List of Pokemon Sword & Shield trade codes to get version exclusives

Trade codes in Pokemon Sword & Shield come in handy if you’re looking to get hold of a specific Pokemon in one of the games. So, we’ve compiled a list of trade codes below for version exclusive ‘mon.

The Galar Region has a lot of tradeable species in the Sword & Shield games, including version exclusives like Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Farfetch’d.

If you’re trying to fill out your Pokedex or are after a particular species or even a Ditto, making random trades will only decrease your chances of getting what you want. So, to make things easier, here’s a rundown of trade codes in the games and what exclusive Pokemon they represent.

Full list of Pokemon Sword & Shield link trade codes

Here are the specific link codes you can use to find a particular Pokemon:

Version exclusives

In the case of version exclusives, the trade won’t be like for like. You’ll be trading your particular game’s exclusive with the listed one from the other game.

Codes are now 8 digits, so, for all of the codes below, add 0000 to the beginning.

Ditto trade code

Game Freak / The Pokemon Company

Another code that’s been set up helps players get that special Ditto. The Transform Pokemon is one, and if not, the most popular creature to trade. Ditto’s unique breeding abilities make it a highly sought-after Pokemon in Sword & Shield.

While it might seem weird trading a Ditto for another Ditto, you can actually do this to find a foreign version of the cute little transform ‘mon to help in Shiny breeding.

Starters trade codes

Unless you’re using our guide to get all three Pokemon starters without trading, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble are also available to get through codes.

Special items

There are even trade codes for Pokemon holding special items, useful for evolving or improving particular ‘mon:

How to set up a link trade

Setting it up is easy. However, don’t forget you must be connected to the internet to be able to trade Pokemon. Follow these steps to start the process:

1. Push Y to open the Y-Comm menu.
2. Press ‘+’ to connect to the Internet. Once this is done, you’ll see the word “Internet” in the top-right corner of the menu.
3. Go to the first option – ‘Link Trade‘.
4. Select the second choice, ‘Set Link Code‘.
5. Enter the corresponding code.
6. Push ‘OK‘ and then ‘YES‘.

From there, you’ll be taken back to the game. Depending on the code used, you’ll probably find a match pretty soon. When you do, you’ll receive the following message: “A trade partner has been found! Time for a trade!“

If it ends up taking a little longer, don’t worry, you’ll be matched whenever someone else is using the same code as you.

Once this is done, a new screen will pop up, showing your Pokemon storage.

1. Select the species you agreed to send.
2. Choose ‘Trade it‘.
3. You’ll be shown the Pokemon the other player will send your way.
4. If you agree, tap ‘Trade it‘ once more.
5. The animation will be triggered, and you’ll receive your new Pokemon.

Keep in mind that even though you’ll be able to check what Pokemon is being sent your way, you won’t be able to see anything else about it, not even stats.

Those are all the Pokemon Sword & Shield trade codes available. For more on the game, check every cat ‘mon and dog Pokemon in the Pokedex, missing Pokemon in Sword & Shield, and how to claim Mystery Gifts.