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{{search|process of sending Pokémon to another generation|the feature that transfers Pokémon to the Generation V games|Poké Transfer}}
{{samename|mechanic in [[Pokémon GO]] and [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]]|Released Pokémon}}
'''Transferring''' is a process in which Pokémon are sent from a game in one [[generation]] to a game in another, usually later, generation. The exact process usually differs for different generations. Transfers differ from [[trade|trading]] in that they are usually only one-way.

==Transfer methods==
[[Generation III]] is the only generation where there is no method by which one can receive Pokémon from games from a past generation. All other games have a method for receiving Pokémon from the past generation (and therefore, by a chain of transfers, from generations before that as well). With the [[Virtual Console]] releases of [[Generation I]] and {{gen|II}} games and an update to [[Poké Transporter]] in [[Generation VII]], it became possible for the first time since Generation II to have Pokémon from all generations in a single game.

===Generations I and II===
The [[Time Capsule]] allows Pokémon to be traded between [[Generation I]] and [[Generation II]] games, conceptually acting as a [[Time travel|time machine]] bridging the [[History of the Pokémon world|three years]] between events in each generation. It requires two systems connected by a [[Game Link Cable]], or via local wireless in the Virtual Console releases. 

It does not allow trading of any {{cat|Generation II Pokémon}} or any Pokémon that know [[move]]s introduced in Generation II.

===To Generation IV===
The [[Nintendo DS]]'s [[dual-slot mode]] allows Pokémon to be transferred from [[Generation III]] games to [[Generation IV]] games. When a Generation IV game is started with a Generation III game in the console's Game Pak Slot, if [[Pal Park]] has been visited in the game, the option to "Migrate from [game]" will be available on the [[main menu]]. (Due to the removal of the Game Pak Slot for the [[Nintendo DSi]] and [[Nintendo 3DS]], Pokémon cannot be transferred to Generation IV on DSi or 3DS consoles.)

Six Pokémon can be migrated at a time and, in {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, Pokémon can only be migrated once every 24 hours. In the destination game, the migrated Pokémon will be available at [[Pal Park]] for the player to catch in a Catching Show. The [[Park Ball]]s used in Catching Shows always capture a Pokémon when thrown; however, Pokémon captured during the Catching Show retain the kind of Poké Ball they were caught in in a Generation III game.

===To Generation V===
In [[Generation V]], there are two methods of transferring Pokémon from Generation IV: [[Poké Transfer]] and the [[Relocator]]. Poké Transfer is the general transfer method, while the Relocator is a special method of transferring a few specific [[event Pokémon]]. Either method requires two systems and uses the system's built-in wireless communication.

Poké Transfer is used by visiting the [[Poké Transfer Lab]] on {{rt|15|Unova}} in a Generation V game. A {{tc|Scientist}} at the back of the lab will allow the player to start Poké Transfer on their game, at which point a system with a [[Generation IV]] game must be started and the Poké Transfer application must be selected from the system's DS Download Play option. Six Pokémon can be sent to the Generation V game from the Generation IV game via the downloaded application. These Pokémon must then be captured in a time-limited slingshot minigame; any Pokémon that are not caught will remain in the Generation IV game.

The Relocator is only available in {{game|Black and White|s}}. Only the {{DL|List of Nintendo event Pokémon with in-game effects|Celebi}}, {{DL|List of Nintendo event Pokémon with in-game effects|Raikou}}, {{DL|List of Nintendo event Pokémon with in-game effects|Entei}}, and {{DL|List of Nintendo event Pokémon with in-game effects|Suicune}} distributed to commemorate the [[M13|thirteenth movie]] can be transferred with the Relocator. The Relocator can be found in [[Castelia City]] and must be unlocked with the correct keywords.

The following Pokémon have transfer restrictions:
* [[Spiky-eared Pichu]] from [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver]] is not able to leave its game of origin.

===To Generations VI and VII===
====Pokémon Bank====
[[Pokémon Bank]] can facilitate transfer from multiple generations and to multiple generations:

* Pokémon from the [[Virtual Console]] releases of Generations I and II can be sent to Pokémon Bank through [[Poké Transporter]], and may be withdrawn in Generation VII games.
* Pokémon from [[Generation V]] can be sent to Pokémon Bank through [[Poké Transporter]], and may be withdrawn in Generation VI or VII games.
* Pokémon from Generation VI can use two-way transfer with Pokémon Bank. This also applies to Pokémon that originated from [[Pokémon_Bank#Event_distributions|Pokémon Bank distribution events]] during Generation VI. However, once a Pokémon has been in a Generation VII game, it cannot be transferred back into Generation VI.
* Pokémon from Generation VII can use two-way transfer with Pokémon Bank.

{| style="margin: auto; text-align: center"
! Source
!
! Transfer method
!
! Destination
|-
| VC Gen I<br>VC Gen II
| style="padding: 0px 10px" | &rarr;
| Poké Transporter &rarr; Pokémon Bank
| style="padding: 0px 10px" | &rarr;
| Gen VII (excluding LGPE)
|-
| Gen V
| &rarr;
| Poké Transporter &rarr; Pokémon Bank
| &rarr;
| Gen VI<br>Gen VII (excluding LGPE)
|-
| Gen VI
| &rarr;
| Pokémon Bank
| &rarr;
| Gen VII (excluding LGPE)
|}

====Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!====
[[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] are unable to connect directly to Pokémon Bank, despite being Generation VII games. To withdraw a Pokémon in these games, it must first be sent from Pokémon  Bank to Pokémon HOME, where it can then be withdrawn in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! additionally have access to [[GO Park]], which can transfer Pokémon from [[Pokémon GO]] into Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

{| style="margin: auto; text-align: center"
! Source
!
! Transfer method
!
! Destination
|-
| Pokémon Bank
| &rarr;
| Pokémon HOME
| &rarr;
| LGPE
|-
| Pokémon GO
| &rarr;
| GO Park
| &rarr;
| LGPE
|}

The following Pokémon have transfer restrictions:
* Fused versions of {{p|Kyurem}} and {{p|Necrozma}} cannot leave their games of origin, but can leave if they are unfused.
* [[Cosplay Pikachu]] from [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]] cannot leave its game of origin.
* [[Totem Pokémon|Totem-sized]] {{p|Marowak}}, {{p|Ribombee}}, {{p|Araquanid}}, and {{p|Togedemaru}} are exclusive to [[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon]], and cannot go outside the pair of games.
* {{ga|partner Pokémon|Partner}} {{p|Pikachu}} and partner {{p|Eevee}} from [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] cannot leave their games of origin.
* Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! may only withdraw Pokémon with National Pokédex #001 - 151, as well as {{p|Meltan}} and {{p|Melmetal}}.

===To Generation VIII===
[[Pokémon HOME]] allows for the following transfers:
* Pokémon from Pokémon Bank can be sent to Pokémon HOME, and may be withdrawn in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]], or Generation VIII.
* Pokémon from Pokémon GO can be sent to Pokémon HOME through the [[GO Transporter]], and may be withdrawn in Generation VIII.
* Pokémon from Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! can use two-way transfer with Pokémon HOME. However, once a Pokémon has been in a Generation VIII game, it cannot be transferred back into Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
* Pokémon from Generation VIII can use two-way transfer with Pokémon HOME. This also applies to Pokémon that originated from [[List of game-based Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)|Pokémon HOME distribution events]] during Generation VIII.
{| style="margin: auto; text-align: center"
! Source
!
! Transfer method
!
! Destination
|-
| Pokémon Bank
| &rarr;
| Pokémon HOME
| &rarr;
| LGPE<br>Gen VIII
|-
| Pokémon GO
| &rarr;
| GO Transporter &rarr; Pokémon HOME
| &rarr;
| Gen VIII
|-
| LGPE
| &rarr;
| Pokémon HOME
| &rarr;
| Gen VIII
|}
{{-}}

In Generation VIII, not all Pokémon exist in the coding of each game. Due to this, HOME will only permit a Pokémon to be withdrawn if they exist in the coding of the target game.
* If a Pokémon exists in the coding of a particular game, it will have an entry in that game's full Pokédex (i.e. that game's National Pokédex, or equivalent).
* Compatible Pokémon for a particular game may be expanded with updates and DLC over time.
* Due to this system, any Pokémon that lack a compatible game in Generation VIII cannot be withdrawn into Generation VIII at all.

In addition to the above, the following Pokémon have further restrictions on transferring:
* {{ga|partner Pokémon|Partner}} {{p|Pikachu}} and partner {{p|Eevee}} from [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] cannot leave their games of origin.
* Fused versions of {{p|Calyrex}} from [[Pokémon Sword and Shield]] cannot leave their games of origin, but can leave if they are unfused.
* {{p|Spinda}} cannot be transferred between Pokémon HOME and [[Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl]] because of a [[List of glitches (Generation VIII)#Spinda spot pattern glitch|bug]] in the latter game, which causes the encryption constant to be read as a {{wp|Endianness|big-endian}} value (i.e. bytes are read in reverse order), and the possibility to indirectly change Spinda's spot pattern.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Atrius97/status/1500557458623778819?s=20&t=mTXrhj_q08wVglb4s7RrVw @Atrius97]</ref><ref name="serebii-twitter">[https://twitter.com/SerebiiNet/status/1526896501653381122?t=yR4quQbGSrUSh1d2BDJfVQ&s=19 @SerebiiNet]</ref>
* {{p|Nincada}} cannot be transferred to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl due to [[cloning glitches|clone-related glitches]],<ref name="serebii-twitter"/> but Nincada originating in BDSP can be transferred outside of the game.
* [[Gigantamax]] Factor {{p|Meowth}} cannot be transferred to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. In addition to it, Gigantamax Factor {{p|Pikachu}} and {{p|Eevee}} cannot be transferred there too, but also to {{g|Legends: Arceus}}. This is to prevent them from [[evolution|evolving]] while still having the Gigantamax Factor.<ref name="serebii-twitter"/><ref>[https://twitter.com/SerebiiNet/status/1526900020011745282?s=20&t=EjiW0CDu0avbVjizmVLcmA @SerebiiNet]</ref>
* Pokémon from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that are normally only available once per save file (such as Dialga or Palkia) may only be transferred once per BDSP save file + HOME account combination. This is to counteract cloning exploits, by preventing potential clones from being transferable.

{{Inter-gen transfer}}

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