Ever wondered why your Pokemon buddy seems so happy one day and sluggish the next? The Buddy system is one of Pokemon GO's most charming features, letting trainers bond with a chosen companion through feeding, petting, and shared adventures. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about playing with your buddy in Pokemon GO, strengthening your bond, and unlocking useful perks along the way.
- Part 1. What Is Pokemon GO Buddy?
- Part 2. How to Play with Your Buddy in Pokemon GO
- Part 3. How to Walk with Your Buddy Without Walking
- Part 4. FAQs about Pokemon GO Buddy
- Part 5. Conclusion
Part 1. What Is Pokemon GO Buddy?
The Buddy feature lets trainers pick one Pokemon to travel alongside them, both on the map and in augmented reality. As you spend time together, your bond deepens, unlocking bonuses ranging from extra Candy to a permanent increase in Combat Power. Understanding hearts, levels, and evolution requirements is the first step toward making the most of this system.
01Pokemon GO Buddy Hearts
Affection hearts are the currency that drives your relationship with your buddy forward. You earn them by completing daily activities, and the more hearts you collect, the faster your buddy climbs the friendship ladder.
| Activity | Hearts Earned |
|---|---|
| Feeding a treat | Up to 3 per day |
| Playing together | 1 per day |
| Taking a snapshot | 1 per day |
| Walking together | 1 per 2 km, up to 6 km |
| Battling together | Up to 3 per day |
| Visiting a new PokeStop or Gym | 1 per day |
| Completing a Route | 1 per day |
| Bonus actions (souvenirs, presents, special stops, sleep sync) | Up to 6 per day |
02Pokemon GO Buddy Level
As you earn hearts with your buddy, your friendship grows through four distinct levels. From becoming a Good Buddy to reaching Best Buddy status, every level brings you closer and unlocks helpful perks for your Pokemon.
- Good Buddy – requires 1 heart; your Pokemon appears on the map, and its mood becomes visible.
- Great Buddy – requires 70 hearts; your buddy can help catch wild Pokemon and starts bringing back presents.
- Ultra Buddy – requires 150 hearts; your buddy may find souvenirs and lead you to points of interest.
- Best Buddy – requires 300 hearts; your Pokemon gains a lasting CP boost and wears a special ribbon.
03Pokemon GO Buddy Evolution
Some Pokemon, including several members of the Eevee family, can only evolve once specific buddy-related conditions are met. These requirements typically fall into a few categories:
- Walking a set distance together as buddies
- Earning a certain number of hearts
- Battling alongside your buddy a number of times
- Collecting a specific number of Candies while your buddy explores with you
Part 2. How to Play with Your Buddy in Pokemon GO
Playing with your buddy is a simple but essential habit, since it not only earns you a heart each day but also boosts your buddy's mood, which brings additional perks like reduced Candy distances. Here's how to do it correctly.
Step 1. Launch the Pokemon GO app and tap the Pokeball icon.
Step 2. Then enter the Settings section and select AR to turn on the AR Buddy.
Step 3. Open the game and tap your buddy's icon located in the bottom-left corner of the map screen.
Step 4. Tap the Play! button to launch your device's camera and bring your buddy into augmented reality.
Step 5. Find enough open space in your surroundings, then tap the glowing footprints that appear on the ground to place your Pokemon.
Step 6. Gently swipe or rub your finger across your buddy on the screen to interact with it.
Step 7. Keep interacting until your Pokemon reacts with sparkles, a smile, and a glowing light — this confirms you've successfully played together and earned your daily heart.
Part 3. How to Walk with Your Buddy Without Walking
Building buddy distance is essential for earning Candy and hearts, but not everyone has the time or the ability to walk outdoors every day. That's where MagFone Location Changer comes in handy. This tool lets you simulate custom routes and mimic walking on the Pokemon GO map right from your desk, while also letting you control your movement speed to keep things looking natural. Below is how to walk in Pokemon GO without walking.
Step 1 Launch MagFone Location Changer
Download and open MagFone Location Changer on your computer, then connect your iPhone or Android device with a USB cable. On the main interface, select the Change Location mode and hit Start to begin adjusting your GPS.
Step 2 Build and Activate a Custom Route
Click the third tab in the top-right area of the app, then drag around the map to mark waypoints and build a personalized walking path. Once your route is ready, press Start Modifying, and MagFone will keep refreshing your in-game position automatically.
Part 4. FAQs about Pokemon GO Buddy
How to change buddy in Pokemon GO?
Swapping buddies is quick and can be done up to 20 times a day, making it easy to rotate companions depending on your goals.
Step 1. Tap your current buddy's icon in the bottom-left corner of the map.
Step 2. Scroll to the bottom of the buddy screen and select Swap Buddies.
Step 3. Confirm the swap, then choose a new Pokemon from your collection to become your buddy.
Can you trade best buddies in Pokemon GO?
Yes, you can trade a Pokemon that has reached Best Buddy status, but doing so removes its Best Buddy title. The new trainer will need to build that bond from scratch after the trade goes through.
Can you put your buddy in a gym Pokemon GO?
Yes. Your buddy Pokemon is just like any other Pokemon in your collection and can be placed in a Gym as long as it meets the usual eligibility requirements, such as not already being deployed elsewhere.
Can you delete buddy history Pokemon GO?
There isn't an official option to erase your buddy history log within the app. The record simply keeps growing as you swap companions over time, and there's no built-in way to clear past entries.
Can you have multiple best buddies Pokemon GO?
Yes, you can have several Pokemon that hold Best Buddy status at once, though only one can actively serve as your buddy at any given time. The CP boost and ribbon remain attached to each Pokemon that earned them, even after you swap to a different active buddy.
How long do berries last Pokemon GO buddy?
Feeding your buddy three regular berries (or one Golden Razz, Silver Pinap, or Poffin) keeps it on the map for roughly three hours, or six hours if a Poffin was used. Once that timer runs out, you'll need to feed it again to keep it by your side.
Part 5. Conclusion
The Buddy system adds a rewarding layer of companionship to Pokemon GO, letting trainers earn Candy, hearts, and CP boosts through feeding, playing, and walking together. Whether you're chasing evolutions or simply enjoying the bond, understanding these mechanics helps you get the most from every adventure.
Edgar Davis
Editor in chief
