Pokémon GO has been keeping players busy for years with new features and events. One of the more interesting items you can get in the game is the Coin Bag. This special item lets you find Gimmighoul, a rare Pokémon that’s also part of the main Nintendo Switch games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
During Pokémon GO’s 9th Anniversary, there was even a shiny version of Gimmighoul and a special one carrying a coin. But even outside events, the Coin Bag is your main way to catch Gimmighoul and eventually evolve it into Gholdengo.
If you’ve been wondering how to get the Coin Bag and how it works, here’s everything you need to know.
What the Coin Bag Does
Think of the Coin Bag like an Incense in Pokémon GO, but instead of random Pokémon, it spawns Roaming Form Gimmighoul around you. Once you open it, Gimmighoul will start popping up on your map for 30 minutes. On average, you’ll see one about every 1.5 minutes.
Fans who enjoy special features and Pokémon hunts might also want to check out this Registeel Raid Guide for Pokémon GO for another challenging encounter.
Sometimes during special events, the Coin Bag might last longer than usual. But once the 30 minutes are over, you’ll have to wait until the next day to use it again. The game resets your chance to use the Coin Bag each day at midnight.
The Coin Bag isn’t just about catching a cool Pokémon. It’s also the only way to start collecting Gimmighoul Coins, which you’ll need if you want to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo. It’s all tied together to keep players engaged with both Pokémon GO and the Nintendo Switch games.
How to Get the Coin Bag
Here’s the important thing: you can’t just buy the Coin Bag in the shop. You have to link Pokémon GO to Pokémon Scarlet or Violet on a Nintendo Switch. If you don’t have these games, you can still try linking to a friend’s Switch instead.
Here’s how to do it step by step.
Linking Pokémon GO to the Nintendo Switch
- Open Pokémon GO on your phone and tap your avatar to go to your profile.
- Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap “Connected Devices and Services.”
- Tap “Nintendo Switch” and then “Connect to Nintendo Switch.”
Next, switch over to your Nintendo Switch:
- Open Pokémon Scarlet or Violet.
- Go to the Poké Portal in the main menu.
- Pick the “Mystery Gift” option.
- Choose “Connect with Pokémon GO” and then “Pair with Pokémon GO account.”
Both your phone and your Switch will start searching for each other. Once they connect, confirm the pairing on both devices. If it’s not working, try restarting your devices, turning Bluetooth off and back on, or making sure no other Pokémon GO accessories are connected, like Pokémon GO Plus.
Sending a Postcard
Pairing the devices is just the first step. You also need to send a Postcard from Pokémon GO to the Nintendo Switch. Here’s how:
- In Pokémon GO, open your Postcard Book.
- Pick any Postcard you’ve saved.
- Tap the three lines or the “Send to Nintendo Switch” option.
- Follow the on-screen steps to finish sending it.
After sending the Postcard, your Switch will confirm that it arrived. This is what unlocks the Coin Bag in your Pokémon GO inventory.
There are a few rules to remember:
- You can only send one Postcard per day.
- Each Postcard can only be sent once to the Switch.
- The game resets your chance to send a Postcard each day at midnight.
So, if you want to keep using the Coin Bag, you’ll need to keep sending new Postcards daily.
How to Use the Coin Bag
Once you’ve got the Coin Bag, using it is easy. Just open your Bag, find the Coin Bag in your items, and tap “Use.” For the next 30 minutes, Gimmighoul will show up around you, similar to how Pokémon appear when using Incense.
When the timer runs out, you’ll need to wait until the next day to use it again. This helps stretch out how long it takes to collect enough Gimmighoul Coins to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo.
Getting Gimmighoul Coins and Evolving Gimmighoul
The big goal with catching Gimmighoul is evolving it into Gholdengo. But it’s not as simple as just catching a few Pokémon. You’ll need 999 Gimmighoul Coins to evolve it. Here’s how to collect them:
- Catching Gimmighoul while using the Coin Bag
- Spinning Golden PokéStops, which appear when you use a Golden Lure Module
- Walking with Gimmighoul as your Buddy, though this method gives coins only sometimes
Pro Tip: Any special event Gimmighoul, like the one with a unique background or the shiny from the anniversary event, can’t evolve, even if you have the coins.
Golden Lure Modules are unlocked by sending multiple Postcards to Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. Once you have one, you can place it on a PokéStop to turn it gold. Golden PokéStops usually give more items than regular ones, and if you’re lucky, you might even find Roaming Form Gimmighoul there.
If you already have a Golden Lure Module and keep sending Postcards, you might get Gimmighoul Coins instead as a reward.
Don’t Have a Switch? Here’s What You Can Do
If you don’t have Pokémon Scarlet or Violet or a Switch, all is not lost. You can ask a friend who has the game to help you out. If they’re willing, you can link your Pokémon GO account to their Switch and send Postcards to get the Coin Bag. But you’ll have to repeat the process each time you want to use the Coin Bag again.
The Coin Bag is a cool way Pokémon GO connects with the mainline Pokémon games. It’s a fun extra challenge and a clever way to keep players coming back every day.
Keep an eye out for new events, because Niantic sometimes boosts Coin Bag spawns or offers special bonuses to help collect Gimmighoul Coins faster. If you’re aiming to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, it’s worth sticking with it. Good luck on your hunt!
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