How to Link Pokémon Champions With Pokémon HOME and Move Your Pokémon

Pokémon Champions lets you bring some of your long-time partners from earlier games into a new battle environment, but only if you connect it correctly to Pokémon HOME. This guide walks through every step of linking your accounts, sending Pokémon into Champions, and returning visiting Pokémon to HOME, while explaining important limits so you don’t risk losing a favorite team member.

What You Need Before You Start

Before attempting any transfers, make sure you satisfy a few basic requirements. Skipping these checks is the most common reason for connection or transfer errors.

Basic Requirements

• Nintendo Account: You must have a Nintendo Account, and it needs to be the same one on all relevant apps and games.
• Pokémon HOME: Installed on Nintendo Switch and/or a compatible mobile device.
• Pokémon Champions: Installed on Nintendo Switch or your mobile platform and updated to the latest version.
• Internet Connection: Required to sign in to Pokémon HOME and sync with Champions.
• Compatible Pokémon: Only Pokémon that exist in Champions’ supported roster can visit from HOME.

Pokémon HOME is an official cloud service for storing and moving Pokémon between supported titles, including Pokémon Champions.¹ Ensuring that the same Nintendo Account is used on both HOME and Champions is critical for successful linking.¹

Checking Your Nintendo Account Alignment

To avoid account mismatch problems, verify that the same Nintendo Account is used across devices and apps.

• On Nintendo Switch: From the HOME menu, select your profile picture and confirm the linked Nintendo Account email.
• In Pokémon HOME (Switch): On the main screen, open Settings or the profile area and confirm it shows the same Nintendo Account.
• Pokémon Champions: In the in-game options or profile menu, verify the account info matches the HOME account.

Step 1: Linking Pokémon Champions From Pokémon HOME (Switch)

The Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME is usually the most convenient way to initialize the connection with Champions, especially if your Pokémon come from other Switch games.

Opening the Link Option

1. Launch Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch.
2. Sign in with your Nintendo Account when prompted.
3. Wait for the main menu to load; you should see your HOME boxes and connection options.
4. Look for a Pokémon Champions icon or button on the main screen (typically near the bottom or side of the menu).
5. Select the Champions icon to begin the linking flow.

Confirming the Correct Account

Once you choose the Champions option, HOME will:

• Display the Nintendo Account it intends to use for the link.
• Ask you to confirm if this is the account associated with Pokémon Champions.

If the account shown is wrong, stop and relink your Nintendo Account in HOME or in Champions before continuing. Proceeding with the wrong account can prevent you from seeing your visiting Pokémon in Champions later.

Step 2: Selecting Pokémon in HOME to Visit Champions

With the initial link underway, you can now choose which Pokémon stored in HOME will visit Pokémon Champions. Think of this as scheduling a temporary trip rather than a permanent migration.

Understanding Compatibility Icons

In the Pokémon selection screen, Pokémon HOME indicates which Pokémon can currently visit Champions:

• Allowed Pokémon: Typically displayed normally without warning icons.
• Incompatible Pokémon: Marked with a red circle and slash or another warning icon. These cannot be sent because Champions does not yet support them.⁵

If a Pokémon is incompatible, there is no way to force it into Champions until support is added in a future update.

Choosing Pokémon for a Visit

1. From the Champions link screen in HOME, browse your boxes.
2. Highlight a compatible Pokémon and select it to mark it for transfer.
3. Repeat for any additional Pokémon you want to send on the same visit.
4. Once you are satisfied with your selection, confirm the send operation. HOME will ask if you are sure you want to send these Pokémon to Pokémon Champions.
5. Approve the transfer. The selected Pokémon are now flagged as visiting Champions and will become available to collect inside that game.

According to the official Champions site, Pokémon sent this way are treated as visitors and must be received through the Recruit menu before they can be used in battle.⁵

Step 3: Collecting Visiting Pokémon Inside Pokémon Champions

Sending Pokémon from HOME doesn’t automatically place them into your Champions boxes. You must visit a specific menu in Champions to finalize the arrival.

Navigating to the Recruit Menu

1. Launch Pokémon Champions on your chosen platform.
2. Sign in with the same Nintendo Account used in HOME.
3. From the main menu, locate and select Recruit (often represented by an icon related to team building or a ranch).
4. Within the Recruit menu, look for an option labeled something like Collect from Pokémon HOME.
5. Select this option to have Champions check for visiting Pokémon.

Completing the Collection

After Champions has checked Pokémon HOME:

• You should see a list of Pokémon currently visiting from HOME.
• Select each Pokémon you want to receive into Champions.
• Confirm the collection. The game may show a summary of how stats or move properties will work in Champions’ battle system.
• Once accepted, those Pokémon appear in your Champions storage and can be assigned to teams.

Only after this collection step are your visitors truly usable in Pokémon Champions battles.²

Step 4: Sending Visiting Pokémon Back to Pokémon HOME

Pokémon that originally came from HOME can be sent back as long as they remain visitors and meet certain conditions. Champions uses a system where your past partners can temporarily visit, gain training, and then return to HOME with some of their progress retained.³

When You Might Want to Send Pokémon Back

• Your Champions boxes are almost full and you want to make space for new recruits.
• You prefer to keep a particular Pokémon stored in HOME for other games.
• You have finished training or testing a Pokémon in Champions and want it safely back in your HOME collection.

Returning Visitors From Champions

1. Open Pokémon Champions and go to the Recruit or box management menus.
2. Look for an option resembling Send to Pokémon HOME or Return visiting Pokémon.
3. Select a Pokémon that originally came from HOME. The game will show that it is a visitor.
4. Confirm that you want to send it back. A summary may appear outlining any training that will be retained.
5. Approve the transfer. Champions will send the Pokémon back to HOME.
6. Open Pokémon HOME and verify that the Pokémon now appears in one of your HOME boxes.

Note that Pokémon obtained directly in Champions cannot be transferred out to HOME; only those that visited from HOME are eligible to return.⁵

Important Limitations and Rules

Understanding transfer rules helps you avoid unexpected outcomes or blocked moves. While Champions is designed for flexibility, not every scenario is supported.

One-Way vs. Two-Way Movement

Party vs. Box Storage in Source Games

When moving Pokémon from a main series Switch title into HOME (prior to sending them to Champions), the Pokémon usually must be in a box, not your active party. Most official transfer guides specify this requirement to prevent issues while a game is running.⁴

Species and Form Compatibility

• If Champions does not include a particular species or form, you cannot send that Pokémon from HOME.
• Form changes in Champions may affect whether training carries over the next time that Pokémon visits.³
• Legendary, Mythical, or special-form Pokémon may have transfer restrictions depending on game rules.

Resolving Common Problems

Even if you follow the basic steps, you might encounter errors. Most issues fall into a few recognizable categories with straightforward fixes.

Pokémon Don’t Appear in Champions After Sending From HOME

Check the following:

• Recruit Collection: Did you actually visit the Recruit → Collect from Pokémon HOME menu in Champions and confirm the collection?
• Correct Account: Ensure HOME and Champions are both using the same Nintendo Account.
• Transfer Completed: Double-check in HOME that the send process fully completed and the Pokémon are marked as visiting Champions.

Account Mismatch Warnings

If the link screen shows the wrong Nintendo Account:

• Sign out of HOME and Champions if possible and sign back in using the correct account.
• Verify that your Switch user profile is linked to the intended Nintendo Account.
• Avoid relinking accounts repeatedly during an active transfer to prevent incomplete visits.

Incompatible Pokémon Icons

When a Pokémon is marked as incompatible in HOME for Champions:

• There is no safe workaround; the Pokémon must remain in HOME or be used in other compatible games.
• Check official Champions and HOME notes periodically for updated compatibility lists, as supported species may expand over time.¹⁶

Best Practices for Safe Transfers

Because your Pokémon collection often represents hours of play, treating transfers carefully is worth the extra time.

Backup and Documentation Habits

• Keep Notes: For high-value Pokémon, note where they currently reside (HOME, Champions, or another game).
• Avoid Interruptions: Don’t put your console into sleep mode or cut the internet connection mid-transfer.
• Update Regularly: Install patches for Pokémon HOME, Pokémon Champions, and system firmware to benefit from stability fixes.

Strategic Use of HOME and Champions

Think of Pokémon HOME as your long-term archive and Champions as a specialized battle arena:

• Use HOME as the permanent vault for rare or sentimental Pokémon.
• Send selected Pokémon to Champions to test them in that game’s metagame or to enjoy its specific battle format.
• Return visitors to HOME when you are done, or leave them in Champions if you mostly play there.

Quick FAQ

Can every Pokémon in HOME be sent to Pokémon Champions?

No. Only Pokémon that exist in Pokémon Champions’ supported roster can visit. Incompatible species are marked inside HOME and cannot be selected for transfer.⁵

Do I need a paid Pokémon HOME plan to use Champions?

Pokémon HOME offers both free and paid plans. While the free plan has storage limits, basic connectivity with supported games, including Champions, is available without a paid subscription according to Nintendo’s service description.¹ However, larger collections or advanced features may require a premium plan.

Can I send a Pokémon caught in Champions to other games through HOME?

No. Pokémon that originate in Champions are currently not transferable to Pokémon HOME. Only Pokémon that came from HOME as visitors can go back.⁵

Is there a cost in in-game currency to send or receive Pokémon?

Official materials emphasize that linking Champions with HOME is part of the core service; there is no in-game battle point fee mentioned for sending or receiving visiting Pokémon.⁵ Always check the latest in-game notices for any changes.

Will training done in Champions carry over when a Pokémon returns?

Yes, but with conditions. Official communication around Champions notes that training performed while a Pokémon is visiting may be saved and recognized if that same Pokémon visits again in the same form.³ Details can vary by stat or mechanic, so review in-game summaries when sending Pokémon back.

Summary

Linking Pokémon Champions with Pokémon HOME gives you a flexible way to reuse your favorite partners in a new battle setting while keeping HOME as a long-term storage hub. By confirming your Nintendo Account alignment, selecting compatible species in HOME, collecting visitors via the Recruit menu in Champions, and sending them back when you are done, you can move Pokémon safely and confidently. Respecting compatibility limits and following best practices during transfers helps protect the time and effort invested in your collection.