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Pokémon Go now allows you to walk with a Pokémon of your choice in order to earn extra candy of that type. Here’s how to get a Pokémon Go buddy. Guide to Pokémon Go buddy system. Also see: Complete guide to Pokémon Go | Pokémon Go review | Pokemon GO troubleshooting | How to catch Ditto in Pokemon GO.
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
001. Bulbasaur: 3km for one candy
002. Ivysaur: 3km for one candy
003. Venusaur: 3km for one candy
004. Charmander: 3km for one candy
005. Charmeleon: 3km for one candy
006. Charizard: 3km for one candy
007. Squirtle: 3km for one candy
008. Wartortle: 3km for one candy
009. Blastoise: 3km for one candy
010. Caterpie: 1km for one candy
011. Metapod: 1km for one candy
012. Butterfree: 1km for one candy
013. Weedle: 1km for one candy
014. Kakuna: 1km for one candy
015. Beedrill: 1km for one candy
016. Pidgey: 1km for one candy
017. Pidgeotto: 1km for one candy
018. Pidgeot: 1km for one candy
019. Rattata: 1km for one candy
020. Raticate: 1km for one candy
021. Spearow: 1km for one candy
022. Fearow: 1km for one candy
023. Ekans: 3km for one candy
024. Arbok: 3km for one candy
025. Pikachu: 1km for one candy
026. Raichu: 1km for one candy
027. Sandshrew: 3km for one candy
028. Sandslash: 3km for one candy
029. Nidoran-F: 3km for one candy
030. Nidorina: 3km for one candy
031. Nidoqueen: 3km for one candy
032. Nidoran-M: 3km for one candy
033. Nidorino: 3km for one candy
034. Nidoking: 3km for one candy
035. Clefairy: 1km for one candy
036. Clefable: 1km for one candy
037. Vulpix: 3km for one candy
038. Ninetales: 3km for one candy
039. Jigglypuff: 1km for one candy
040. Wigglytuff: 1km for one candy
041. Zubat: 1km for one candy
042. Golbat: 1km for one candy
043. Oddish: 3km for one candy
044. Gloom: 3km for one candy
045. Vileplume: 3km for one candy
046. Paras: 3km for one candy
047. Parasect: 3km for one candy
048. Venonat: 3km for one candy
049. Venomoth: 3km for one candy
050. Diglett: 3km for one candy
051. Dugtrio: 3km for one candy
052. Meowth: 3km for one candy
053. Persian: 3km for one candy
054. Psyduck: 3km for one candy
055. Golduck: 3km for one candy
056. Mankey: 3km for one candy
057. Primeape: 3km for one candy
058. Growlithe: 3km for one candy
059. Arcanine: 3km for one candy
060. Poliwag: 3km for one candy
061. Poliwhirl: 3km for one candy
062. Poliwrath: 3km for one candy
063. Abra: 3km for one candy
064. Kadabra: 3km for one candy
065. Alakazam: 3km for one candy
066. Machop: 3km for one candy
067. Machoke: 3km for one candy
068. Machamp: 3km for one candy
069. Bellsprout: 3km for one candy
070. Weepinbell: 3km for one candy
071. Victreebell: 3km for one candy
072. Tentacool: 3km for one candy
073. Tentacruel: 3km for one candy
074. Geodude: 1km for one candy
075. Graveler: 1km for one candy
076. Golem: 1km for one candy
077. Ponyta: 3km for one candy
078. Rapidash: 3km for one candy
079. Slowpoke: 3km for one candy
080. Slowbro: 3km for one candy
081. Magnemite: 3km for one candy
082. Magnetron: 3km for one candy
083. Farfetchd: 3km for one candy
084. Doduo: 3km for one candy
085. Dodrio: 3km for one candy
086. Seel: 3km for one candy
087. Dewgong: 3km for one candy
088. Grimer: 3km for one candy
089. Muk: 3km for one candy
090. Shellder: 3km for one candy
091. Cloyster: 3km for one candy
092. Gastly: 3km for one candy
093. Haunter: 3km for one candy
094. Gengar: 3km for one candy
095. Onix: 5km for one candy
096. Drowzee: 3km for one candy
097. Hypno: 3km for one candy
098. Krabby: 3km for one candy
099. Kingler: 3km for one candy
100. Voltorb: 3km for one candy
101. Electrode: 3km for one candy
102. Exeggcute: 3km for one candy
103. Exeggutor: 3km for one candy
104. Cubone: 3km for one candy
105. Marowak: 3km for one candy
106. Hitmonlee: 5km for one candy
107. Hitmonchan: 5km for one candy
108. Lickitung: 3km for one candy
109. Koffing: 3km for one candy
110. Weezing: 3km for one candy
111. Rhyhorn: 3km for one candy
112. Rhydon: 3km for one candy
113. Chansey: 5km for one candy
114. Tangela: 3km for one candy
115. Kangaskhan: 3km for one candy
116. Horsea: 3km for one candy
117. Seadra: 3km for one candy
118. Goldeen: 3km for one candy
119. Seaking: 3km for one candy
120. Staryu: 3km for one candy
121. Starmie: 3km for one candy
122. Mr Mime: 5km for one candy
123. Scyther: 5km for one candy
124. Jynx: 5km for one candy
125. Electabuzz: 5km for one candy
126. Magmar: 5km for one candy
127. Pinsir: 5km for one candy
128. Tauros: 3km for one candy
129. Magikarp: 1km for one candy
130. Gyarados: 1km for one candy
131. Lapras: 5km for one candy
132. Ditto: Unknown
133. Eevee: 5km for one candy
134. Vaporeon: 5km for one candy
135. Jolteon: 5km for one candy
136. Flareon: 5km for one candy
137. Porygon: 3km for one candy
138. Omanyte: 5km for one candy
139. Omasat: 5km for one candy
140. Kabuto: 5km for one candy
141. Kabutops: 5km for one candy
142. Aerodactyl: 5km for one candy
143. Snorlax: 5km for one candy
144. Articuno: Unknown
145. Zapdos: Unknown
146. Moltres: Unknown
147. Dratini: 5km for one candy
148. Dragonair: 5km for one candy
149. Dragonite: 5km for one candy
150. Mewtwo: Unknown
151: Mew: Unknown
Read next: Pokémon Go troubleshooting tips and tricks.
