How Much Stardust to Trade a Shiny/Legendary Pokémon?

If you're wondering how much Stardust to trade a shiny/legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO, then you've come to the right place. Trading rare Pokémon can be exciting—but it comes at a cost. Whether you're swapping with a friend or a new contact, the Stardust requirement varies depending on your friendship level and whether the Pokémon is registered in your Pokédex. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know before you make that special trade. Without dilly-dallying much, let's begin.

Part 1: Can You Trade Shiny/Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Yes, you can trade Shiny and Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO, but there are specific conditions and costs associated with these trades.

To trade with another trainer, you must be at least Level 10 and have added each other as friends in the game. Both trainers need to be within 100 meters of each other to initiate a trade.

Shiny and Legendary Pokémon fall under the category of Special Trades, which have additional stipulations. First of all, trainers can conduct only one Special Trade per day. Second, special Trades require more Stardust than regular trades. The exact amount depends on your friendship level with the other trainer and whether the Pokémon is already registered in the recipient's Pokédex.

Part 2: How Much Stardust to Trade Shiny/Legendary in Pokémon GO?

Trading an unregistered Shiny or Legendary Pokémon can cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust if you're only Good Friends. However, this cost decreases significantly as your friendship level increases. Here's a quick breakdown of Stardust costs:

Friendship Level	Registered Pokémon	Unregistered Pokémon
Good Friends	20,000 Stardust	1,000,000 Stardust
Great Friends	16,000 Stardust	800,000 Stardust
Ultra Friends	1,600 Stardust	80,000 Stardust
Best Friends	800 Stardust	40,000 Stardust

💡 Tip: Increase your friendship level with daily interactions (gifts, battles, raids) to dramatically reduce Stardust costs.

Consequently, how much Stardust to trade shiny/legendary in Pokémon GO? It can be anywhere from 800 to 1,000,000, depending on the circumstances. Plan wisely before making that big trade.

Restrictions:

• Mythical Pokémon: Generally, Mythical Pokémon (like Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi) cannot be traded.
• Pokédex Registration: Trading a Shiny or Legendary Pokémon that the recipient hasn't previously caught will incur higher Stardust costs.

Additional Considerations:

• IV Changes: When you trade a Pokémon, its Individual Values (IVs) are rerolled. This means the Pokémon's stats may change upon trading.
• Candy Bonuses: Trades can yield bonus Candy, especially if the Pokémon was caught far from the location of the trade.

While trading Shiny and Legendary Pokémon is possible in Pokémon GO, it's essential to be aware of the associated costs, restrictions, and potential changes to the Pokémon's attributes. Building a higher friendship level with your trading partner can significantly reduce Stardust costs, making Special Trades more accessible.

Part 3: How to Get More Stardust to Cover Pokémon GO Shiny/Legendary Trade Costs?

Trading Shiny or Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO can cost a huge amount of Stardust, especially if you're not Best Friends with your trading partner. Here are some of the best ways to earn more Stardust quickly and efficiently:

1. Catch More Pokémon

Every catch earns you Stardust:

• Basic Pokémon: 100 Stardust
• Weather-boosted Pokémon: 125 Stardust
• First catch of the day: Bonus Stardust
• 7-day streak: Up to 3,000 Stardust

Use Star Pieces to increase Stardust gains by 50% for 30 minutes.

2. Complete Field Research Tasks

Look for tasks that reward Stardust, such as:

• "Catch 10 Pokémon"
• "Hatch an Egg"
• "Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon"

Some tasks can reward up to 1,000+ Stardust each.

3. Hatch Eggs

Hatching is a reliable way to earn Stardust:

• 2km eggs: ~400–800 Stardust
• 5km eggs: ~800–1,600 Stardust
• 10km eggs: ~1,600–3,200+ Stardust

Again, Star Pieces boost these rewards.

4. Battle in PvP and GO Battle League

You can earn Stardust rewards from PvP battles daily. The higher your rank and win streak, the more you earn.

5. Take Advantage of Events

Special events (like Community Days or Stardust Bonuses) often offer double or triple Stardust for catches or battles. Keep an eye on the in-game News section.

Part 4: How to Get More Stardust without Walking?

Looking to earn more Stardust in Pokémon GO without having to walk around for hours? If you're trying to prep for trades or just want to power up your Pokémon faster, TunesKit Location Changer offers a simple and effective way to spoof your GPS location.

By simulating real-world movement from the comfort of your home, you can catch more Pokémon, visit PokéStops, and complete tasks that reward Stardust—no physical walking required.

Below, I'll walk you through how to use TunesKit to maximize your Stardust gains safely and efficiently.

Step 1 Connect Your Device

Download the software for your Windows or Mac computer. Install and launch the program. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer via USB. Alternatively, you can connect via Bluetooth. Turn on developer mode and click the Start button on the main interface.

Step 2 Choose a Mode to Start

TunesKit offers several modes to simulate movement:

• Jump Teleport: Jump to any location on the map instantly.
• Two-Spot Movement: Set a start and end point to simulate walking.
• Multi-Spot Movement: Create a route with multiple stops to mimic real travel.

You can choose Two-Spot or Multi-Spot Movement to "walk" to PokéStops and gyms—helpful for earning Stardust through catching Pokémon or spinning stops.

Step 3Catch Pokémon and earn Stardust

Enter a fake location in the search box, or click on any location on the map. Once confirmed, click the Start Moving button. TunesKit will automatically start simulating movement in Pokémon GO.

You can use incense or lure modules to attract Pokémon at your fake location, catch Pokémon regularly to earn 100–400 Stardust per catch (more during events or weather boosts), and spin PokéStops and complete Field Research tasks for bonus Stardust.

Part 5: Pokémon GO Trading Cost – FAQs

Conclusion

Trading in Pokémon GO is exciting and full of rewards, but the Stardust cost—especially for Shiny and Legendary Pokémon—can be pretty steep. Luckily, you can reduce these costs by leveling up your Friendship and using smart tools such as TunesKit Location Changer. This location spoofer helps you collect more Stardust without walking, making it easier to prepare for high-value trades.