Pokémon Go first launched in 2016, but plenty of people have never tried the hit mobile game or played for a while and then lost interest. If anyone you know falls into those camps, Niantic wants to help you get them playing with you. Following a successful beta test in Australia, Niantic launched a new Pokémon Go referral program on March 30 to help trainers team up and share adventures. Here's everything you need to know to start earning rewards together. If you want to be a really great friend, you can even welcome them with one of the best Pokémon Go accessories.
How do you use the Pokémon Go referral program?
Pokémon Go's referral program builds on the social elements that already exist within the game, which let players share friend codes to exchange gifts, trade Pokémon, and team up in raids. To join the Pokémon Go referral program, you'll need to get your referral code by taping Invite on the game's Friends screen. You can share that code with a new player or anyone who hasn't played Pokémon Go in at least 90 days.
That player will need to input your referral code either when they first sign up for the game or later via their Friends screen. The referred player will receive 100 PokéBalls just for using the code, and you'll get 50 Stardust. You'll both then begin receiving rewards as they reach milestones within the game. That provides a nice incentive for you to help them become better trainers!
What rewards do you earn from the Pokémon Go referral program?
As your friend plays Pokémon Go, you'll both earn rewards when they've completed a variety of tasks requiring them to master various aspects of the game. That means you'll have a strong incentive to help them try features like raid battles, fighting Team GO Rocket, and purifying shadow Pokémon.
| Milestone | Referrer Reward | Friend Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Catch 50 Pokémon | Darumaka Encounter | 1 Super Incubator |
| Catch 1,000 Pokémon | 3 Incense | 3 Raid Pass |
| Complete 25 Field Research | 1 Incense | 3 Premium Battle Pass |
| Defeat a Team GO Rocket Leader | 50 Mega Charizard Energy | 50 Mega Charizard Energy |
| Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts | Charizard Encounter | Charizard Encounter |
| Earn 50 Candies Walking with Buddy | 30 Rare Candy | 5 Raid Pass |
| Evolve 100 Pokémon | 1 Super Incubator | TBD Encounter |
| Give Your Buddy 50 Treats | Gible Encounter | 5 Rare Candy |
| Hatch 3 Eggs | Galarian Farfetch'd Encounter | 1 Rare Candy |
| Hatch 20 Eggs | Deino Encounter | Chansey Encounter |
| Make 2 New Friends | 10 Pikachu Stickers | 10 Pikachu Stickers |
| Make 100 Nice Throws | 2 Super Incubator | Snorlax Encounter |
| Purify 20 Shadow Pokémon | 10 Rare Candy | 5 Premium Battle Pass |
| Reach Great Buddy with a Pokémon | Gible Encounter | 5 Rare Candy |
| Reach Ultra Buddy with a Pokémon | 5 Super Incubator | 3 Super Incubator |
| Trade 5 Pokémon | 10 Pidgey Stickers | 10 Pidgey Stickers |
| Visit PokéStop 30 days in a Row | TBD Encounter | TBD Encounter |
| Win a Raid | Bagon Encounter | 1 Raid Pass |
| Win 3 Raids | 1 Raid Pass | Lapras Encounter |
| Win 20 Raids | 5 Super Incubator | 3 Super Incubator |
Questions about the Pokémon Go referral program?
Do you have any questions about the Pokémon Go referral program or any other aspects of Pokémon Go? Any tips to help new and returning trainers? Let us know in the comments section, and keep checking back for all the latest Pokémon Go news and guides.
