Pokemon GO gets Friends, Trading, and Gifting features

Niantic has announced new features for Pokemon GO which allows you to connect with real-life friends, send items, and even trade Pokemon.

Adding friends in Pokemon GO is now possible. To invite a Trainer to become your friend, simply enter their Trainer Code and then send them a request. If they accept, you’ll become friends, and you’ll see them in your Friends List.

When you receive gifts at a PokeStop or Gym, you can send it to a friend in your Friend List. Some gifts can also include an Egg that, when hatched, will contain an Alolan form of a Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region.

When you send a Gift to a friend or participate in a raid or Gym battle with them, you can increase your Friendship Level. As your Friendship Level builds, you’ll then unlock bonuses when you play together.

You can also build your Friendship Level by trading Pokemon. If you’re near a friend and have a Trainer Level of 10 or higher, you can trade Pokemon you’ve caught with that friend. You can also do Special Trades to receive a Legendary Pokemon, a Shiny Pokemon, or a Pokemon not currently in your Pokedex.