Pokémon Go: Eevee Evolutions guide

Pokémon Go Eevee and Eeveelutions
(Image credit: Niantic)

Pokémon Go's Eevee Eeevolutions are much like those in the standard games. Giving trainers access to tonnes of special moves and all kinds of Pokémon types, you can make a team that exists of nothing but Eevee and viably take down all those pesky Team Rocket grunts — or perhaps even another trainer. 

However, unlike other Pokémon games, there's an essential name trick to get exactly the Eevolution you are looking for. We have found and used every one one of them and they still all work in 2024, eight years after the game's initial release. 

Here's how to get any Eevolution from your Eevee. 

How do you evolve Eevee in Pokémon Go

Pokémon 133 Eevee

(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

When Pokémon Go launched, there were no evolution stones, items from the core games that allow you to evolve certain Pokémon. Eevee's first three evolutions normally require these special items to evolve and each of Eevee's other evolutions require special conditions, such as unique locations or special types of training to evolve, so Niantic has had to get creative.

With each new "Eeveelution", Niantic has added new ways to evolve Eevee. Some require a certain time of day, others require special items, but all of them can be guaranteed for at least one evolution. Be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories so you can stock up on Poké Balls to catch all those Eevee!

The nickname trick to evolve Eevee in Pokémon Go

For Gen I, Pokémon Go leaves Eevee's evolution up to the random number generator. However, the folks over at Niantic did hide a little Easter egg in the game. If you rename an Eevee to these nicknames, each based on a notable NPC's Pokémon from the anime or core games, they'll evolve into exactly the Eeveelution you want, but you can only use each once per account:

  • Rainer for Vaporeon
  • Sparky for Jolteon
  • Pyro for Flareon
  • Sakura for Espeon
  • Tamao for Umbreon
  • Linnea for Leafeon
  • Rea for Glaceon
  • Kira for Sylveon

Remember, this only works once for each nickname. After that, you're back to random chance, special lure modules, or walking with Eevee as your buddy. So, choose wisely. Pick the highest stat (IV) and highest CP Eevee you can for each one, or save your nicknames for Shiny Eevee.

How do you evolve Eevee into Sylveon in Pokémon Go?

Pokémon 700 Sylveon

(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

In May of 2021, Sylveon, Eevee's Fairy type evolution, was the final Eeveelution to be added to Pokémon Go.

In the core games, Sylveon has had two different means of evolution: Affection in the Pokémon X and Y, and Friendship combined with a Fairy type move in Pokémon Sword and Shield. In Pokémon Go, you'll need to use Pokémon Go Buddy Adventure to evolve Sylveon. Trainers must earn a whopping 70 hearts with Eevee as their Buddy Pokémon to evolve a Sylveon!

How do you evolve Eevee into Glaceon or Leafeon in Pokémon Go?

Pokémon 470 Leafeon

(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

If you've already used the nickname trick and want to get another Leafeon or Glaceon, these two Eeveelutions can be controlled in game. If all you do is hit the Evolve button, you can only get a Vaporeon, Flareon, or Jolteon. To get Leafeon or Glaceon, you must first spin a PokéStop equipped with special Lure Modules:

To evolve Eevee into Leafeon:

  1. Make sure you have the 25 Eevee Candy you need for the evolution.
  2. Buy a Mossy Lure Module from the PokéShop for 200 PokéCoins (there are rare opportunities to get these as rewards, but most likely, you will have to buy one - the good news is, it's good for as many Eevee as your or anyone nearby can evolve!)
  3. Use the Mossy Lure Module on a PokéStop.
  4. Spin the PokéStop.
  5. While you are still in range of the PokéStop*, choose the Eevee you want to evolve.
  6. Hit the Evolve button.

To evolve Eevee into Glaceon:

  1. Make sure you have the 25 Eevee Candy you need for the evolution.
  2. Buy a Glacial Lure Module from the PokéShop for 200 PokéCoins (there are rare opportunities to get these as rewards, but most likely, you will have to buy one- the good news is, it's good for as many Eevee as your or anyone nearby can evolve!)
  3. Use the Glacial Lure module on a PokéStop.
  4. Spin the PokéStop.
  5. While you are still in range of the PokéStop*, choose the Eevee you want to evolve.
  6. Hit the Evolve button.

Note: Make sure to stay close to the modded PokéStop and always be sure to check that the icon in the evolve button is the right Pokémon and not a question mark.

How to get Umbreon in Pokémon Go

Pokémon 197 Umbreon

(Image credit: The Pokémon Company)

If you've already used the nickname trick, and want to get another Umbreon or Espeon, these two Eeveelutions can also be controlled in Pokémon Go. If you just hit the Evolve button, you will get either Vaporeon, Flareon, or Jolteon completely at random. To get Umbreon or Espeon, you first need to raise your Buddy Pokémon's Friendship level and then evolve at a certain time:

  1. Make the Eevee you want to evolve your Buddy.
  2. Walk with your Eevee Buddy for at least 10 KM and earn two Eevee candy. (You need to have earned two candy for this to work.)
  3. While that Eevee is still your Buddy, hit the Evolve button during the day to get Espeon, or at night to get Umbreon.

Note: You can swap out Eevee for another Buddy, but you'll have to swap Eevee back to being your Buddy before you try to evolve Umbreon or Espeon.

How do you evolve Eevee into Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon?

Unfortunately, the original three Eeveelutions are still random. Once you've used the nickname trick, you're pretty much stuck to the random number generator. Fortunately, Eevee is very common (in fact, one just spawned in my driveway!) and has been around since day one, so most players have entire teams of Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon, but if you're having trouble getting the one you want, you can always trade with another player.

Go Beyond Level 40 with Eeveelutions

Reaching the top levels in Pokémon Go requires completing Special Level-Up Research, and for level 42, Trainers need to evolve one of each of Eevee's unique evolutions. This task isn't retroactive either, so you will need to evolve all seven again. Luckily, most veteran trainers have tons of Eevee Candy, so even the random chance of Vaporeon, Flareon, and Jolteon shouldn't been too hard on your existing stash of candies.

Make sure to collect every Eeveelution in Pokémon Go

Getting every Eeveelution takes time and a whole lot of Eevee candies, especially if you want Shiny variants too, but now you can evolve every possible Eevee! Be sure to check out the rest of our Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Q&A

How do you evolve Shiny Eeveelutions in Pokémon Go?

Like almost all other Shinies, you can't catch Shiny Eeveelutions, but you can catch plenty of Shiny Eevee. Once you have a Shiny Eevee, you can evolve it into any of the Shiny Eeveelutions. The nickname trick will work if you haven't used it already. Otherwise, you'll need to evolve them just like any other Eevee. The same goes for the flower crown costumed Eevee.

Casian Holly

Casian Holly has been writing about gaming at iMore since 2019, but their real passion is Pokémon. From the games to the anime, cards and toys, they eat, sleep, and breathe all things Pokémon. You can check out their many Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield guides and coverage here on iMore.

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