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Pokémon HOME is the current hub and destination; Pokémon Bank is the 3DS-era source. If you want Pokémon stored in Bank to move to HOME, you need HOME Premium, and the transfer is one-way. Pokémon Support says Bank service, including transfers to HOME, is scheduled to end February 26, 2027, at 03:00 UTC, so make the move before that deadline if you want those Pokémon in HOME.
Pokémon HOME vs. Pokémon Bank: what each service does
The services have different roles rather than competing as interchangeable storage options. Bank holds Pokémon from supported Nintendo 3DS-family games. HOME is the destination for a Bank transfer and connects to supported newer games. Pokémon HOME is also available on Nintendo Switch 2.
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| Question | Pokémon Bank | Pokémon HOME |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Source service for Pokémon stored from Nintendo 3DS-family games. | Destination for Bank transfers and hub for supported newer games. |
| Transfer direction | Can send Pokémon to HOME; the move cannot be reversed back to Bank. | Receives Pokémon from Bank and connects with supported games. |
| Payment for a Bank transfer | Bank-to-HOME transfer requires HOME Premium. | HOME Premium is required for the transfer; Nintendo Switch Online is not required for the described HOME game connections. |
| Deadline | Service, including Bank-to-HOME transfers, is scheduled to end February 26, 2027, at 03:00 UTC, according to Pokémon Support. | No end date for HOME is stated in the cited Bank shutdown notice. |
HOME does not guarantee that every Pokémon can enter every connected game. Check a Pokémon’s game compatibility in HOME before planning to use it in a particular title.
Which service do you need?
- You only want to keep Pokémon from 3DS games: Bank is where those Pokémon are stored; move the ones you want to preserve to HOME before Bank service ends.
- You want to manage Pokémon for supported newer games: Use HOME, then check the specific Pokémon’s compatibility with the game you have in mind.
- You are deciding whether to move from Bank: The transfer to HOME is irreversible back to Bank, so inspect your selection before confirming.
Can you transfer Pokémon from Bank to HOME without a 3DS?
Yes. Pokémon Support describes an account-linked method that does not require using a 3DS for the transfer. The Nintendo Network ID used with Bank must be associated with the Nintendo Account linked to HOME. This method transfers all Pokémon in Bank at once; it does not let you choose only selected boxes.
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Transfer without using a 3DS
- Confirm that the Nintendo Network ID used with Bank is associated with the Nintendo Account linked to your HOME account.
- Use the account-linked Bank-to-HOME transfer option. Pokémon Support says this route moves all Pokémon in Bank at once.
- Review the consequences before confirming: the transfer cannot be undone by sending Pokémon back to Bank.
Transfer using a 3DS to select boxes
- In Pokémon Bank on the 3DS, select the boxes you want to transfer.
- In HOME, generate the transfer code requested by the transfer process.
- Enter that code in Bank before it expires. Pokémon Support says the code is valid for three minutes.
- Confirm the transfer only after checking the boxes selected, since Pokémon moved to HOME cannot be returned to Bank.
What to check before connecting HOME to a game
For HOME to connect with a supported game, that game’s save data must be on the same console where HOME is launched. This applies to titles such as Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. HOME’s Switch and mobile apps access the same boxes when both are linked to the same Nintendo Account.
Set up the account link carefully: Pokémon Support warns that if you start the mobile app without linking the Nintendo Account you intend to use with the Switch version, you cannot later link that mobile account to the intended Nintendo Account. After linking, check the individual Pokémon’s listed game compatibility in HOME; compatibility is Pokémon-specific.
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When does Pokémon Bank stop working?
Pokémon Support’s Spanish-language notice, dated August 18, 2026, gives the service end time as February 26, 2027, at 03:00 UTC. It says Bank-to-HOME transfers will no longer be possible after that time. If you need Pokémon currently in Bank to reach HOME, complete the transfer before the announced shutdown.
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