What are the odds of finding a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go?
Currently, most estimate Shiny encounters outside of events at 1/400, but during events (in particular Community Day) the chances are much higher, sometimes even as high as 1/20. Even outside of events, however, this is a dramatic increase from the 1/4096 base rate in core games, or 1/512 using both the Masuda Method and a Shiny Charm.
That having been said, It's still random, so you can get a Shiny right away, or it might take you two or even three times as long as someone else. Your best bet to finding Shiny Pokémon is to tap on every single Pokémon that spawns.
Can you hatch Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go?
Yes and there is even some evidence to support that baby Pokémon have a higher chance of being Shiny than other hatched Pokémon.
Do Shiny Pokémon show up on Nearby or Sightings in Pokémon Go?
No. While all Pokémon show up on Nearby or Sightings, they look normal just like they look on the map.
It's only revealed as a Shiny when you tap on it and go to the catch screen. So, if you see a normal Magikarp or Pikachu on Nearby or Sightings, don't discount it — once you tap on it, it could be a Shiny. And that list of possible Shiny Pokémon gets longer all the time, so make sure to Shiny check them all!
Are Shiny Pokémon Shiny for everyone in Pokémon Go?
No. With Ditto, once a Pokémon is determined to be Ditto, the servers make it Ditto for everyone. With Shiny Pokémon, it's done on a player-by-player basis.
That means you and a friend can both catch the same Magikarp, yours could turn out to be Shiny, and theirs not.
There has been one exception so far: For the July 2018 Community Day, Pokémon Go had Sunglasses Squirtle available through Field Research and, tasks that had a Shiny Sunglasses Squritle were Shiny for everyone!
Can you show off Shiny Pokémon in Gyms in Pokémon Go?
You can, but with two caveats:
- Shiny Legendaries still can't go in Gyms.
- Shiny versions don't count as different Pokémon, so if there's already a regular version in the Gym, you can't add your Shiny version.
Do Shiny Pokémon show up in the Pokédex in Pokémon Go?
They do. Although they are not separate entries, you can access the Shiny variants on the main entries just like gender vaniants. To see the Shiny variants, follow these easy step:
- Tap the Menu button (looks like a Poké Ball), button right.
- Tap Pokédex, top middle.
- Tap on the Pokémon you want to check. (Only Magikarp and Gyarados for now.)
- Look for the Shiny badge.
Of course, the Shiny badge will only show up once you've caught a Shiny version of that Pokémon. Alternatively, if the Shiny Variant is the only one you've caught, you won't be able to see the standard forme in your Pokédex.
Do Shiny Pokémon perform differently in Pokémon Go?
Nope. Shiny Pokémon have the same stats (IV) as non-Shiny variants. Which is to say, a range. You can catch a perfect Shiny Magikarp, but you can also catch a not-so-great one. They also have no special movesets or powers of any kind. Aside from looking different, they're exactly the same.
However, Community Day is the easiest time to catch Shiny Pokémon. If evolved during the event window, Shiny Pokémon will get the exclusive move just like the normal featured Pokémon, so a lot of Shiny Pokémon do have that exclusive move.
If you evolve Shiny Pokémon do you get its Shiny evolution in Pokémon Go?
Yes. Shiny status, just like IVs, stays with a Pokémon during evolution. If you get a Shiny Magikarp and decide to hit the Evolution button, you'll end up with a Shiny Gyarados. In fact, with very limited exceptions, this is the only way to get a Shiny evolved Pokémon.
If you catch a shiny Pokémon, can it turn into a Shiny Ditto in Pokémon Go?
No. Magikarp was removed from the Ditto potentials shortly after Shiny Magikarp became available, and the same has held true for other common Pokémon since. However, on February 20, 2021, the Pokémon Go Tour: Kanto event will unlock the remaining Gen 1 Shiny Pokémon, including Ditto. It is unclear if this means that Pokémon with the potential to be Shiny will be able to be Ditto or if Niantic will handle Shiny Ditto differently than other Shiny Pokémon.
Can your transfer Shiny Pokémon back to the professor in Pokémon Go?
You can transfer Shiny Pokémon, but the game will give you a warning in much the same way as event Pokémon.
When are more Shiny Pokémon coming to Pokémon Go?
New Shiny Pokémon are released during most events and Community Days. Sometimes, they are also introduced with updates. You can count on at least one evolutionary family being added to the Shiny pool each month.
OK, fine, just tell me how to catch 'em all!
First, you have to find as many Pokémon as you can. That means finding spawns or nests where those types of Pokémon are common. Then tap, tap, tap away and see if you encounter a Shiny.
For eggs and babies, collect as many as you can. Walk as much as you can. And hatch, hatch, hatch.
For the raid Pokémon, the story is the same. Find the raids. Beat the raid boss. Hope the one you get is Shiny.
Field Research. Find the tasks that give you a Pokémon with a Shiny form, then work with your community to find the PokéStops giving away the right tasks, and then complete as many as you can.
Shiny Field Research Pokémon have a 0% flee rate, but for everything else, remember your basics:
- ABC. Always be curving. Once you can nail Curve Ball every time, you'll get a 1.7x bonus every time.
- Max out your medals. Some are easier to get than others but they consume no resources like Great or Ultra Balls or Razz Berries, so once you get them, that 1.1x to 1.3x is automatically applied each time.
- Consistency counts. Aim for the smallest target you can nail every time. If that's Nice, it's nice. If that's Great or Excellent, even nicer. But better the bonus you get then one you miss, and that extra 1.3 to 2x also doesn't consume resources and can make a difference.
- Razz for real. Use Razz Berries when you need to. Unlike Great or Ultra Balls, you can't miss with a Razz Berry and its 1.5x bonus will last until you hit. For the new Golden Razz Berries, it's 2.5x!
- Bump them Balls. Use Great and Ultra Balls to maximize your odds. You get an extra 1.5x for a Great Ball and 2x for an Ultra Ball so use them to get those super rare or hard to catch Pokémon.
For a complete explanation and many more details:
How to catch rare Pokémon in Pokémon Go
Catch all those Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go!
Hopefully now you know everything you need to know to catch tons of Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go. And be sure to check out our other Pokémon Go guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!
