How to Trade Pokémon on DS

Co-authored by Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: October 23, 2022

Generation V

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Generation IV

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Generation IV to V

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Q&A

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Tips

Below are the different Generations of DS Pokémon games:

Generation III - Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen (GBA games, cannot be traded on DS)
Generation IV - Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Generation V - Black, White, Black 2, White 2

Half the fun of Pokémon games is trading with your friends, and the DS versions have made trading easier than ever before. Depending on the version of Pokémon you are playing, you may have several options when it comes time to trade. Note that online trading is no longer possible since Nintendo shut down the Nintendo Wi-Fi Channel.

The Generation you are playing determines the trade methods available. You can only trade between games of the same Generation, though you can perform one-way transfers from an earlier Generation to next one.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Generation V

1
Defeat the first Gym Leader. In order to receive the equipment that you need to trade, you'll need to defeat the first Gym Leader. In Black and White, this is the trio of trainers in the Striaton Gym. In Black 2 and White 2, you'll need to defeat Cheren at the Aspertia Gym.
- In Black and White, you'll receive an elemental monkey in the Dreamyard which will make the fight for your first badge much easier. Try to catch a Purrloin on Route 2 as well.
- In Black 2 and White 2, make sure to catch and train a few Pokémon on your way to Aspertia City. Try to find a Riolu in Floccesy Ranch to make the battle against Cheren a snap.
2
Receive the C-Gear. This item is required in order to connect to other players using the IR feature in the game cartridge.
- In Black and White, you'll need to find Fennel in Striaton City. You'll be tasked with getting Dream Mist from the Dreamyard. Use the Cut move that you're given to cut the tree in the Dreamyard. After the story sequence and the fight with Team Plasma, you'll be given the Dream Mist. Return to Fennel and exchange it for the C-Gear.
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3
Get in the same room as your trading partner. You'll need to be within about 10 feet (3 m) of your trading partner. Once you have the C-Gear, you can trade at any time. You'll have access to all of the Pokémon you've collected, so you don't need to worry about bringing the right Pokémon in your party.^{[1]
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4
Open the C-Gear and select "IR". Select the "Trade" option from the menu that appears.
5
Point your game at your trading partner's game. Your trading partner will need to go through the same process. Once the two DSs are connected, you'll be able to start trading.
- Make sure that you are close enough for the IR signal to connect. If you can't get the connection working, try using the Union Room (see the next section). The Union Room is also better for trading with strangers in public places, as you don't need to synchronize the IR connection.
6
Trade Pokémon. One of the major upgrades to the trading process is complete access to all of your Pokémon. Select the Pokémon that you want to offer for trade and it will appear in the trade window. Once your partner has selected a Pokémon, it will appear in the other window. After you both accept the trade, the Pokémon will be traded.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Generation IV

1
Beat the first Gym. In order to trade, you must have earned at least one Gym badge. This should only take a little while, since the first Gym is pretty close to the start of the game.^{[2]
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- Capture several Pokémon on your way to the first Gym. Try to get several different types of Pokémon so that you can handle different types of opponents.
- Level up your Pokémon before fighting the Gym Leader. By gaining a few levels for each of your Pokémon, you'll make short work of the Gym Leader.
2
Have at least two Pokémon in your party before trading. You won't be able to enter the trading area, called the "Union Room", unless you have at least two Pokémon in your party. You can swap out your Pokémon using a PC, which you can find in most Pokémon Centers.
3
Be within 30 feet (9.1 m) of your trade partner. The DS and 3DS include a wireless capability that allows them to connect to other systems within a 30 foot (9.1 m) area. When using this method, you'll need to enter the Union Room in a Pokémon Center. Ensure that the Wireless switch for each your DS systems is enabled so that they can find each other.
- The DS Pokémon games used to have the ability to connect to the Nintendo Wi-Fi service and use the Global Trade System to trade with anyone in the world. Nintendo has discontinued this service, so the only Pokémon games that can trade over the internet are Generation Vi on the 3DS (click here for instructions).
4
Enter the Union Room. You can enter the Union Room on the second floor of any Pokémon Center. Your trade partner doesn't need to use the same Pokémon Center, as all Union Rooms are connected.
5
Talk to your trade partner. Approach your trade partner's player in the Union Room and select "Trade" in the conversation window. This will bring up the trade menu.
6
Trade your Pokémon. In the Union room, you can only trade the Pokémon that you currently have in your party. Select the Pokémon that you want to offer to trade and it will appear in the trade window. Once your partner has selected a Pokémon, it will appear in the other window. After both of you confirm that you want to make the trade, the Pokémon will be traded.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Generation IV to V

1
Understand the process. You normally cannot trade Pokémon between the two Generations of games. You can transfer small batches of Pokémon at a time from your Generation IV game to your Generation V game (but not vice versa). This is a one-way process, and the Pokémon will be erased from your Generation IV game after being transferred.^{[3]
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- You'll need two DS systems in order to make this transfer.
2
Remove any items your Generation IV Pokémon may be holding. Any items that are being held by Pokémon will be lost when they are transferred, so make sure you remove any items that you want to keep.
3
Beat your Generation V game. In order to transfer your old Pokémon to your Generation V game, you'll need to have beaten the game first and collected all of the Gym Badges. This is to prevent you from getting an unfair advantage by importing a bunch of leveled-up Pokémon.
4
Head to Route 15 and enter the Pokémon Transfer Lab. You can find this facility in the same spot regardless of what Generation V game you're playing.
- When you go to the Lab for the first time, you'll be taken through several conversations.
5
Select "DS Download Play" when prompted. You will then be instructed to continue the process on the second DS system
6
Insert the cartridge you want to transfer from into the second DS and select "DS Download Play". This will be on the main menu of the second DS, before you start the game.
7
Select your "Poke Transfer ID" option. It may take a few moments to download.
8
Select the six Pokémon that you want to transfer. You can select nearly any of your Pokémon from your PC in the Generation IV game. You cannot select any Pokémon that has learned a Hidden Move, but you can use the Move Deleter function to let the Pokémon forget it. You also can't transfer any Pokémon from your active Generation IV party, so move them to your PC first.
9
Use the crossbow on the bottom screen to attempt to catch the Pokémon. Tap and drag the crossbow back to aim and set the power. Release it to send a Poke Ball flying into the top screen. If it hits a Pokémon, you'll capture it.
- If a Pokémon is hiding behind a bush, hit the bush to make it start hopping.
- You only have a certain amount of time to complete this, but you can do this as many times as you'd like.
10
Confirm that you want to transfer the captured Pokémon. Once the game ends, you'll be asked to confirm the transfer. Remember, this is a one-way move, so make sure you want to proceed.

Community Q&A

Question

Can you trade between Alpha Sapphire on a 3DS to a Platinum on a DS Lite? If so, how?

Community Answer

You can make this trade using Pokebank.