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On Nintendo Switch, you transfer a legendary Pokémon by opening Pokémon HOME, choosing Pokémon, selecting the source game and its save data, moving the Pokémon into a HOME or destination-game box, and choosing Save changes and exit. Before saving, open the Pokémon’s Check Summary screen and press + to see the games that specific Pokémon can enter. This individual check is decisive: connecting two games to HOME does not guarantee that every legendary can move between them.
That distinction matters most for rare Pokémon. A legendary can be legal in one Switch title but blocked in another, even when both titles connect to HOME. Its species, form, origin and transfer history all matter, and some routes are permanently one-way. Use the steps and checks below before committing a Pokémon you cannot easily replace.
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What determines whether a legendary can move?
Pokémon HOME is a compatibility hub, not a universal converter. The governing rule from The Pokémon Company is that a Pokémon can move only to games in which it appears. A legendary may therefore be accepted by HOME but blocked from a particular destination because of the destination’s Pokédex, the Pokémon’s form, its origin, or a one-way transfer rule.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe practical test is built into the Nintendo Switch version of HOME. Select the Pokémon, choose Check Summary, and press +. HOME displays the games that Pokémon can travel to. Use that screen for the individual legendary you intend to move rather than relying only on a species list or on the fact that both games support HOME.
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- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea.
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure.
Think of compatibility as a two-part question. First, does the destination game contain that species and form? Second, does HOME permit this particular individual to enter, given where it came from and how it has already traveled? Passing the first test does not automatically pass the second.
HOME-compatible Nintendo Switch games
Nintendo lists these Nintendo Switch titles as compatible with Pokémon HOME, while warning that restrictions can apply to particular Pokémon:
| Game | What compatibility means |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Scarlet | Can connect to HOME; each species and form remains subject to HOME’s per-Pokémon check. |
| Pokémon Violet | Can connect to HOME; each species and form remains subject to HOME’s per-Pokémon check. |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Can connect to HOME; each species, form and origin remains subject to HOME’s per-Pokémon check. |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond | Can connect to HOME; restrictions may apply to individual Pokémon. |
| Pokémon Shining Pearl | Can connect to HOME; restrictions may apply to individual Pokémon. |
| Pokémon Sword | Can connect to HOME; restrictions may apply to individual Pokémon. |
| Pokémon Shield | Can connect to HOME; restrictions may apply to individual Pokémon. |
A species being present in one title does not establish that every form, event version or transfer origin is legal there. The Check Summary result is the authoritative practical answer for your copy of the Pokémon.
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Compatibility also works in both directions only when the individual route allows it. HOME may let you place a Pokémon into a destination box while still preventing a later return to the source. Check the intended return path before moving a valuable legendary, not only the first move.
Requirements before you start
- A Nintendo Switch with the game containing the legendary installed and its save data available.
- The Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME. The mobile app does not perform game-to-HOME box transfers.
- A Nintendo Account for the console version. Link the same Nintendo Account to the mobile and console versions if you use both; that synchronizes the HOME account.
- A free HOME Basic Plan or Premium Plan. Nintendo says Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required for Pokémon HOME. The Basic Plan can move and trade Pokémon between compatible games, while Premium adds extra features.
- The legendary must not be in an active party. Nintendo says Pokémon currently in a party cannot be transferred through HOME.
- Enough space in the HOME box or destination-game box to place the Pokémon.
HOME can expose save data belonging to other users on the same Switch. If more than one person uses the console, check the selected user and save data carefully before moving anything.
Keep the source game and HOME open until the save finishes. If you are planning a one-way move, decide where the Pokémon will live afterward and whether you still need it in the original title. A HOME plan level cannot override a species restriction, an origin rule or an irreversible route.
Exact transfer procedure on Nintendo Switch
- From the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu, start Pokémon HOME and press A.
- Select Pokémon.
- Choose the source game that currently contains the legendary.
- Choose the user and save data you want to access. Confirm the user name before making changes, especially on a shared console.
- Use the box view to select the legendary. If it is in a party, return to the source game and place it in a storage box first.
- Select the legendary and choose a HOME box or a box belonging to the destination game. HOME shows where the Pokémon can be placed; do not force a move when the destination is unavailable.
- Before committing, select the Pokémon, choose Check Summary, and press +. Read the compatible-game list for that exact Pokémon, including its form and origin.
- Arrange the Pokémon in the required HOME and game boxes.
- Press +, then choose Save changes and exit. Wait for HOME to finish saving before closing the application or changing games.
The move is complete only after the save finishes. Open the destination game afterward and check its storage box. If the legendary does not appear as an available destination in Check Summary, saving the box layout will not bypass that restriction.
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What the box screen is telling you
The box view is where you choose the physical location of the Pokémon, but it is not a substitute for the summary check. A HOME box is a holding location; a destination-game box is the location that makes the Pokémon available in that title. If HOME refuses to highlight a game box, move the cursor back to the Pokémon and inspect Check Summary again.
When several users or saves are present, the game selector and user selector are separate decisions. Selecting the right game but the wrong user can make a legendary appear to be missing. Confirm the profile, save data and current box before changing anything.
Moving a legendary from Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO-origin legendaries have two special rules. First, certain rare Pokémon sent from Pokémon GO to HOME cannot enter another game until that Pokémon has been registered in the destination game’s Pokédex. Second, a Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO to HOME cannot be returned to Pokémon GO.
Recommended sequence
- Transfer the legendary from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME using the GO-to-HOME process.
- Receive it in HOME and inspect it with Check Summary.
- If the destination game is blocked, register that species in the destination game’s Pokédex first by catching or otherwise obtaining it there, where that game permits.
- Reopen Check Summary and check the destination again.
- If HOME still does not list the game, do not assume registration can override the remaining restriction. The official rule is specific to the species and destination.
Registration is not a universal unlock. A species can be present in a game while a particular form or transfer history remains disallowed.
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Because the move out of GO cannot be reversed, treat the first transfer as a permanent decision for your GO collection. If you want to keep using the legendary in GO, leave it there. If you send it to HOME, verify the intended Switch destination before completing the next move.
One-way transfers you cannot undo
Plan the destination before pressing Save changes and exit. Several older or special paths are explicitly one-way.
| Origin or route | Restriction | Planning consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! | These games can move Pokémon to HOME and between the two Let’s Go titles, but a Pokémon that enters a newer game cannot return to its original Let’s Go title. | Keep a Pokémon in a Let’s Go game if you may want to use it there again. |
| Pokémon Bank to HOME | Pokémon moved from Bank into HOME cannot return to Bank or be used with Nintendo 3DS titles. | Treat the move as permanent with respect to Bank and 3DS games. |
| FireRed or LeafGreen to HOME | Pokémon transferred from either Game Boy Advance title into HOME cannot be transferred back. | Verify the destination before leaving the original game. |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A | A Pokémon befriended in Z-A cannot be brought into previous main-series titles. A Pokémon brought into Z-A from an older title cannot return to those older titles. | Use Z-A as a committed endpoint when an older-title return matters. |
| Pokémon GO to HOME | A Pokémon transferred from GO to HOME cannot be returned to GO. | Do not send a GO legendary unless you accept that it will stay out of GO. |
These rules are separate from ordinary species compatibility. A Pokémon may be valid for the destination species-wise and still be unable to travel back because of its route history.
For a two-game plan, write down both the outward route and the desired return route. For example, a Pokémon can move from Let’s Go to HOME and between the two Let’s Go titles, but entering a newer game ends the return option to the original Let’s Go title. Likewise, a Bank or FireRed/LeafGreen transfer should be treated as leaving those older environments permanently.
How to choose a destination game
Evaluate four questions in order. This prevents a rare legendary from being moved into a title where it cannot be used or retrieved.
- Does the species and form appear in the destination? HOME cannot move a Pokémon into a game that does not contain it.
- Where did this individual originate? Mark whether it came from Pokémon GO, Pokémon Bank, Let’s Go, FireRed, LeafGreen, Pokémon Legends: Z-A or another HOME-connected title.
- Is the route reversible? Check the one-way cases before saving. A destination can be legal while the return trip is permanently unavailable.
- Does the destination Pokédex require prior registration? This condition is especially relevant to certain rare Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO.
| Decision factor | What to inspect | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Species and form | Whether the destination game contains that legendary and form | HOME’s Check Summary game list |
| Origin | GO, Bank, Let’s Go, FireRed/LeafGreen, Z-A or another title | The Pokémon’s summary and transfer history |
| Reversibility | Whether the route has a documented one-way rule | The route-specific limitations listed above |
| Pokédex registration | Whether the species must first be registered in the destination | HOME’s destination availability and the destination Pokédex |
There is no official aggregate count of legendary Pokémon transferable across every HOME-compatible game. Compatibility is determined by rules and by the individual Pokémon, not by a single universal number.
Comparing common destination choices
Scarlet and Violet, Sword and Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus all connect to HOME, but they do not share an identical roster or identical treatment of every form. Use the exact title shown by Check Summary, rather than assuming that a legendary accepted by one Switch game will be accepted by all seven listed titles.
If your priority is future flexibility, keep the legendary in HOME until you have confirmed the final destination. HOME storage lets you postpone a one-way decision, while moving it into a game can trigger a route restriction. This is especially useful for GO, Bank, Let’s Go, FireRed/LeafGreen and Z-A origins.
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The Pokémon is in a party
Move it from the game’s party into a storage box, close and reopen the HOME box view, and try again. Party Pokémon cannot be transferred.
The species or form is absent from the destination
Use Check Summary and press +. If the destination is not listed, HOME is enforcing the appearance rule. A different form of the same species may have a different result.
The Pokémon came from Pokémon GO
Check whether the destination requires prior Pokédex registration. Register the species in that game where possible, then check the summary again. Registration does not guarantee access if another origin or form restriction remains.
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- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure
The route is one-way
Review whether the Pokémon came from Let’s Go, Bank, FireRed, LeafGreen or Z-A, or whether you are attempting to return a GO transfer. HOME will not provide a reversible route where the official rules prohibit it.
The wrong save data is selected
Exit the transfer view and select the correct Switch user and save data. HOME can display other users’ saves on the same console, so a missing legendary may simply be in a different profile.
You are using the mobile app
Switch to Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch. The mobile version supports HOME account features, but it does not carry out these game-to-box transfers.
There is nowhere to place it
Check that the chosen HOME box or destination-game box has room. If the game is listed in Check Summary but the placement still fails, select a different open box and repeat the save process. Do not interpret an unavailable box slot as proof that the species is incompatible.
Using Pokémon HOME on multiple users and devices
The Nintendo Switch and mobile versions work with a Nintendo Account. Linking both versions to the same account synchronizes your HOME account, but the actual movement between a Switch game and HOME storage must be performed in the console application.
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On a shared Switch, HOME may let you browse save data belonging to another console user. That is useful for consolidating Pokémon, but it also creates a risk of selecting the wrong profile. Always read the user name and save-data label immediately before arranging boxes and again before saving.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A safe pre-transfer checklist
- Confirm the exact Switch user and source save data.
- Remove the legendary from the source game’s party.
- Identify its origin, including whether it came through GO, Bank, Let’s Go, FireRed, LeafGreen or Z-A.
- Check the species and form in the intended destination.
- Open Check Summary and press + to read the allowed-game list.
- For a GO-origin legendary, verify whether destination Pokédex registration is required.
- Confirm that you accept any one-way consequence before saving.
- Press + and choose Save changes and exit, then verify the Pokémon in the destination box.
The safest habit is to treat every legendary as an individual case. HOME’s compatibility screen reflects the Pokémon’s actual species, form and history, while broad statements about a game being “compatible with HOME” describe only the connection between the game and the service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move a legendary directly from one game to another?
No direct cable-style transfer is required. Use the Nintendo Switch version of HOME as the intermediary: select the source game, place the Pokémon in a HOME or destination-game box, check its allowed games, and save the changes. The destination must be listed for that individual Pokémon.
Can I transfer a legendary from Pokémon GO to Scarlet or Sword?
Possibly. Send it to HOME first, then inspect Check Summary. Certain rare GO transfers require the species to be registered in the destination Pokédex before HOME will allow the move. Even after registration, another form or origin restriction can still block the transfer. A GO transfer cannot be returned to Pokémon GO.
Why is my legendary grayed out?
The usual causes are that it is in a party, the destination does not contain that species or form, the Pokémon’s origin has a special restriction, the destination registration condition has not been met, the wrong save data is selected, or you are using the mobile app instead of the Switch app. The summary screen identifies the destination rule that applies.
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- Only one code for a Hisuian Zoroark can be used in either the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. Upon purchase of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, an email with your code will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account. From the in-game menu, go to the Poké Portal, then select Mystery Gift, select Get with Code/Password, and then enter your code.
- The Mystery Gift option can be found within the Poké Portal menu option in the X menu after you unlock the feature in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. (This occurs after about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.) An internet connection and a Nintendo Account is required to redeem the item in game. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required. Each item can only be redeemed once.
Can I move a legendary back after transferring it?
Only if the route remains compatible in both directions. Let’s Go Pokémon cannot return after entering a newer game; Bank transfers cannot return to Bank or 3DS games; FireRed and LeafGreen transfers cannot return; Z-A has documented one-way limitations; and GO transfers cannot return to GO. Check the return path before saving.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online?
No. Nintendo says Switch Online membership is not required for Pokémon HOME. The free Basic Plan supports moving and trading between compatible games, while Premium provides additional features.
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No. Premium does not override the rule that a Pokémon can move only to a game in which it appears. Species, form, origin, Pokédex registration and one-way route rules still apply.
Can I use the mobile HOME app to move the Pokémon?
No. The mobile app handles HOME account features, but game-to-HOME and HOME-to-game box movement is performed in Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch.
How do I know which user’s legendary I am moving?
After choosing Pokémon, select the source game and then the user and save data. HOME can show saves from other users on the same Switch, so confirm the profile name before selecting the legendary and again before Save changes and exit.
Is there a universal list or count of transferable legendary Pokémon?
No single official count covers every HOME-compatible game. The reliable answer is the per-Pokémon game list in Check Summary, because the result can vary by species, form, origin and transfer history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest way to transfer a legendary with Pokémon HOME?
Use the Nintendo Switch app, select the correct source save, move the legendary to a HOME or destination-game box, inspect Check Summary with +, confirm any one-way consequence, then choose Save changes and exit.
Can a Pokémon GO legendary go to a Switch game?
Often, but certain rare GO-origin Pokémon must first be registered in the destination Pokédex. Send the Pokémon to HOME, check the destination, register the species if required and permitted, then check again. GO transfers cannot return to Pokémon GO.
Why does HOME reject a legendary that exists in the destination game?
The individual may have a different form, a restricted origin or a one-way transfer history. HOME checks the specific Pokémon, not just whether the species appears in the title.
Is a transfer from Pokémon Bank reversible?
No. Pokémon moved from Bank to HOME cannot return to Bank or be used with Nintendo 3DS titles.
Does Pokémon HOME require Nintendo Switch Online?
No. Nintendo Switch Online is not required. The Basic Plan supports basic movement and trading between compatible games; Premium adds extra features.
The Bottom Line
Use Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch, not the mobile app, and verify the exact legendary in Check Summary before saving. The destination must contain its species and form, and GO-origin Pokémon may need prior Pokédex registration. Treat transfers from GO, Bank, FireRed/LeafGreen, Let’s Go and Legends: Z-A as potentially one-way, because HOME cannot undo those documented restrictions.
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