How to Get Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go in 2025

Planning to power up your Pokémon and build a top-tier team, but shocked by how fast Stardust disappears? If so, then it's time you learn how to get Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO. These special trades can save you tons of Stardust and boost your Pokémon's potential.

Maybe you're a lucky newer trainer who just got a Lucky Pokémon in a trade and aren't sure what it means. No worries - I've got you covered. In this guide, I'll break down what Lucky Pokémon are, why they matter, and how to increase your chances of getting one - based on real tips that have worked for me as a longtime Pokémon GO player.

Part 1. What Is A Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go

If you're new to the game or just stumbled upon a sparkling Pokémon after a trade, you might be wondering: what is a Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Here's the scoop - Lucky Pokémon are a special kind of Pokémon that you can only get through trading with another trainer. What sets them apart is their golden, glittery background in your storage and summary screen. But that's not just for show.

As someone who's been playing since the early days, I can tell you that discovering your first Lucky Pokémon is a bit magical - it feels like hitting a mini jackpot!

Why Are Lucky Pokémon So Valuable?

Lucky Pokémons aren't just collectibles - they're powerhouses. Here's the benefit of Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go:

1. 50% Stardust Discount for Power-Ups

This is a huge amount of Stradust savings. Powering up Pokémon to compete in raids, PvP, or just to flex in your Gym line-up can drain your Stardust rapidly. But with Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon, every power-up costs half as much. Over time, this has saved me millions of Stardust - literally. That means more powered-up Pokémon, more flexibility, and more wins.

2. Guaranteed High IVs

Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon are also guaranteed to have high IVs - at least 12/12/12 across Attack, Defense, and HP. That's an 80% IV minimum! So even if your trade partner sends over something random, there's a solid chance it turns out to be a strong contender for your battle team.

Honestly, some of my best battlers came from Lucky trades, which helps a lot to level up fast in Pokémon GO. A Lucky Machamp I got years ago is still carrying me through raids and Gym battles today. In the Part 5. I also list some Pokémons that worth a lucky trade investment.

Part 2. How to Get Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go via Regular Trade

So how to get Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go? The most common way is through relugar trading with friends. Every time you trade a Pokémon, there's a small chance it will become a Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon for both you and your trading partner. The base chance is about 5%, but that can go up based on the age of traded Pokémon:

The older the Pokémon you're trading, the higher the odds of it becoming Lucky.

• For each year a Pokémon has been sitting in your storage, the chance of it becoming Lucky Pokémon increases by roughly 5%;
• The chance caps at 20% once the Pokémon is three years old or more.

And here's a lesser-known trick might work to boost Pokémon Go Lucky Pokémon odds:

If both Pokémon were caught on the same day, the Lucky rate can bump up to around 10% - not bad!

Who This Works Best For & Pro Tips

If you're like me and have a habit of hoarding Pokémon "just in case," you're in luck (pun intended). This method is perfect for:

• Veteran Trainers with older Pokémon gathering dust;
• Local groups or friends who trade frequently;
• Anyone chasing a Lucky Pokédex or building PvP teams on a tight Stardust budget.

Part 3. How to Get Lucky Pokémon via Lucky Friends Bonus

If you're looking for a guaranteed Lucky trade in Pokémon GO, becoming Lucky Friends is hands down your best bet. This feature guarantees that your next trade with lucky friend will result in two Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon - one for each of you. It's a game-changer, especially when you're trading rare or high-IV Pokémon.

But here's a catch: how to become Lucky Friends in Pokémon GO for guaranteed lucky trade? Let's break down how to get lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go via lucky friends bonus in 4 steps below:

Step 1 Become Best Friends with Another Trainer

First, before you can become Lucky Friends, you need to reach Best Friend status with a Trainer. This takes 90 days of daily interaction, which includes sending or opening gifts, battling in Gyms or raids together, or completing Trainer Battles.

It might sound like a grind, but trust me - it happens naturally if you're playing regularly with someone. Just make it part of your routine.

Step 2 Keep Interacting Daily to Trigger Lucky Friends

Once you're Best Friends, your first interaction of the day (e.g., sending a gift, joining a raid together, etc.) gives you a small chance (~1.1%) of becoming Lucky Friends.

It's random, but persistence pays off. I've had times where I became Lucky Friends with two different Trainers in the same week - just by keeping those daily interactions going.

Step 3 Confirm Lucky Friends Status

So how to know if you're lucky friends on Pokémon Go? If you're successful, you'll both get an in-game notification, and in your friend list, your buddy's name will have a shiny "Lucky Friends" banner. If you tap their profile, you'll also see: "Your next trade with this friend will be lucky". That's your signal: start planning your trade for Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon!

Step 4 Make a Guaranteed Lucky Trade Pokémon Go

Now it's time to meet up and complete the trade! As long as you're within the Pokémon GO trade distance limit, your next trade will 100% result in a Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon.

After that, your Lucky Friend status resets, and you'll return to regular Best Friends - but you can start working toward becoming Lucky Friends again the next day.

Can't trade with your friends in time? You might need tools like TunesKit Location Changer to shorten your trade distance virtually!

Fastest Way to Become Lucky Friends Pokémon Go

If waiting around for Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon via lucky daily friend interaction isn't your thing, there's a shortcut: the Pokémon GO Lucky Trinket item. Occasionally available during special events (first introduced at Go Tour: Unova Global in March 2025) or in the in-game shop, this item instantly upgrades any friend (from Great Friend and up) to Lucky Friend status.

This is super useful during special events with boosted Lucky rates, or when you've got a must-trade Pokémon (like a Hundo Legendary) and don't want to leave it to chance.

Part 4. How to Get Guaranteed Lucky Trade Pokémon Go with Old Pokémon

How to get lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go without lucky friends? Beyond Lucky Friends, there's another hidden but powerful way to get a guaranteed Lucky Trade Pokémon Go: trading old Pokémon. This mechanic is especially beneficial for veteran players or those receiving Pokémon from older accounts.

Here's how it works as of July 2025:

If you trade a Pokémon that was caught in 2019 or earlier, there's a 100% chance that the trade will brings Pokémon Go Lucky Pokémon for both of you - but only if certain conditions are met:

• The sender (the trainer offering the old Pokémon) must have done fewer than 35 guaranteed Lucky trades on their account.
• If that's true, then both players will receive Lucky Pokémon from the trade.

Even if your friend hasn't played in years, their older catches could be goldmines. I've done this a few times by reaching out to old friends, asking them to reinstall the game, and trading their 2017–2018 Pokémon - instant Lucky!

Part 5. Best Pokémon for Guaranteed Lucky Trade Pokémon Go

So, you've finally scored a guaranteed Lucky trade in Pokémon GO - whether through Lucky Friends or by trading an old Pokémon. Now the big question is: Which Pokémon should you trade to make it really count?

As someone who's done a lot of Lucky Trades over the years (some amazing, some I wish I could take back), I can confidently say: not all Pokémon benefit equally from the Lucky status. If you want the most bang for your Stardust buck, here's what you should prioritize.

• Legendary & Mythical Pokémon: These are the top picks for Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon - expensive to power up and essential for raids and Master League.
• Rare or Meta-Relevant Pokémon: Think of powerful non-Legendaries like Lucario, Togekiss, or Metagross - Pokémon that are expensive to evolve or have limited spawn availability.
• Shiny Pokémon: Whether it's a duplicate or a low-IV Shiny you want to upgrade, a Lucky trade is a perfect way to give that Shiny some extra sparkle and better stats.

Here's a list of top Pokémon that are worth using your guaranteed Lucky trades on - either because they're dominant in raids, PvP, or just plain rare.

Best Pokémon for Lucky Trade	Daily Trade Limit	Primary Use Cases
Mewtwo	1 time	Psychic-type attacker (Raids, Gyms, PvP)
Rayquaza	1 time	Dragon/Flying-type attacker (Raids, Gyms)
Kyogre	1 time	Water-type attacker (Raids, Gyms)
Dialga	1 time	Master League PvP, Dragon/Steel attacker (Raids)
Zekrom	1 time	Dragon/Electric-type attacker (Raids)
Lucario	1 time if it's Shiny	Fighting/Steel-type attacker (Raids)
Groudon	1 time	Ground-type attacker (Raids, Gyms)
Melmetal	1 time	Master League PvP, Gyms, Raids
Haxorus	up to 100	Great Dragon option with good PvP potential, especially during event boosts

Part 6. Bonus: How to Get Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon Go Easily

Trying to get more Pokémon GO Lucky Pokémon - but struggling with distance limits, inconsistent trade opportunities, or rare spawns? That's why I want to share a secret weapon - TunesKit Location Changer - that has helped me and many other trainers get Lucky trades faster, without having to hop on a plane or wait months for an in-person meetup.

This tool allows you to virtually teleport your GPS location on Android or iPhone anywhere in the world - right from your PC. That means:

• You can simulate walking, teleport to any coordinates, or even create a custom driving route without being detected.
• You'll be able to interact with long-distance friends, trade from anywhere, and access more spawns - including rare regional Pokémon and event bonuses.
• No jailbreaking (iOS) or rooting (Android) is required.

Follow these simple steps to change your location and trade from everywhere to boost Lucky trade odds after you install it:

Step 1 Set up your Android or iPhone by following the on-screen prompts. Then choose designated Pokémon GO Game Mode and wait for the in-app map to load.

Step 2 Enter your friend's city or coordinates in the search box. Then click Start Modifying to teleport your location near them.

Step 3 You can now trade for Pokémon Go Lucky Pokémon as if you were right beside them! Or use other 4 movement modes at the top-right corner for more flexible ways to move physically and safely.

Part 7. FAQs on Pokémon Go Lucky Pokémon

Part 8. Conclusion

That's all about how to get Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO - from regular trades to guaranteed methods like Lucky Friends and old Pokémon tricks.

If you want more flexibility over your trading and gameplay, tools like TunesKit Location Changer are perfect. With it, you can simulate your location, trade with friends worldwide, join remote raids, and track down regional exclusive Pokémons - all without leaving home.