Trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket has been known since the app’s announcement back in Feb. 2024, but the trade button in the Social Hub has been greyed out and slapped with a “coming soon” sticker since launch.
The much-awaited function comes with its own requirements and limitations, meaning you won’t be able to get your hands on a Mew card for mere scraps.
Here’s what we know about when trading will release in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and what we do and don’t know about the feature so far.
Update (Jan. 17): The first official details of trading have been revealed, as well as an additional leak to suggest a possible release date.
When does trading release in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket will release in January 2025, according to the developers via a community post on the official forums.
There isn’t an exact date as to when trading will become available, but since this month sees new booster packs launching (either on Jan. 29 according to leaker PokeGirlLauren on X, or Jan. 30 if CentroLeaks on X’s datamines are to be believed), it’s likely the feature will be bundled together in the same update.
How trades work in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Here’s everything we know — and don’t know — about how trading works in Pokémon TCG Pocket following an update on Jan. 16:
What we know about trades so far
- Trades can be performed between friends.
- All “diamond” rarity cards and “one star” rarity cards can be traded.
- Trading only work with cards of the same rarity.
- Only “certain cards” can be traded from the Genetic Apex and Mystical Island booster packs (meaning it’s likely Promo cards will be excluded), with the selection expanding over time.
- Once traded, cards will be “consumed”.
What we don’t know about trades so far
- Whether it is restricted to friends only. In the wording of how trading works, it says “trades can be done with friends”, which doesn’t explicitly mean it’s friends only. In a dream scenario, Pokémon TCG Pocket could have a trading section where players can list cards they’re looking for or post a binder full of cards they’re willing to trade. Other players can look through their binders and initiate a trade by offering something in return. Of course, it could simply follow Pokémon Go’s lead in allowing trades for friends only.
- Whether there are additional requirements when it comes to trading with friends. For example, can you trade straight away with new friends? Is there is a distance requirement?
- Whether there will be limits to how often you can trade. In Pokémon Go, you can trade up to 100 regular Pokémon a day, while special Pokémon like legendaries and shinies can only be traded once per day — except for during special events where the trading limit is increased. It’s possible Pokémon TCG Pocket could follow suit.
- If there is a cost. Following the footsteps of Pokémon Go, Pokémon TCG Pocket may introduce a cost to initiate a trade beyond cards being consumed. There are a limited number of currencies in the game in its current state, but Pokémon TCG Pocket could use Shine Dust, or introduce a new currency specifically for trading.
For more Pokémon TCG Pocket guides, we have explainers on the Premium Pass, Hourglasses, flair, how to get Mew, the current meta, and showcases.