Transfer Pokémon Between Sword, Shield, and Pokémon HOME

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Move eligible Pokémon between Pokémon Sword or Shield and Pokémon HOME to store them or bring them into a compatible game. You’ll need a Nintendo Switch with the game and HOME installed, and the same console can access both; a paid HOME plan is not required for basic transfers.

What You’ll Need

A Nintendo Switch with Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield and Pokémon HOME installed.
The Pokémon HOME user profile you intend to use. On Switch, HOME links to the Nintendo Account associated with the selected user profile.
A Pokémon Sword or Shield save file containing the Pokémon you want to move, or available space in a compatible game to receive Pokémon.
A stable internet connection for HOME’s online features and current software updates.

Pokémon HOME’s Nintendo Switch version handles transfers to and from Sword and Shield. The mobile version is useful for viewing and managing your collection, but it does not connect directly to the Switch game boxes. A Basic Plan allows access to one HOME Box; the Premium Plan adds more storage and other features, but is not necessary for moving a Pokémon between a game and HOME.

Step-by-Step

Install and open Pokémon HOME. From the Switch HOME Menu, launch Pokémon HOME. If prompted, choose the Nintendo Account you want to use and complete the initial setup. Keep using that same Switch user profile for later transfers so you open the intended HOME collection.
Open the game connection. In HOME’s main menu, select Pokémon. Choose the Sword or Shield save data you want to connect to. If several user profiles or save files appear, check the game and trainer details before continuing.
Choose which direction to transfer. HOME displays the game’s boxes and your HOME Boxes. To send Pokémon from Sword or Shield to HOME, select them in the game boxes and place them in a HOME Box. To send Pokémon from HOME into Sword or Shield, select them in HOME and place them in an available game box. Use the on-screen controls to pick up and place Pokémon; the button prompts can vary with the selected view.
Check eligibility and space. A Pokémon can be placed in Sword or Shield only if that Pokémon is supported by the game and the destination box has room. HOME indicates when a Pokémon cannot be deposited in the selected game, and the move will not complete into a full box. Move or release nothing unless you are certain; instead, make room by organizing the game boxes.
Confirm the box changes. When you have finished arranging Pokémon, press the button shown for + (Plus) to save and exit the box screen. Read any confirmation prompt, then confirm. Do not close the software or power off while saving.
Verify the transfer. Reopen the Pokémon box screen and check both the source and destination. If you moved a Pokémon out of Sword or Shield, it should no longer be in its old game box and should appear in HOME. If you moved one into the game, check the selected save file’s boxes.
Return to the game if needed. Exit HOME and launch Sword or Shield using the same Switch user profile. The transferred Pokémon will be in the game’s boxes, not automatically in your party. Use the in-game Pokémon Boxes to move it into your party if you want to use it.

You can repeat the box process whenever you want. Moving a Pokémon to HOME does not erase it, but once it is in HOME it is not available in Sword or Shield until you move it back into a compatible game.

Common Mistakes

Trying to use HOME on a phone to move Pokémon into the game. Use the Nintendo Switch version of HOME for Sword and Shield box transfers.
Selecting the wrong user or save file. HOME connects to the save data selected in the game menu. Confirm the trainer and game before moving anything.
Assuming every Pokémon can enter Sword or Shield. HOME can store Pokémon that Sword and Shield do not support, but those Pokémon cannot be placed in that game.
Expecting a Pokémon to appear in the party. Transfers go to boxes. You must move it into the party from the game’s box interface.
Leaving the box screen without saving. Press the indicated save-and-exit control and confirm. Otherwise, the rearrangement may not be applied.
Confusing HOME storage with a game save. Pokémon in HOME are not stored in Sword or Shield. Keep track of their location before starting a new save or changing profiles.

Tips

Move a small test group first, then verify both boxes before transferring a large collection.
Use HOME’s labels and box organization features to keep Pokémon grouped by game, purpose, or transfer status.
When planning to use a Pokémon in Sword or Shield, check that it is compatible with that game before reorganizing your collection.
Do not treat HOME as a substitute for a separate backup. Keep your Nintendo Account and console access in good order, and avoid deleting save data without understanding the consequences.
Transfers between HOME and a game are made through the box screen, rather than by trading with another player.

Troubleshooting

Pokémon HOME does not show Sword or Shield: Confirm that the game is installed on the Switch and that you launched HOME from the intended user profile. Check for software updates, close and reopen HOME, and look again under the game selection screen. HOME may still be able to access a compatible save on the console even if the game card is not inserted, but the save must be available to the selected profile.

A Pokémon cannot be moved into Sword or Shield: The species may not be supported in that game, or the destination box may be full. Try placing it in a different empty box. If HOME marks it as incompatible, leave it in HOME or move it to another game that supports it; changing its position will not make it compatible.

The Pokémon seems to have disappeared: Check all HOME Boxes and the selected game’s boxes, and confirm you are viewing the right user and save. Reopen the box screen and check whether you saved the changes. Do not start another transfer or delete save data until you have checked both locations.

The transfer screen will not save or HOME reports a connection problem: Make sure the Switch is online, close other software that may be interfering, and restart HOME. Install available updates for HOME and the game, then retry. If the issue continues, check Nintendo’s support information for a service interruption or account-specific help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Pokémon from Sword to Shield through HOME?
Yes. Move the Pokémon from Sword into HOME, then open Shield’s save data in HOME and move it into an available box, provided Shield supports that Pokémon.

Do I need Pokémon HOME Premium?
No. Basic HOME access can transfer Pokémon between a compatible Switch game and HOME. The Basic Plan has limited storage, so you may need to manage its available space.

Can I move every Pokémon in HOME into Sword or Shield?
No. Sword and Shield accept only Pokémon supported by those games. Other Pokémon can remain stored in HOME or be moved to another compatible game.

Can I transfer Pokémon using the mobile app?
No. Use HOME on Nintendo Switch for direct transfers between HOME and Sword or Shield. The mobile app does not provide the game-box transfer screen.

Will a Pokémon keep its moves when I transfer it?
Some move details can be adjusted when a Pokémon enters a different game, because games have different move availability. Check the Pokémon’s moves in the destination game before relying on a specific set.

Can I move a Pokémon directly from Sword to Shield without HOME?
Not through the box transfer feature. Use HOME as the intermediary: move it from Sword to HOME, then from HOME to Shield.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.