Now the expansion for Pokemon Sword and Shield, Isle of Armor is out and with The Crown Tundra releasing later this year, now is a great time to learn how to trade Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Overall, trading in Pokemon Sword and Shield is a relatively pain-free task but there are different methods for trading based on if you want to trade your Pokemon with friends that are nearby, or if you prefer to trade online. We’re going to be walking you through both of these methods so don’t worry.
Table of Contents
How to trade in Pokemon Sword and Shield if your friends are nearby
First up is trading with people if they’re close by, here’s how to do it:
- Open your Y-comm menu
Open up your Y-comm menu by pressing Y on your controller/Joy-Con - Step Check you’re trading locally
Check in the top right of your screen. It should say ‘Local Communication’ and this means you’re primed to trade with someone nearby. If it doesn’t press the + button to change this setting. - Select Link Trade
Select ‘Link Trade’ and then ‘Start Trading’. - Find your trading partner
Your Nintendo Switch will now look for the person you’re wanting to trade with. Once this person has been located, press the A button to advance. - Choose the Pokemon you want to trade
Choose the Pokemon you want to trade and select the ‘Trade it’ option. - Trade your Pokemon
The Pokemon the other person has chosen for the trade will appear. If you’re happy, press ‘Trade it’. - Complete the trade and exchange League Card
The trading process will start, accompanied by an animation. Once this is complete you will have the option to receive your friend’s League Card. Choose your desired option. - Trade again or quit
If you would like to continue trading, repeat this process. If not, press B to quit.
There you have it, you’ve just learnt how to trade in Pokemon Sword and Shield with a nearby trainer. Pretty simple!
How to trade in Pokemon Sword and Shield online
So, if you don’t have any friends nearby or they simply don’t have the Pokemon you’re looking for, there’s always the option to trade online in Pokemon Sword and Shield. You will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to proceed but if you do, here’s how to get started:
- Open your Y-comm menu
Open up your Y-comm menu by pressing Y on your controller/Joy-Con
- Check you're trading over the Internet
Check in the top right of your screen. It should say ‘Internet’ and this means you’re primed to trade with someone nearby. If it doesn’t press the + button to change this setting.
- Choose to Link Trade
Choose the ‘Link Trade’ option and then ‘Set Link Code’
- Create your four digit code
Create a four digit code then press + to continue.
- Tell your trading partner your code
Inform the person you want to trade with the four digit code you just entered and have them also complete the above steps.
- Search for your trade partner
The game will now search for the person you’re wanting to trade with. Once they have been found, press the A button to continue.
- Choose the Pokemon you want to trade
Choose the Pokemon you want to trade and select the ‘Trade it’ option.
- Trade your Pokemon
The Pokemon the other person has chosen for the trade will appear. If you’re happy, press ‘Trade it’.
- Complete your trade and receive your partner's League Card
The trading process will start, accompanied by an animation. Once this is complete you will have the option to receive your friend’s League Card. Choose your desired option.
- Trade again or quit
If you would like to continue trading, repeat this process. If not, press B to quit.
It’s as easy as that, you’ve just learnt how to trade your Pokemon online in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
We hope this guide has helped you out a bit and if you’re having trouble with other aspects of Pokemon Sword and Shield such as how to use the Pokemon Box link or how to restart your game, we have walkthroughs for those also!
