How to Evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon GO?

Posted by Megan Brooks on Jun 24, 2025 • Category: Change Location
3 mins read

If you're wondering how to evolve Inkay in Pokémon GO, you're in the right place! Inkay may look like a simple little Pokémon, but evolving it isn't as straightforward as you might think. In fact, figuring out how to evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon GO can be a bit confusing for new Trainers. Don't worry—we'll walk you through the exact steps so you can add this unique Dark/Psychic-type to your team in no time!

how to evolve inkay in pokemon go

Part 1: How to Evolve Inkay in Pokémon GO?

Without dilly-dallying much, let's follow this step-by-step guide to evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon GO.

1. Collect 50 Inkay Candy – You can get candy by catching Inkay/Malamar, using Pinap Berries, walking with Inkay as your Buddy (3 km per candy), transferring extras, or converting Rare Candy.

catch an inkay

2. Flip your phone upside-down – With those 50 candies, open Inkay's page and physically rotate your device 180°. The "Evolve" button will flip and activate.

eolve inkay

One trainer on Reddit said:

"Turn your phone upside down. Even with the Candies, the Evolve button will only light up if you turn your phone upside down."

3. Tap the Evolve button – Once flipped, hit "Evolve" to complete the transformation into Malamar.

malamar

⚠️ Troubleshooting Tips

Enable auto-rotate or turn off orientation lock so the screen can flip with your phone.

Some older or budget phones lack a gyroscope and won't detect the rotation – if that's your case, try:

  • Using another device with a gyroscope, log in, evolve, then trade back.
  • Borrowing a friend's phone or using a loaner device.

If it's still not working, try restarting the game, turning off battery saver, and rechecking auto-rotate.

🧠 Why this works

This fun mechanic mirrors the original games (Pokémon X/Y), where players had to flip their 3DS upside-down for Inkay to evolve. Malamar truly is Inkay turned on its head!

With 50 candies and a quick flip, you'll soon have Malamar—a quirky, powerful Dark/Psychic-type great for PvP and filling your Pokédex. Good luck, Trainer!

Part 2: How to Catch Inkay in Pokémon GO?

If you want to quickly catch Inkay in Pokémon GO, follow these tips.

Tip 1: Find Inkay in the wild

Inkay can appear in the wild, especially during events featuring Dark-type or Psychic-type Pokémon. Look for it in areas with boosted spawns or near PokéStops during special events.

Tip 2: Use Incense and Lures

Activate Incense or place Lure Modules on PokéStops to increase your chances of finding Inkay. It's more likely to appear during certain themed events.

lures and incense

Tip 3: Check Field Research Tasks

Niantic sometimes includes Inkay as a reward for completing specific Field Research tasks during events. Keep an eye on new tasks each month.

complete research tasks

Tip 4: Participate in Events

Seasonal events (like Halloween or Psychic Spectacular) often boost Inkay's spawn rate. Always check event announcements for featured Pokémon.

pokemon go event calendar

Tip 5: Use Nearby and Radar Features

Tap the Nearby Pokémon feature to see if Inkay is spawning close to you. Head toward PokéStops where its silhouette appears.

pokemon nearby feature

🎁 Bonus Tips

  • Use a Pinap Berry to earn extra Candy when catching Inkay.
  • Try catching Inkay during foggy or windy weather for weather-boosted spawns.

Part 3: How to Catch and Evolve Inkay without Walking?

Want to catch and evolve Inkay but don't feel like walking around for kilometers? You're not alone! Whether it's bad weather, limited time, or just wanting a more convenient way to play, many Trainers look for smarter solutions. That's where a GPS spoofing tool like TunesKit Location Changer comes in. With this handy software, you can explore the Pokémon GO world, catch Inkay, and earn candy—all without leaving your home.

Furthermore, it enables you to catch Celebi in Pokémon GO, and it also works with other location-based games such as Monster Hunter Now. It supports a wide range of iPhones and iPads, with no need to jailbreak or root your device.

Why Use TunesKit Location Changer?

No jailbreak required. Easy interface with multiple movement modes. Helps collect Pokémon, candies, and hatch eggs without leaving home.

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Step 1Connect Your Device

Download TunesKit Location Changer on your PC or Mac. Install and launch the program. Connect your iPhone or Android devices to your computer using a USB cable. For iOS users, this software supports Bluetooth connect. Click the Start button on the main screen, and select the Game Mode to start.

select game mode

Step 2Choose Jump Teleport Mode to Catch Inkay

Select Jump Teleport from the map interface, enter a location where Inkay is known to spawn (like a park or area with boosted Psychic/Dark spawns). Click Start Moving to instantly change your GPS location in Pokémon GO. Then look for Inkay in the wild or nearby Pokémon.

set destinations to teleport

Step 3Use Joystick Movement to Simulate Walking for Candy

Switch to Joystick Movement to simulate walking with Inkay as your Buddy (3 km for 1 candy). Use the on-screen joystick to "walk" around, collect candy, or hatch eggs—no actual walking needed.

start joystick movement

Part 4: FAQs about Evolving Inkay in Pokémon GO

  • Q1. Why won't the Evolve button appear for Inkay?

    The evolve button will only activate if your phone is rotated 180 degrees (upside-down). Make sure your device has auto-rotate or orientation enabled.

  • Q2. Can I evolve Inkay without walking for candy?

    Yes! You can use tools like TunesKit Location Changer to simulate walking and collect Buddy Candy without physical movement.

  • Q3. Can I evolve a shiny Inkay?

    Yes! If you're lucky enough to catch a shiny Inkay, it can be evolved into a shiny Malamar using the same method.

  • Q4. Can I trade Malamar after evolving Inkay?

    Yes, Malamar is tradable like any other Pokémon.

Part 5: Conclusion

In this Trainer's Guide on how to evolve an Inkay in Pokémon GO, we walk you through the unique steps required to evolve this tricky Dark/Psychic-type Pokémon into Malamar. For players who want to skip the walking needed to earn Buddy Candy, TunesKit Location Changer stands out as a powerful tool. With this software, you can simulate movement, collect Inkay candy, and even change your GPS location to catch Inkay more easily—all without leaving your home. It's a smart, convenient way to speed up your progress and evolve Inkay hassle-free.

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