How to Trade in Pokémon Go Long Distance [Pro Tips & Tricks]

Posted by Megan Brooks on Jul 14, 2025 • Category: Change Location
3 mins read

Trading in Pokémon GO is a fun way to connect with friends, fill out your Pokédex, and earn some great rewards. But there's one big catch - you need to be within a certain distance to trade. That's tough if your friend lives in another city or even another country!

If you've ever wondered how to trade in Pokémon Go long distance, you're not alone. In this guide, we'll share easy tips and smart tricks to help you complete a Pokémon Go long distance trade without flying far away - no matter where you or your friends are in the world.

how to increase pokemon go trade distance

Part 1. What Is The Trade Distance in Pokémon Go

Before diving into long-distance trading tips, it's important to understand how trading works in the game - especially the distance requirements.

Current Pokémon GO Trade Distance

Under normal conditions, the standard trade distance in Pokémon GO is just 100 meters (about 330 feet). That means you and your friend must be physically nearby - practically standing next to each other - for a trade to go through. So if you're in New York and your friend is in Tokyo, trading directly is not possible under regular rules.

Other Trade Limits and Bonuses in Pokémon GO

There's more to trading than just the distance. Here are a few key limitations and bonuses that every Trainer should know:

prosPokémon Go Trade Distance Bonus:
  • Candy Bonus: Earn 1 to 4 Candies per trade depending on the distance between the caught Pokémon's locations;
  • XL Candy Chance: Trades over 100km can also award XL Candy, which is essential for powering up Pokémon beyond Level 40;
  • Pilot Medal Progress: Every kilometer between trade locations adds up toward your Pilot Medal. To reach Platinum, you'll need to rack up a whopping 10 million kilometers!
consPokémon Go Trade Distance Limit:
  • Trainer Level: Both players must be at least Level 10 to trade;
  • Friendship Level: You must be at least Good Friends (friends for one day);
  • Stardust Cost: Every trade costs Stardust - from as little as 100 to as much as 1,000,000, more Stardust with Shiny Pokémon and lower friendship level;
  • Trade Times per day: Every trainer can only take 100 trades of normal Pokémons per day;
  • Special Trades: Trades involving Shiny or Legendary Pokémon are considered "Special Trades" and are limited to one per day.
tipsNote:

Some Pokémons are not allowed for trade, like Mew and other Mythical Pokémon. Besides, once the Pokémon has been traded, you can't trade it again.

stardust required to trade shiny pokemon

Part 2. Can You Trade Long Distance in Pokémon Go? (And When)

So, can you trade long distance in Pokémon GO? The short answer is yes - but only during certain limited-time events. Fortunately, it's still possible even without the events, check Part 3 or Part 4 and explore how to increase Pokémon Go trade distance!

When Is Long-Distance Trading Allowed in Pokémon GO?

Niantic occasionally boosts Pokémon GO trade distance as part of special events, like the 2021 Winter Wonderland Mini-Event. These temporary bonuses let players trade from farther apart - which is a huge win for friends and communities spread across cities or even countries.

pokemon go long distance trade bonus in 2021 winter wonderland mini event

Once the event ends, the Pokémon Go trade distance resets back to the standard 100 meters. That's why it's important to stay updated on upcoming events through in-game news or Pokémon GO's official blog and social channels.

Events That Often Feature Long-Distance Trade Bonuses:

Community Days: These monthly events often increase the trade distance, making it easier to swap event Pokémon with friends.
GO Fest (Global & In-Person): Niantic's biggest event of the year almost always includes a long-distance trade boost.
Seasonal Events: Events like the Valentine's Day Celebration, Winter Holiday, or Season of GO have historically included expanded trade distances.

Part 3. How to Trade in Pokémon GO Long Distance [Proven Workarounds]

Waiting for a special event just to make a trade with a friend 40 kilometers (or more) away isn't always realistic. If you're wondering how to trade in Pokémon Go long distance without relying on Niantic's limited-time bonuses, there's good news: TunesKit Location Changer offers a proven workaround.

This tool allows you to virtually change your GPS location on Android and iPhone - so you can appear to be standing right next to your friend, even if you're actually continents apart. By simulating GPS movement or instantly teleporting to your friend's location, you can safely bypass Pokémon Go trade distance limit and trade from anywhere in the world, as long as both of you appear within the 100-meter trading radius in-game.

Take Pokémon Go Long Distance Trade without Leaving Home!

Want to trade with friends anywhere in the world without leaving home? TunesKit Location Changer lets you instantly spoof your GPS location in Pokémon Go - no jailbreak, no hassle.

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Here's how to use TunesKit Location Changer for Pokémon Go long distance trade:

Step 1 Download TunesKit Location Changer with above "Try It Free" button. Then, launch TunesKit Location Changer and connect your device to your computer.

Step 2 Set up your Android/iPhone following the prompted instructions.

enable developer mode on android or ios

Step 3 Choose Pokémon Go and wait for the map loads.

choose pokemon go in game mode

Step 4 Enter your friend's location (or any target location) into the search box. Then, click Start Modifying to instantly set your new GPS position near your friend for Pokémon Go long distance trade.

move precisely for pokemon go long distance trade via tuneskit location changer

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Step 5 Tap your Trainer Profile > Friends > choose whom to trade with > tap Trade. Then, wait for your friend to join the session and choose the Pokémon for trade without Pokémon Go trade distance limit.

pokemon go long distance trade

Part 4. How Get Pokémon Go Trade Distance Bonus & Medal Easily

Want to earn credit for long-distance trades in Pokémon GO - without actually traveling or using external tools? There's a clever trick that savvy Trainers use to rack up Pilot Medal distance and snag that sweet Pokémon GO trade distance bonus!

tipsQuick Explanation of This Trick:

The trick is simple: acquire Pokémon that originate from far-away locations, then trade them locally with a nearby friend. The game calculates trade distance based on where the Pokémon were originally caught - not where you are physically when you make the trade.

Here's a break down to increase Pokémon Go trade distance in detail:

Step 1 Get Pokémon from Far Away

Currently, there are 2 main official ways to get Pokémon from remote areas: hatch 7km eggs from friend's gift or participate the Remote Raids yourself.

Methods How It Works Example
7km Eggs from Gifts 1️⃣ Open a gift from a long-distance friend when you have an open egg slot, you might receive a 7km Egg.
2️⃣ Hatch the egg, and the resulting Pokémon will carry the location tag of where the gift was originally obtained.
A Pokémon hatched from an egg sent by a friend in Tokyo will be tagged with Tokyo, Japan.
Remote Raids 1️⃣ Use Remote Raid Passes to join raids hosted by international friends.
2️⃣ The Pokémon you catch (often Legendary) will be tagged with the location of the gym - even if it's thousands of kilometers away.
Catch a Zapdos from a raid in Berlin while sitting at home in Chicago.

catch pokemon with remote raid pass for long distance trade

Step 2 Trade With Your Local Friends within 100m

Now take that Pokémon (you hatched from 7km Egg or catched at Remote Raid) and trade it with a friend who's physically nearby. Because the game tracks where each Pokémon was caught or hatched, it calculates the trade distance between those two points - not between the two Trainers.

This way, you could get a Pokémon Go trade distance of over 10,000 kilometers or more - without ever leaving your town!

get pokemon go trade distance bonus and medal by hatching 7km eggs

Part 5. Will Pokémon GO Ever Allow Remote Trading?

The question on many Trainers' minds is: will we ever see an official Pokémon GO trade over distance feature? It's still hard to tell.

As of now, Niantic has not confirmed any plans to increase Pokémon Go trade distance.

The company's core mission is to promote real-world exploration and social interaction, which is why the current trade system requires players to be within 100 meters of each other - except during special events.

There are a few other reasons Niantic hasn't offered longer Pokémon GO trade distance yet:

🧭 Encouraging local exploration - one of the game's foundational goals;
🗺️ Preserving the rarity of region-exclusive Pokémon;
🛑 Preventing account abuse, black-market trading, and unauthorized reselling.

While it's all speculative for now, here are some popular suggestions from the Pokémon GO community:

  • One remote trade per day.
  • Paid Remote Trade Pass (similar to Remote Raid Passes)
  • Remote trades limited to Best Friends or Lucky Friends
  • Remoter trading during ticketed events or special Community Days

These ideas aim to balance the convenience of long-distance trades with Niantic's desire to preserve in-person interactions and prevent abuse. Or do you have more creative ideas about Pokémon Go trade distance? Share them in the below comment and let's wait for it coming true together!

Part 6. FAQs on Pokémon GO Trade Distance

  • 1. How to Check Distance to Trade in Pokémon Go?

    You can tap Trainer Profile > Friends to check the distance between you and your friends physically. After the trade is done, you can check the Pokémon Go trade distance by viewing the summary of the Pokémon you received.

  • 2. What Is The Max Trade Distance in Pokémon Go?

    Under normal gameplay conditions, the standard Pokémon GO trade distance is 100 meters. During special events in the past, the maximum trade distance was 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles). But the trade distance can be even longer if you use methods in Part 2 and Part 3.

  • 3. What Is Pokémon Go Best Friend Trade Distance?

    Currently, Friendship level does not affect trade distance. Friendship level only influences Stardust cost and the chance of getting a Lucky Pokémon.

  • 4. What Is Pokémon Go Lucky Trade Distance?

    Becoming Lucky Friends gives you a guaranteed Lucky Trade, but it doesn't change the trade distance requirement. You still need to be within 100 meters (or 40km during specific events) to complete the trade.

Part 7. Conclusion

That's all about the Pokémon Go trade distance. While the standard 100-meter range encourages local interaction, special events occasionally stretch that limit to 40 kilometers - so always keep an eye on in-game news.

If you're looking for more consistent options, tools like TunesKit Location Changer can help simulate your location, making long-distance trades possible any time. And don't forget the egg hatching and remote raid tricks - they're a smart, legit way to gain massive trade distance without leaving home.

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