the same person require even more friendship progress.
That makes each Remote Trade worth planning properly.
A good workflow is:
- Find active Pokémon GO friends.
- Add the Pokémon you want to World Wishlist.
- Add the Pokémon you can offer to World Storage.
- Build a shareable Trade List.
- Check Stardust and IV possibilities with the Trade Calculator.
- Make sure the Pokémon is eligible before starting the Remote Trade.
Remote Trading has turned long-distance Pokémon GO friendships into real trading opportunities. The key is understanding that it is not instant: build the friendship, prepare your Remote Trade tag, know what both Trainers want, and use the opportunity on a trade that is actually worth the wait.