Pokémon GO Trade Evolution List: All 0-Candy Evolutions

Quick answer: Pokémon GO has 11 Trade Evolution entries that can reach their final evolution for 0 Candy after being received in a trade. These include Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Alolan Graveler, Haunter, Boldore, Gurdurr, Karrablast, Shelmet, Phantump, and Pumpkaboo.

For the full trade flow, Stardust rules, Special Trades, and current Remote Trading options, see the complete guide to trading in Pokémon GO.

Trading is not required to evolve them. You can still pay the normal Candy cost instead. The trade simply unlocks the relevant evolution for 0 Candy.

For three-stage families, you can even trade the Pokémon before it reaches the Trade Evolution stage. For example, a traded Gastly can later be evolved into Haunter normally, and that Haunter can then evolve into Gengar for 0 Candy.

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Complete Pokémon GO Trade Evolution List

Here is the current Trade Evolution list:

The 0-Candy benefit applies to the evolution listed in the table.

For example:

• Kadabra → Alakazam becomes free.
• Haunter → Gengar becomes free.
• Boldore → Gigalith becomes free.
• Phantump → Trevenant becomes free.

Trading does not remove the Candy cost of unrelated earlier evolution stages.

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How Does Trade Evolution Work in Pokémon GO?

Trade Evolution in Pokémon GO works differently from traditional Pokémon games.

In Pokémon GO:

1. One Trainer trades an eligible Pokémon to another Trainer.
2. The receiving Trainer keeps that Pokémon permanently.
3. The Pokémon becomes eligible for its Trade Evolution benefit.
4. When it reaches the correct evolution stage, the relevant evolution costs 0 Candy.
5. The receiving Trainer still needs to tap Evolve manually.

The Pokémon does not automatically evolve when the trade is completed.

Instead, the Candy requirement for the qualifying evolution becomes zero.

For example:

Haunter before trade

Haunter → Gengar = 100 Gastly Candy

Haunter received through a trade

Haunter → Gengar = 0 Gastly Candy

That makes trading especially useful for Pokémon whose normal evolution costs 200 Candy.

Do You Have to Trade These Pokémon to Evolve Them?

No.

This is one of the biggest differences between Pokémon GO and many main-series Pokémon games.

Trading is optional.

If you do not want to trade the Pokémon, you can still evolve it using Candy.

For example:

Your own Boldore

Boldore → Gigalith = 200 Roggenrola Candy

Boldore received in a trade

Boldore → Gigalith = 0 Candy

So Trade Evolution is best thought of as a Candy-saving bonus, not an evolution requirement.

Can You Trade the Base Form Before the Trade Evolution Stage?

Yes.

This is one of the most useful parts of the Pokémon GO system.

The Pokémon does not have to already be at the Trade Evolution stage when it is traded.

If the Pokémon is traded at an earlier stage in the same evolution line, it can still receive the benefit when it later reaches the relevant stage.

Gastly Example

Suppose another Trainer trades you a:

Gastly

You can then evolve:

Gastly → Haunter

using the normal 25 Gastly Candy.

Because that Gastly was originally received through a trade, the next evolution becomes:

Haunter → Gengar = 0 Candy

So the complete cost becomes:

25 Candy instead of 125 Candy

Machop Example

If someone trades you a Machop:

Machop → Machoke = 25 Machop Candy

Then:

Machoke → Machamp = 0 Candy

Total:

25 Candy instead of 125 Candy

Roggenrola Example

If someone trades you a Roggenrola:

Roggenrola → Boldore = 50 Roggenrola Candy

Then:

Boldore → Gigalith = 0 Candy

Total:

50 Candy instead of 250 Candy

This makes trading base forms very useful when you have spare Pokémon but do not want to spend hundreds of Candy.

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How to Find Trade Evolution Pokémon in Your Storage

Pokémon GO has a built-in search command specifically for Trade Evolution.

Search:

tradeevolve⧉

in your Pokémon Storage.

This finds Pokémon that are eligible for a Candy-free or reduced-Candy Trade Evolution benefit after being traded to another Trainer.

To use it:

1. Open your Pokémon Storage.
2. Tap the search icon.
3. Enter tradeevolve⧉.
4. Review the Pokémon that appear.

This is one of the easiest ways to identify Pokémon worth setting aside for trades.

For more useful filters such as shiny⧉, traded⧉, age0⧉, 4*⧉, and advanced search combinations, see our Pokémon GO Search Strings Cheat Sheet.

Does tradeevolve⧉ Mean the Pokémon Is Already Free to Evolve?

Not necessarily.

The tradeevolve⧉ search is designed to identify Pokémon associated with the Trade Evolution mechanic.

That does not mean every result in your Storage has already been traded or currently has a 0-Candy evolution available.

Always open the Pokémon's details before evolving.

A Pokémon that has successfully gained the Trade Evolution benefit will show that its relevant evolution no longer requires Candy.

Best Strategy: Mirror Trade Your Spare Pokémon

One of the easiest ways to use Trade Evolution is a mirror trade.

A mirror trade means both Trainers exchange the same species.

For example:

Trainer A: Haunter
Trainer B: Haunter

Trade:

Haunter ↔ Haunter

After the trade:

• Trainer A receives a traded Haunter.
• Trainer B receives a traded Haunter.
• Both Haunter can now evolve into Gengar for 0 Candy.

This works particularly well for expensive evolution lines such as:

• Boldore
• Gurdurr
• Karrablast
• Shelmet
• Phantump
• Pumpkaboo

because each normally requires 200 Candy for the relevant evolution.

You Do Not Have to Mirror Trade

A mirror trade is useful, but it is not required.

An eligible Pokémon can be exchanged for a different Pokémon and still gain the Trade Evolution benefit.

For example:

Haunter ↔ Eevee

The Trainer receiving Haunter can still evolve that Haunter into Gengar for 0 Candy.

Mirror trades are simply convenient because both players can benefit from the same evolution mechanic.

Do Karrablast and Shelmet Have to Be Traded With Each Other?

No.

This is another common source of confusion.

In some main-series Pokémon games, Karrablast and Shelmet have a special relationship where they are traded with each other.

Pokémon GO does not require that specific pair.

You can trade:

Karrablast ↔ Karrablast

or:

Shelmet ↔ Shelmet

or even:

Karrablast ↔ an unrelated eligible trade Pokémon

and the Trainer who receives Karrablast can evolve it into Escavalier for 0 Candy.

The same principle applies to Shelmet → Accelgor.

Important: You Cannot Trade the Pokémon Back

This is extremely important.

A Pokémon received in a trade cannot be traded again.

That means you cannot do this:

1. Trade your good Haunter to a friend.
2. Let them unlock the free Gengar evolution.
3. Ask them to trade the Pokémon back to you.

That will not work.

Once your friend receives your Haunter, that Pokémon belongs to their account and cannot be traded again.

Do Not Trade a Pokémon You Expect to Get Back

If you have:

• a perfect IV Pokémon
• a very high-ranked PvP Pokémon
• a sentimental Pokémon
• a rare background Pokémon
• a valuable costume
• another Pokémon you want to keep

do not trade it merely to unlock the evolution discount.

Use a spare Pokémon instead.

Trade Evolution Also Rerolls IVs

Trading does not preserve the Pokémon's exact IVs.

When a Pokémon is traded, its IVs are rerolled according to Pokémon GO's trading rules and applicable Friendship-level floors.

For that reason, a high-IV Pokémon before the trade may have very different IVs afterward.

This means Trade Evolution is generally best used with:

• spare Pokémon
• duplicate catches
• mirror-trade candidates
• Pokémon you are comfortable rerolling

rather than a Pokémon with an IV spread you already value.

If you want to understand possible IV outcomes before arranging a trade, use the Pokémon GO Trade IV & Shiny Calculator.

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Which Trade Evolutions Save the Most Candy?

There are two main groups.

100-Candy Evolutions

These normally require 100 Candy:

• Kadabra → Alakazam
• Machoke → Machamp
• Graveler → Golem
• Alolan Graveler → Alolan Golem
• Haunter → Gengar

Trading saves:

100 Candy

per qualifying final evolution.

200-Candy Evolutions

These normally require 200 Candy:

• Boldore → Gigalith
• Gurdurr → Conkeldurr
• Karrablast → Escavalier
• Shelmet → Accelgor
• Phantump → Trevenant
• Pumpkaboo → Gourgeist

Trading saves:

200 Candy

per qualifying evolution.

If Candy is limited, the 200-Candy group generally provides the largest direct saving.

Are Main-Series Trade Evolutions the Same in Pokémon GO?

No.

This is where many lists become confusing.

Several Pokémon evolve by trading in traditional Pokémon games but do not use Pokémon GO's 0-Candy Trade Evolution mechanic.

Examples include Pokémon such as:

• Onix → Steelix
• Scyther → Scizor
• Poliwhirl → Politoed
• Slowpoke → Slowking
• Seadra → Kingdra
• Porygon → Porygon2
• Rhydon → Rhyperior
• Electabuzz → Electivire
• Magmar → Magmortar
• Dusclops → Dusknoir

Pokémon GO uses different mechanics for these evolutions, often involving Evolution Items, Sinnoh Stones, Candy, or other requirements.

Do not assume that a Pokémon receives a free evolution in Pokémon GO simply because it evolves through trading in another Pokémon game.

Does Trading Scyther Make Scizor Free in Pokémon GO?

No.

Scyther → Scizor is not part of Pokémon GO's 0-Candy Trade Evolution list.

Trading Scyther does not remove its Pokémon GO evolution requirements.

The same general warning applies to other item-based trade evolutions from the main games.

Does Trading Onix Make Steelix Free?

No.

Onix → Steelix is not one of Pokémon GO's Trade Evolution entries.

It uses its Pokémon GO evolution requirements instead.

Can Lucky Pokémon Use Trade Evolution?

A Pokémon received from a trade has already satisfied the trading part of the Trade Evolution mechanic.

If the trade also results in a Lucky Pokémon and the species is eligible for Trade Evolution, it can still receive the relevant 0-Candy evolution benefit.

That can make mirror trading especially attractive when you are already trading duplicate Pokémon.

For more information about Lucky Pokémon and Lucky Trades, read the Pokémon GO Lucky Trades Guide.

Can You Use Remote Trading for Trade Evolution?

The important condition for Trade Evolution is that the eligible Pokémon is received through a trade.

If an eligible Pokémon is successfully received through Pokémon GO's Remote Trading system, it has been traded and can receive the applicable Trade Evolution benefit.

Remote Trading has its own friendship requirements, limits, and Pokémon eligibility restrictions, so it is much more restrictive than an ordinary trade.

See the full Pokémon GO Remote Trading Guide before planning a long-distance Trade Evolution.

Best Pokémon to Save for Trade Evolution

If you catch a lot of Pokémon, consider keeping spare copies of:

• Machop
• Gastly
• Geodude
• Roggenrola
• Timburr
• Karrablast
• Shelmet
• Phantump
• Pumpkaboo

instead of immediately transferring every duplicate.

Those extras can become useful mirror-trade candidates.

For example, if both you and another Trainer have several spare Phantump, you can trade them with each other and potentially turn each received Phantump into a Trevenant without spending the normal 200 Candy on the final evolution.

How to Find a Trade Evolution Partner

The basic workflow is simple.

1. Search Your Collection

Use:

tradeevolve⧉

to find potential Trade Evolution Pokémon.

2. Decide Which Pokémon You Can Give Away

Remember that once a Pokémon is traded, you will not get that exact Pokémon back.

Use spare copies.

3. Add Your Pokémon to World Storage

Publish Pokémon you are willing to trade using World Storage.

4. Add What You Need to World Wishlist

If you need a specific Trade Evolution species, add it to World Wishlist.

5. Look for a Matching Trainer

The ideal situation is often:

You have spare Haunter.

Another Trainer has spare Haunter.

Both want Gengar.

That creates a simple mirror trade where both players benefit.

6. Check the Trade Before Confirming

Remember:

• IVs will reroll.
• The Pokémon cannot be traded again.
• The receiving Trainer owns the Pokémon permanently.

Only confirm the trade if you are comfortable with those conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Pokémon evolve for 0 Candy after trading?

The current Trade Evolution entries are:

• Kadabra → Alakazam
• Machoke → Machamp
• Graveler → Golem
• Alolan Graveler → Alolan Golem
• Haunter → Gengar
• Boldore → Gigalith
• Gurdurr → Conkeldurr
• Karrablast → Escavalier
• Shelmet → Accelgor
• Phantump → Trevenant
• Pumpkaboo → Gourgeist

Does a Pokémon automatically evolve when traded?

No.

Trading unlocks the applicable evolution benefit, but you still manually choose when to evolve the Pokémon.

Do you have to trade to evolve these Pokémon?

No.

Trading is optional.

Without a qualifying trade, you can still evolve them by paying their normal Candy requirement.

Can I trade a Gastly instead of Haunter?

Yes.

If you receive Gastly through a trade, you can evolve it into Haunter using the normal Candy cost.

That Haunter can then evolve into Gengar for 0 Candy.

Can I trade Machop instead of Machoke?

Yes.

A traded Machop can later evolve to Machoke normally, and then Machoke → Machamp receives the Trade Evolution benefit.

Can I trade Roggenrola instead of Boldore?

Yes.

A traded Roggenrola can be evolved into Boldore using Candy and then into Gigalith for 0 Candy.

Can I trade the Pokémon back after evolving it?

No.

A Pokémon can only be traded once in Pokémon GO.

The receiving Trainer cannot trade it back to you or pass it to another Trainer.

Do IVs change when trading?

Yes.

The Pokémon's IVs are rerolled during the trade.

Do not trade a Pokémon solely for Trade Evolution if you want to preserve its existing IV spread.

Do Karrablast and Shelmet have to be traded with each other?

No.

Pokémon GO does not require the Karrablast-for-Shelmet pairing used in some main-series games.

Receiving either through an eligible trade is enough to unlock its Trade Evolution benefit.

What does tradeevolve⧉ do?

tradeevolve⧉ is a Pokémon GO Storage search command that helps identify Pokémon associated with Candy-free or reduced-Candy Trade Evolution after trading.

Does trading Scyther make Scizor cost 0 Candy?

No.

Scyther is not part of Pokémon GO's 0-Candy Trade Evolution list.

Does trading Onix make Steelix free?

No.

Onix is also not part of the current Pokémon GO Trade Evolution list.

Save Candy by Trading Smarter

Trade Evolution is one of the easiest ways to save large amounts of Candy in Pokémon GO.

The biggest savings come from Pokémon such as:

• Boldore
• Gurdurr
• Karrablast
• Shelmet
• Phantump
• Pumpkaboo

because each normally requires 200 Candy for its qualifying evolution.

The best workflow is:

1. Search tradeevolve⧉.
2. Keep spare Trade Evolution Pokémon.
3. Find another Trainer with matching Pokémon.
4. Use spare Pokémon rather than prized IV specimens.
5. Complete the trade.
6. Evolve the received Pokémon for 0 Candy.

PogoTrades can help organize the process:

• Search your collection more efficiently
• List Pokémon you can offer
• Publish the Pokémon you need
• Create a visual Trade List
• Estimate Trade IV outcomes
• Learn how long-distance trades work

Instead of spending 100 or 200 Candy every time, identify your spare Trade Evolution Pokémon and find another Trainer who can benefit from the same exchange.