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If you’ve been playing Pokemon GO for a while, you’ve probably noticed that trading isn’t just about collecting different Pokemon or helping friends fill their Pokedex. There’s a special game mechanic that lets certain Pokemon evolve simply by being traded, and it can save you a ton of Candy. This feature, known as Pokemon GO trade evolution, is one of the smartest ways to build a powerful team without endless grinding.
In this complete guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Pokemon GO trade evolution. We’ll cover how it works, list all the Pokemon that evolve by trading, and show you how to get these special evolutions even if you don’t have trading partners nearby. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just starting out, understanding Pokemon evolutions by trade will definitely level up your game.
Table of Contents
- What Exactly is Pokemon GO Trade Evolution?
- Complete List of Pokemon That Evolve By Trading
- How to Find Trading Partners for Pokemon That Evolve By Trading
- Using iMyFone AnyTo for Pokemon GO Trade Evolution
- Making the Most of Pokemon GO Trade Evolution
- Final Thoughts on Pokemon That Evolve By Trading
What Exactly is Pokemon GO Trade Evolution?
Pokemon GO trade evolution is a special feature where certain Pokemon can evolve without using any Candy after they’ve been traded to another player. Normally, evolving these Pokemon would cost you anywhere from 100 to 200 Candy, which can take forever to collect. But once traded, the evolution becomes completely free—you just tap the evolve button and watch your Pokemon transform.
This doesn’t mean these Pokemon can ONLY evolve through trading. If you catch one and want to evolve it yourself without trading, you’ll still need to pay the full Candy cost. The trade evolution option just gives you a free alternative if you’re willing to swap Pokemon with friends.
Trade evolution isn’t the only special evolution method in Pokemon GO. You’ve probably encountered others, like evolving Eevee using special nicknames to get specific forms, or flipping your phone upside down to evolve Inkay. But Pokemon GO trade evolution stands out because it encourages social interaction while saving valuable resources.
Important Things to Know About Trade Evolution
Before you start trading everything in sight, there are some key details you should understand about how Pokemon GO trade evolution works:
Only specific Pokemon can evolve through trading. You can’t just trade any Pokemon and expect a free evolution—it only works with certain species that have this special capability built into their evolution line.
The evolution becomes free immediately after trading. Once the trade is complete, you’ll see the evolve button available without any Candy cost. This applies even if the Pokemon becomes Lucky through the trade or if it was obtained through a Special Trade.
Regular trading rules still apply. You’ll still need to pay Stardust for the trade itself, and you’re still limited by trading distance restrictions. The free evolution doesn’t change any of the standard trading mechanics.
You can’t reset evolution costs by trading back and forth. Once a Pokemon has been traded, it can’t be traded back to the original owner. So you can’t just keep swapping the same Pokemon to get multiple free evolutions.
The concept of Pokemon that evolve by trading actually comes from the original main series Pokemon games. If you’ve ever played Pokemon Red, Blue, or Emerald on a Game Boy Advance emulator, you might remember that Pokemon like Machoke, Haunter, and Kadabra would only evolve when traded between players. Niantic brought this classic mechanic to Pokemon GO to encourage the same kind of social interaction that made the original games so memorable.
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Complete List of Pokemon That Evolve By Trading
Now let’s get to the good stuff—which Pokemon actually qualify for this special evolution method? Here’s the complete list of Pokemon that can evolve for free after being traded, along with their normal Candy costs if you were to evolve them without trading:
| Base Pokemon | Evolved Form | Normal Candy Cost |
|---|---|---|
| #67 Machoke |  | #68 Machamp |
| #75 Graveler |  | #76 Golem |
| #93 Haunter |  | #94 Gengar |
| #64 Kadabra |  | #65 Alakazam |
| #525 Boldore |  | #526 Gigalith |
| #533 Gurdurr |  | #534 Conkeldurr |
| #588 Karrablast |  | #589 Escavalier |
| #616 Shelmet |  | #617 Accelgor |
| #708 Phantump |  | #709 Trevenant |
| #710 Pumpkaboo |  | #711 Gourgeist |
As you can see, the Candy savings can be pretty significant—especially for the Pokemon that normally require 200 Candy to evolve. That’s a lot of catching and walking you can avoid by simply trading with a friend!
Strategic Tips for Pokemon GO Trade Evolution
When you’re planning your Pokemon GO trade evolution strategy, there are a few things to keep in mind that can help you get the most out of this feature.
First, consider the IV reroll that happens during trades. When Pokemon are traded, their Individual Values (IVs) get randomly reassigned. This means that high-IV Pokemon might end up with worse stats after trading, while low-IV Pokemon could potentially become much stronger. If you have a Pokemon with perfect IVs that you want to evolve, you might be better off using Candy rather than risking the trade.
Second, think about Lucky Pokemon. If you trade a Pokemon that’s been in your storage for a long time, there’s a chance it could become Lucky during the trade. Lucky Pokemon cost half as much Stardust to power up, so if you get a Lucky trade evolution Pokemon, you’ve hit the jackpot—free evolution AND cheaper power-ups!
Also, remember that some of these Pokemon that evolve by trading are regional or harder to find in certain areas. If you’re having trouble finding a particular Pokemon in your local area, that’s where trading really becomes valuable. You can trade with someone who has extras of the Pokemon you need, then evolve it for free right after the trade.
How to Find Trading Partners for Pokemon That Evolve By Trading
One of the biggest challenges with Pokemon GO trade evolution is finding people to trade with, especially if you live in a rural area or don’t have many friends who play Pokemon GO locally. The game requires you to be within 100 meters of someone to trade with them, which can be pretty limiting.
Many players join local Pokemon GO groups on social media platforms like Facebook, Discord, or WhatsApp to find trading partners in their area. These communities often organize meetups specifically for trading, which can be a great way to get the Pokemon evolutions by trade that you’re looking for.
Another option is to coordinate with friends or family members who play. If you know someone who plays Pokemon GO, you can plan regular trading sessions to help each other complete your Pokedex and get those valuable trade evolutions.
But what if you don’t have local trading partners, or you’re looking for specific Pokemon that nobody in your area has? That’s where location-changing tools can open up a world of possibilities.
Using iMyFone AnyTo for Pokemon GO Trade Evolution
If finding local trading partners is challenging for you, iMyFone AnyTo offers a solution that lets you connect with trainers worldwide. This powerful location-changing tool allows you to safely simulate GPS movement, making it possible to trade with players anywhere in the world without leaving your home.
With iMyFone AnyTo, you’re not just limited to your local area when it comes to finding Pokemon that evolve by trading. You can virtually travel to different cities or countries to connect with trading communities you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. This is especially helpful for obtaining regional Pokemon or finding trainers who have the specific trade evolution Pokemon you need.
Key Features of iMyFone AnyTo
What makes iMyFone AnyTo stand out for Pokemon GO players looking to maximize their Pokemon GO trade evolution opportunities?
The app version works directly on your phone without needing a computer, making it super convenient for on-the-go trading sessions. You can change your GPS location with just one click, without jailbreaking your iPhone or rooting your Android device.
The joystick control feature lets you simulate natural walking movements, which makes your location changes appear more realistic and helps avoid detection. You can customize your routes and walking speeds to match how you’d normally move around in the game.
Safety is a big priority with iMyFone AnyTo. The tool is designed to work without triggering soft bans or account suspensions that can happen with less sophisticated location-changing methods. It’s compatible with the latest iOS and Android versions, including iOS 18 and Android 16.
The Game Mode includes specialized features for Pokemon GO players, including a cooldown timer to help you follow proper waiting times between location changes, an IV checker, and tools to find PvP battles and raids.
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Check More Details | Download Now! | Check All Deals
How to Use iMyFone AnyTo for Trade Evolution
Using iMyFone AnyTo to enhance your Pokemon GO trade evolution possibilities is straightforward. The mobile app version provides the simplest approach for most players.
After installing the app on your phone, you’ll need to follow the setup instructions to grant the necessary permissions for location services. The app guides you through this process step by step.
Once set up, you can select any location on the map where you’d like to virtually appear. This could be a popular Pokemon GO spot in another city, or a specific coordinate where you know trading communities gather.
The app allows you to choose between different movement modes. You can teleport directly to a location, or set up a multi-stop route if you want to simulate walking between different points.
After selecting your destination and movement preferences, you simply click the Move button and your virtual location will change almost instantly. Then you can open Pokemon GO and start interacting with players in that area as if you were actually there.
For players who prefer using a computer, there’s also a PC version of iMyFone AnyTo that offers the same functionality. The process is similar—you connect your phone to your computer, select your desired location on the map, and click to change your GPS position.
Making the Most of Pokemon GO Trade Evolution
Whether you’re using local trading partners or expanding your options with tools like iMyFone AnyTo, understanding and utilizing Pokemon GO trade evolution can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. The Candy savings alone make it worth pursuing, especially for those 200-Candy evolutions that would otherwise take forever to accumulate.
The social aspect of trading is also a big part of what makes Pokemon GO fun. Coordinating trades with friends, meeting local players, and helping each other complete Pokedex entries creates a sense of community that goes beyond just catching Pokemon alone.
For players who want to take their trade evolution game to the next level, combining multiple strategies often works best. Use local trading for common Pokemon, connect with broader communities through location-changing tools for harder-to-find species, and always be on the lookout for Lucky trade opportunities that can give you even more value.
Remember that while Pokemon GO trade evolution is a powerful feature, it’s just one of many mechanics in the game. Balancing your focus between trading, catching, raiding, and battling will give you the most well-rounded and enjoyable Pokemon GO experience.
Final Thoughts on Pokemon That Evolve By Trading
Pokemon GO trade evolution is a fantastic feature that honors the tradition of the main series Pokemon games while providing practical benefits for mobile players. The ability to evolve powerful Pokemon without spending hundreds of Candy is a game-changer for many trainers, especially those working on completing their Pokedex or building competitive battle teams.
The list of Pokemon that evolve by trading includes some genuinely useful species for both raids and player-versus-player battles. Machamp, Gengar, and Alakazam have been fan favorites since the original games, while newer additions like Conkeldurr and Trevenant have become staples in the current Pokemon GO meta.
Whether you stick to local trading or explore global opportunities with tools like iMyFone AnyTo, making Pokemon GO trade evolution part of your regular gameplay strategy will definitely pay off in the long run. The Candy savings alone can accelerate your progress significantly, letting you power up more Pokemon and try different team compositions without the usual resource constraints.
So next time you’re thinking about evolving one of the Pokemon on our list, consider finding a trading partner first. That free evolution might be just a trade away, and you might even make some new Pokemon GO friends in the process!
Some images in this article are sourced from iMyFone.
