This search string will find all eligible trade evolution pokemon in your pokemon storage
The search string below will find all the trade evolution pokemon that must be evolved first before they are eligible for trade evolving for free.
The search string below will include all trade evolve eligible pokemon and their base forms that require evolution first
Trading in Pokémon GO isn’t just about collecting, it can also unlock special trade evolutions. Certain Pokémon evolve for free after being traded, meaning you save on candy and get instant evolution benefits.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Pokémon GO trade evolution, how it works, and a complete Pokémon GO trade evolution list to help you maximize your trades.
Pokémon GO Trade Evolution Explained
Trade evolution allows specific Pokémon to evolve after being traded, without needing extra candy. Once a trade is completed, you’ll see the “Evolve” button become free for those species.
This feature was introduced to encourage trading with friends, similar to mechanics from the mainline Pokémon games.
Pokémon GO Evolution by Trade
When you trade to evolve in Pokémon GO, you benefit in two ways:
- Candy savings – evolution becomes free.
- Potential IV improvement — every trade rerolls IVs, giving a chance at better stats or even a Lucky Pokémon.
- Helps with trade research requirements
- Possible lucky trade
- Possible hundo with reroll of IV
Pokémon GO Trade Evolution List Summary
Here’s a condensed list of all Pokémon GO trade evolves currently available:
- Kadabra → Alakazam *
- Machoke → Machamp *
- Graveler → Golem * (includes Alolan form)
- Haunter → Gengar *
- Boldore → Gigalith *
- Gurdurr → Conkeldurr *
- Karrablast → Escavalier
- Shelmet → Accelgor
- Phantump → Trevenant
- Pumpkaboo → Gourgeist
Asterisk (*) indicates Pokémon that are part of three-stage evolutionary lines, where trade evolution applies only to the middle evolution.
What Pokémon Need to Be Traded to Evolve?
Here’s the Pokémon GO trade evolve list, including their first forms and evolutions. Pokémon marked with (†) are three-stage evolutions where trading only applies from the second to final stage.
| Base Form | Trade-Eligible Form | Evolution After Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Abra | Kadabra | Alakazam |
| Machop | Machoke | Machamp |
| Geodude (Kantonian/Alolan) | Graveler | Golem (Kantonian/Alolan) |
| Gastly | Haunter | Gengar |
| Roggenrola | Boldore | Gigalith |
| Timburr | Gurdurr | Conkeldurr |
| → | Karrablast | Escavalier |
| → | Shelmet | Accelgor |
| → | Phantump | Trevenant |
| → | Pumpkaboo | Gourgeist |
Pokémon GO Evolution Through Trade
Trading Pokémon with friends grants evolution advantages, but both trainers must:
- Be at least Level 10.
- Have opened a friendship connection (through Gifts or battling).
- Be within 100 meters to complete the trade.
Once traded, Pokémon that qualify for trade evolution will show “Evolve for Free” when viewed in your Pokémon storage.
Pokémon GO Free Evolve After Trade
When you trade one of the eligible Pokémon listed above, it can evolve without using candy.
Example:
- Normally, evolving Haunter → Gengar costs 100 Gastly candy.
- Some others require 200 candy
- After trading, that cost becomes 0 candy, it’s free.
Pokémon GO Trade Evolution: Key Tips
You can still evolve these Pokémon without trading, but you’ll pay the full candy cost.
Trading Pokémon rerolls IVs, which can be a great way to improve stats.
Lucky trades reduce power-up cost, making evolved forms cheaper to max out.
FAQs About Pokémon GO Trade Evolution
Trade evolution lets specific Pokémon evolve for free when traded between trainers.
Yes. If the species supports trade evolution, it will show a “Evolve for Free” option after the trade.
Pokémon that can directly evolve after trading are: Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Boldore, Gurdurr, Karrablast, Shelmet, Phantump, Pumpkaboo.
Some of their base forms that need to be evolved with candle first are: Abra, Machop, Geodude, Gastly, Roggenrola, Timburr. Once evolved, then they will be eligible for a candy-free trade evolve.
Yes. You can get both benefits, a free evolution and a possible lucky pokemon with reduced power-up costs.
