Pokémon Go buddy guide: Why can’t I get a buddy?
To choose a Pokémon Go buddy you need to be running the latest version of the app. On Android that’s 0.37, and on iOS 1.7. Note that if you initially installed Pokémon Go via the APK file rather than the official App Store you will need to ensure you are now running the official version – go to the app store and tap Update, or uninstall your current version of the app and then reinstall it from the app store.
Pokémon Go buddy guide: How to choose a buddy
Tap on your Trainer avatar at the bottom left corner of the screen, then tap the three lines icon and choose buddy. Select a Pokémon from your inventory.
Pokémon Go buddy guide: How to walk with a buddy
We should point out that contrary to rumours in the current version a Pokémon will not actually walk with you on the map, they will merely appear beside your Trainer avatar at the bottom left corner of the screen. When you tap on that icon smaller Pokémon such as Weedles and Pidgeys will be seen to sit on your shoulder, while larger Pokémon will stand beside you.
Pokémon Go buddy guide: How to sit Pikachu on my shoulder
We’ve not yet walked far enough with a Pikachu buddy to prove this, but Trainers are suggesting that once you have walked 10km with Pikachu it will sit on your shoulder rather than walking beside you. Also see: Best Pokémon Go tips and tricks
Pokémon Go buddy guide: How to change buddy
Tap on your Trainer avatar at the bottom left corner of the screen, then either tap the three lines icon and choose buddy or tap the large picture of you with your buddy. On the next screen tap the switching arrows icon.
If you switch a buddy without walking the full distance required to acquire a candy of that type you will lose any progress made with that buddy. Pokémon Go will pop up a warning asking if you’re sure, so either hit Yes or Cancel if you want to wait until you’ve earned that candy.
If you hit Yes you can then choose another Pokémon to walk with you.
Pokémon Go buddy guide: How many Pokémon Go buddies can I have?
You canhave only one Pokémon Go buddy at a time, but you can switch buddies as many times as you like. Be warned though, as we’ve mentioned above, you will lose any walking progress made with one buddy if you switch it before it has met its target.
You might also like: How to play Pokémon Go on a rooted phone
Pokémon Go buddy guide: How much candy do I get from Pokémon buddy?
For each Pokémon buddy you earn a single candy of their type by walking a given distance. How far you have to walk depends on the Pokémon and we have listed the various types and distances below. All are either 1km, 3km or 5km for a single candy, which means even though you’ll find it easier to evolve Pokémon without having to catch or hatch them first, it won’t make the game significantly easier.
Pokémon Go buddy guide: Walking distances for Pokémon Go buddies
Bulbasaur: 3km for one candy
Ivysaur: 3km for one candy
Venusaur: 3km for one candy
Charmander: 3km for one candy
Charmeleon: 3km for one candy
Charizard: 3km for one candy
Squirtle: 3km for one candy
Wartortle: 3km for one candy
Blastoise: 3km for one candy
Caterpie: 1km for one candy
Metapod: 1km for one candy
Butterfree: 1km for one candy
Weedle: 1km for one candy
Kakuna: 1km for one candy
Beedrill: 1km for one candy
Pidgey: 1km for one candy
Pidgeotto: 1km for one candy
Pidgeot: 1km for one candy
Rattata: 1km for one candy
Raticate: 1km for one candy
Spearow: 1km for one candy
Fearow: 1km for one candy
Ekans: 3km for one candy
Arbok: 3km for one candy
Pikachu: 1km for one candy
Raichu: 1km for one candy
Sandshrew: 3km for one candy
Sandslash: 3km for one candy
Nidoran-F: 3km for one candy
Nidorina: 3km for one candy
Nidoqueen: 3km for one candy
Nidoran-M: 3km for one candy
Nidorino: 3km for one candy
Nidoking: 3km for one candy
Clefairy: 1km for one candy
Clefable: 1km for one candy
Vulpix: 3km for one candy
Ninetales: 3km for one candy
Jigglypuff: 1km for one candy
Wigglytuff: 1km for one candy
Zubat: 1km for one candy
Golbat: 1km for one candy
Oddish: 3km for one candy
Gloom: 3km for one candy
Vileplume: 3km for one candy
Paras: 3km for one candy
Parasect: 3km for one candy
Venonat: 3km for one candy
Venomoth: 3km for one candy
Diglett: 3km for one candy
Dugtrio: 3km for one candy
Meowth: 3km for one candy
Persian: 3km for one candy
Psyduck: 3km for one candy
Golduck: 3km for one candy
Mankey: 3km for one candy
Primeape: 3km for one candy
Growlithe: 3km for one candy
Arcanine: 3km for one candy
Poliwag: 3km for one candy
Poliwhirl: 3km for one candy
Poliwrath: 3km for one candy
Abra: 3km for one candy
Kadabra: 3km for one candy
Alakazam: 3km for one candy
Machop: 3km for one candy
Machoke: 3km for one candy
Machamp: 3km for one candy
Bellsprout: 3km for one candy
Weepinbell: 3km for one candy
Victreebell: 3km for one candy
Tentacool: 3km for one candy
Tentacruel: 3km for one candy
Geodude: 1km for one candy
Graveler: 1km for one candy
Golem: 1km for one candy
Ponyta: 3km for one candy
Rapidash: 3km for one candy
Slowpoke: 3km for one candy
Slowbro: 3km for one candy
Magnemite: 3km for one candy
Magnetron: 3km for one candy
Farfetchd: 3km for one candy
Doduo: 3km for one candy
Dodrio: 3km for one candy
Seel: 3km for one candy
Dewgong: 3km for one candy
Grimer: 3km for one candy
Muk: 3km for one candy
Shellder: 3km for one candy
Cloyster: 3km for one candy
Gastly: 3km for one candy
Haunter: 3km for one candy
Gengar: 3km for one candy
Onix: 5km for one candy
Drowzee: 3km for one candy
Hypno: 3km for one candy
Krabby: 3km for one candy
Kingler: 3km for one candy
Voltorb: 3km for one candy
Electrode: 3km for one candy
Exeggcute: 3km for one candy
Exeggutor: 3km for one candy
Cubone: 3km for one candy
Marowak: 3km for one candy
Hitmonlee: 5km for one candy
Hitmonchan: 5km for one candy
Lickitung: 3km for one candy
Koffing: 3km for one candy
Weezing: 3km for one candy
Rhyhorn: 3km for one candy
Rhydon: 3km for one candy
Chansey: 5km for one candy
Tangela: 3km for one candy
Kangaskhan: 3km for one candy
Horsea: 3km for one candy
Seadra: 3km for one candy
Goldeen: 3km for one candy
Seaking: 3km for one candy
Staryu: 3km for one candy
Starmie: 3km for one candy
Mr Mime: 5km for one candy
Scyther: 5km for one candy
Jynx: 5km for one candy
Electabuzz: 5km for one candy
Magmar: 5km for one candy
Pinsir: 5km for one candy
Tauros: 3km for one candy
Magikarp: 1km for one candy
Gyarados: 1km for one candy
Lapras: 5km for one candy
Ditto: Unknown
Eevee: 5km for one candy
Vaporeon: 5km for one candy
Jolteon: 5km for one candy
Flareon: 5km for one candy
Porygon: 3km for one candy
Omanyte: 5km for one candy
Omasat: 5km for one candy
Kabuto: 5km for one candy
Kabutops: 5km for one candy
Aerodactyl: 5km for one candy
Snorlax: 5km for one candy
Articuno: Unknown
Zapdos: Unknown
Moltres: Unknown
Dratini: 5km for one candy
Dragonair: 5km for one candy
Dragonite: 5km for one candy
Mewtwo: Unknown
151: Mew: Unknown
Read next: Pokémon Go troubleshooting tips and tricks.
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Marie is Editorial Director at Foundry. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our EMEA and LatAm editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
