Pokémon GO finally adds Remote Trades with new forever friends feature
Lucky Friends across the world can now complete trades that were once impossible due to distance limits.
The feature Pokémon GO players have been demanding for years is finally becoming a reality. Niantic has officially begun the rollout of a massive update to the social systems of the game: Forever Friends. This new tier, sitting above the current Best Friends status, unlocks the ability to perform Remote Trades, allowing Trainers to swap Pokémon without being in the same physical location.
The rollout has already commenced in select regions, including New Zealand, with a global release expected to follow shortly. This update fundamentally changes how long-distance friendships work. Previously, reaching “Lucky Friend” status with a player across the globe was a bittersweet achievement—a guaranteed lucky trade that could arguably never happen due to the 100-meter distance requirement. Now, those “stuck” lucky trades can finally be realized.
How to Become Forever Friends in Pokémon GO
Reaching this new tier requires dedication. Once you have hit Best Friend status with another Trainer, you must continue interacting to earn Friendship Points. It will require approximately 90 days of interaction (or 90 pints) to bridge the gap from Best Friend to Forever Friend. Points are earned through familiar daily activities: battling together, trading, sending Gifts, or completing weekly challenges.
Once you achieve the title of Forever Friends, you are immediately awarded a Remote Trade. But the grind doesn’t stop there; you can continue to accrue points to fill a progress bar, earning additional Remote Trades and XP rewards over time. It is important to note that you can only hold one Remote Trade at a time per friend, so players are encouraged to use them rather than hoard them.
Important Restrictions
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While this feature opens up the world, it comes with strict guardrails to maintain game balance. The “Authentic and Competitive gameplay” philosophy remains intact by preventing the trade of high-value competitive assets that could break the economy. The following cannot be traded remotely:
- Pokémon caught in the last 30 days
- Shadow or Mythical Pokémon
- Pokémon currently defending Gyms or Power Spots
- Actively Mega-Evolved or Fused Pokémon
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