If you‘re a longtime Pokémon trainer, you likely have treasured Pokémon from older games that you want to be able to bring with you on new adventures. The Poké Transporter app makes this possible by enabling you to transfer Pokémon from Generation V games released for the Nintendo DS into the more recent Generation VI and VII titles.
With the upcoming closure of the Nintendo 3DS eShop on March 27, 2023, you may be wondering if you can still get the Poké Transporter for free. The good news is – yes, you can!
In this in-depth guide, I‘ll clearly explain multiple methods for getting the Poké Transporter app without paying anything. I‘ve played Pokémon games for over 15 years, so I want to share my insider knowledge to help fellow trainers.
Let‘s start at the beginning – what exactly is the Poké Transporter and why is it so valuable for transferring Pokémon between generations of games?
What is Poké Transporter and Why Does it Matter?
The Poké Transporter, also known by its Japanese name Pokémon Mover, is an application developed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. It was originally released in December 2013 alongside the Pokémon Bank cloud service.
Here are the key facts you need to know about Transporter:
Enables transfer of Pokémon from Generation V games released for Nintendo DS (Black, White, Black 2, White 2) forward to Generation VI and VII games released for Nintendo 3DS.
Transfers up to 6 Pokémon at one time.
Accessible by downloading through Pokémon Bank app once you have that installed.
Completely necessary for moving Pokémon from Gen V into current Gen VI/VII games and future titles.
Without using Transporter, there is no way to transfer Pokémon like Victini, Cobalion, Reshiram, and Zekrom from those older Generation V games.
As a longtime Pokémon player, having Transporter is incredibly important to me for these reasons:
Allows completing a National Pokédex across generations.
Lets me transfer special event Pokémon like Ash‘s Pikachu.
Keeps sentimental Pokémon from my early Pokémon adventures.
Makes strong competitive Pokémon available to use in online battles and tournaments.
So being able to download this app for free is practically essential for diehard Pokémon masters. Now let‘s get into exactly how to get Transporter without paying anything.
Downloading Poké Transporter for Free Before March 27, 2023
Up until March 27, 2023, you can download the Poké Transporter 100% free by getting the paid version of Pokémon Bank from the 3DS eShop.
Here are the detailed steps:
Go to the Nintendo eShop on your 3DS system. You‘ll need to have funds added to your Nintendo account wallet ahead of time, as you must pay the $4.99 annual fee for Pokémon Bank.
Search for Pokémon Bank and select the app. Purchase a pass and complete the transaction.
Once Pokémon Bank finishes downloading, open up the app.
On the main menu, you should see the option to "Download Poké Transporter." Select this.
You‘ll either get a notification Transporter is already downloaded, or be taken to the eShop page to download it. Either way, Transporter will now be available directly within Pokémon Bank.
By downloading Transporter through the paid version of Pokémon Bank before March 27, 2023, you will have permanent free access to the app even after the eShop closure. It‘s well worth the one-time $4.99 fee to be able to transfer Pokémon indefinitely!
Getting Poké Transporter for Free After March 27, 2023
Once the 3DS eShop closes on March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank will become a permanently free service. Here are the steps for getting Transporter at no cost after that date:
Go to the 3DS home menu and find the Pokémon Bank icon. If you don‘t have Bank already, search for it on the eShop while you still can and download the free version.
Open Pokémon Bank and select the option to download Poké Transporter.
Complete the Transporter download process. The app will now be accessible directly within Pokémon Bank at no charge.
As long as you download Pokémon Bank itself before the eShop discontinues operation, you‘ll have free lifetime access to Poké Transporter through the Bank app!
Critical Dates to Know
Let‘s quickly recap the key dates:
March 27, 2023 – The 3DS eShop will close down. You must download Pokémon Bank before this date to get Transporter in the future.
March 27, 2023 – Pokémon Bank transitions to a permanently free app. You can then download Transporter at no cost.
Mark your calendars and make it a priority to download Pokémon Bank ahead of the eShop closure on March 27, 2023! This will guarantee your ability to get Transporter whenever you need it.
Transferring Without Poké Transporter – Alternate Options
I definitely recommend getting Transporter itself for the smoothest transferring experience. However, if you miss the deadline for downloading it from the eShop, all is not lost!
Here are a couple alternative options for moving Pokémon from Gen V games:
Use Pokémon Home – The free Basic plan on Pokémon Home allows you to transfer from the Gen V games using its built-in Transporter feature. It takes a few extra steps, but works.
Local Wireless Trade – Set up a trade between your Gen V game and a Gen VI/VII game locally using two 3DS systems next to each other. Then you can bank transfer as normal.
These backup methods require some extra steps compared to the traditional Transporter. But they get the job done if you have no other choice!
Answers to Common Poké Transporter Questions
Here are direct answers to some frequently asked questions about getting Transporter for free:
Does Pokémon Bank include Poké Transporter?
Yes! Transporter comes bundled with Pokémon Bank, so you can download it directly within the Bank app once you have that installed.
Can you get Transporter as a standalone app?
No, the only way to access Transporter is through Pokémon Bank. You can‘t download it separately.
What happens if Pokémon Bank membership expires?
Now that Bank is permanently free, your access to Transporter will never expire! Your Pokémon are safe.
Does Pokémon HOME have its own Transporter?
No. But the Gen V transporter feature in HOME provides an alternative transfer method.
Is it possible to trade from Gen V to Bank without Transporter?
Yes, you can trade locally between Gen V and Gen VI/VII games using two 3DS systems, then bank transfer.
Hopefully these FAQs provide helpful clarification on getting Transporter for free!
Don‘t Let Your Pokémon Get Left Behind!
As a fellow Pokémon trainer, I know your Pokémon mean a lot to you. Those Pokémon you‘ve journeyed with for years deserve to keep adventuring at your side!
That‘s why I wanted to provide this in-depth guide on ensuring you can download the Poké Transporter app without paying.
Thanks to Pokémon Bank becoming a permanent free service, retaining access to Transporter is thankfully pretty straightforward. Just make sure to download Bank itself ahead of the eShop closure on March 27, 2023.
I highly recommend handling this before time runs out! It will be a shame if beloved Pokémon get trapped in older Gen V games when they could be exploring new regions with you.
Personally, I can‘t wait to transfer my competitive legendary Pokémon like Thundurus, Landorus and Cresselia into the new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games. The possibilities will be endless with them joining me in the Paldea region!
So take a few minutes this week to secure your ability to download Poké Transporter for free. Your Pokémon are counting on you to keep them along on new adventures! Let me know if you have any other questions.