Trading is at the heart of every Pokémon card game, and Pokémon TCG Pocket keeps that tradition alive with its own digital twist. Whether you’re trying to complete your Dex, build a stronger deck, or just swap duplicates with friends, understanding how the Pocket trading system works can save you time and Shinedust.
How to Trade Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket
To start trading, open the Social Hub — the middle icon at the bottom of your game screen — and tap the Trade button. This will take you to the trading menu, where you can connect with friends and initiate offers.
Here’s how to complete your first trade:
- Go to the Social Hub → tap Trade.
- Select a Friend from your list (you can only trade with friends).
- Choose a Card from your collection. Cards that can’t be traded will appear with a red stop sign.
- Confirm the Trade Offer after checking your Trade Stamina and Shinedust costs.
- Wait for Your Friend’s Response. They’ll have two days to accept or counter with a card of the same rarity.
- If they agree, both players swipe to confirm and exchange cards.
You can check the status of your trade anytime under Trade → View, where you can also terminate an active trade if needed.
Key Trading Rules and Restrictions
Trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket isn’t freeform — it’s built around a set of balanced rules designed to protect players and ensure fairness.
1. You Can Only Trade With Friends
Random matchmaking or open-market trading isn’t available. You must add someone as a friend before you can exchange cards.
2. One Trade at a Time
Only one trade can be active per player. You’ll need to complete or cancel your current trade before starting another.
3. Cards Must Match in Rarity
You can only trade cards of the same rarity. For example, a 2-Diamond card can only be traded for another 2-Diamond card, and a 1-Star EX Pokémon must be matched with another 1-Star card.
4. Trade Stamina Required
Every trade consumes Trade Stamina, which replenishes over time — about one block every 12 to 24 hours, depending on your region and updates. Players can also use Trade Hourglasses to speed up recovery.
5. Shinedust as Trading Currency
Introduced in the July 2025 update, Shinedust replaced Trade Tokens as the official currency for higher-rarity exchanges (3-Diamond and above). The amount required scales with rarity — rarer cards cost more Shinedust for both players involved.
6. Flair Restrictions
Cards with Flairs (visual effects or enhancements) can only be traded for other cards with Flairs of the same rarity. The system ensures the cosmetic value isn’t lost in trade.
Tradeable vs. Non-Tradeable Card Rarities
Here’s a quick overview of which cards can currently be traded:
| Rarity | Trade Eligibility | Shinedust Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1◇ – 2◇ | Tradeable | Free |
| 3◇ | Tradeable | 1,200 Shinedust |
| 4◇ | Tradeable | 5,000 Shinedust |
| 1★ | Tradeable | 4,000 Shinedust |
| 2★, 3★, Crown | Not Tradeable | — |
| Shiny 1★–2★ (Upcoming Update) | Soon Tradeable | TBD |
Promo cards and event-exclusive cards are currently excluded from trading, though the developers have confirmed plans to expand this list with future updates.
The Trading Wishlist System
One of the best quality-of-life updates is the Trading Wishlist, designed to make finding trade partners easier.
- You can add up to 20 cards to your wishlist via My Cards → Wishlist Button.
- Up to 3 wishlist cards appear on your public profile and trading screen.
- Friends can see these cards and make targeted offers, cutting down on guesswork.
If you’ve added cards before the July update, you’ll need to re-add them since older lists were reset.
The Share Feature — A New Way to Gift Cards
The October 2025 Anniversary Update introduced the Share Feature, a friendlier way to give cards without formal trading.
- Located next to the Trade option in the Social Hub.
- Lets you send 1–4 Diamond rarity cards as a gift.
- You can share one card per friend per day, and the recipient chooses one to receive.
- Think of it as a “gift exchange” rather than a trade — perfect for helping friends fill collection gaps.
This new feature adds flexibility, letting players share extra cards while keeping traditional trading for balanced exchanges.
How Trade Stamina and Shinedust Work Together
Trade Stamina acts as your trading limit, while Shinedust is the premium cost for rare trades.
You can check both at the top of your Trade screen:
- Trade Stamina refills automatically over time.
- Shinedust is earned by pulling duplicate cards or exchanging leftover Trade Tokens at the shop.
Tip: Save your Shinedust for high-value trades, especially for EX or 4-Diamond rarity cards, since costs can climb steeply.
Cancelling and Managing Trades
- You can terminate any pending trade at any time before the other player accepts.
- If you cancel a trade, your cards, items, and stamina are fully restored.
- A trade expires automatically after two days, returning all resources to both parties.
You can review your trade history (up to 30 trades in the last 90 days) via Social Hub → Trade → History.
Upcoming Expansions and Trade Improvements
As of the Secluded Springs (A4a) update, all cards from early sets up to this expansion are tradeable. The developers have confirmed that trading will continue to expand with future booster packs, including Wisdom of Sea and Sky and beyond.
Future updates also promise:
- Expanded Shiny and Star-tier trades.
- Automatic Flair unlocking without spending Shinedust.
- Improved Wonder Pick odds favoring cards you don’t yet own.
With these improvements, trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket is evolving into a more player-friendly system that encourages both collectors and battlers alike.
See also: Pokémon TCG Not Scanning Cards? 7 Fixes to Redeem Codes Instantly
The Pokémon TCG Pocket trading system has come a long way — from rigid Trade Token exchanges to a streamlined Shinedust-based economy with social wishlist and sharing tools. While there are still limitations, these changes make it easier than ever to collaborate with friends, swap cards of equal value, and grow your collection strategically.
So, build your wishlist, save your Shinedust, and start trading smart — because in Pokémon TCG Pocket, every swap could bring you one step closer to your ultimate deck.
