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. Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter. Marie is Editor in Chief of Tech Advisor and Macworld. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our English language, French and Spanish consumer editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.