Time to upgrade! Get an iPhone 12 mini + Unlimited Data for $60/mo

  • Forums
  • Shop
  • CES 2021
  • iPhone 12
  • Best VPN
  • iOS 14
  • Nintendo Switch
  • AirPods Pro

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Uh oh

Hacked Pokémon are crashing Sword and Shield games over Surprise Trade

Take a break from Surprise Trade for a bit while Game Freak hopefully sorts this out.
Jennifer Locke
13 Feb 2020

Max Raid SneaselSource: Game Freak

What you need to know

  • Pokémon HOME just launched, giving players a way to transfer more Pokémon to Sword and Shield.
  • People have already hacked Max Raid battles.
  • Players are now reporting that hacked Pokémon being sent over Surprise Trade are crashing their games.

You might want to put a pause on your surprise trades in Pokémon Sword and Shield for a little while. Players are reporting that hacked Pokémon being randomly sent over via the service are crashing their games. This bug appears to be rare, but it's unclear just how many people have been affected.

A Twitter user known as Kaphotics first made the public aware of this bug, according to Eurogamer, which was discovered and verified by Twitter users architdate and Sibuna_Switch.

Beware! There's a bug in Sword/Shield that can crash your game if you receive a maliciously crafted Pokémon via Surprise Trade. It'll crash your game when you try to access online features (via Y-COM), preventing online interactions until a patch is released.

— Kurt (@Kaphotics) February 12, 2020

These hacked Pokémon are created with tools from hacking and modding programs, with people making them deliberately to crash games and then sending them out into the wild over Surprise Trade. Pokémon caught through legitimate methods and traded should not trigger this bug, meaning Pokémon coming from Pokémon HOME are safe for now, so long as they were not illegitimately created to begin with.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

Apparently your save data will not be corrupted, but the moment you attempt to receive the "maliciously crafted" Pokémon, your game will crash. Players affected by this bug were unable to launch any online features. It also happens during a normal trade, but your game will only crash once, after which you can release the Pokémon.

You may have also noticed illegitimate Pokémon popping up in Max Raid battles. These are also hacked by modders, though it is unclear whether or not they will crash your game. To stay on the safe side, don't enter a raid with a hacked Pokémon. We have a list of every legitimate Wild Area den and the Pokémon that spawns from them.

Nintendo has yet to comment on the issue.

Nintendo cash

$20 Nintendo Switch Currency Card

Money for video games

Give a Nintendo gift card to a friend or have one on hand for yourself so you can always have money to purchase video games from the Nintendo eShop.

  • $20 at Amazon

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Main

  • How to catch and evolve Eevee
  • How to catch shiny Pokémon
  • Differences between Sword and Shield
  • All version exclusive Pokémon
  • Can you use Pokémon Bank with Sword and Shield?
  • How to evolve Toxel
  • How to catch Noibat
  • How to catch Galarian Ponyta
  • How to evolve Milcery into Alcremie

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

iOS 15 will reportedly ditch the original iPhone SE and iPhone 6S
Dead and buried

iOS 15 will reportedly ditch the original iPhone SE and iPhone 6S

Apple's iOS 15 launch, expected in September, will reportedly kill off a number of iPhones and iPads.

Massive Apple VR leak reveals headset price, release window
big leaks

Massive Apple VR leak reveals headset price, release window

A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple's first VR headset will cost well over $900 and have a chip faster than the M1 Mac.

Morgan Stanley raises Apple target share price, expects earnings record
AAPL

Morgan Stanley raises Apple target share price, expects earnings record

Morgan Stanley has raised its target price for Apple stock ahead of what it expects to be an "all-time record" in quarterly earnings.

Set off on a new adventure after playing Pokémon Sword or Shield
Fresh catch

Set off on a new adventure after playing Pokémon Sword or Shield

If you've already caught everything in Pokémon Sword or Shield and are looking for something similar, there are plenty of options! Here are some additional genres of Switch games for lighthearted fun.

Keep in Touch

Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from iMore!

I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I would like to receive mail from Future partners.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

  • News
  • Pokemon Sword & Shield
  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • Apple Watch
  • Apple TV
  • Mac
  • Reviews
  • How To
  • HomeKit
  • Forums

Other Categories

  • About Us
  • Newsletter
  • Fitness
  • Apps
  • Gaming
  • Deals
  • Advertising Inquiries
  • Licensing and Reprints
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Android Central
  • Windows Central
  • CrackBerry
  • Thrifter
  • TechnoBuffalo
  • MrMobile
Log in or Sign up
  • t
  • f
  • y
  • i
  • r

Brightness

  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement