Trading with Yourself in Pokémon GO: A Hilarious How-To for the Solo Trainer
Ever stare longingly at your collection of Zubats and wonder, "If only I had a friend to trade with..." Well, fret no more, lonely trainer! Today, we delve into the wacky, wonderful world of self-trades in Pokémon GO. Yes, you read that right. We're about to turn you into a one-man (or woman) trading powerhouse.
Why Trade with Yourself? Isn't that a bit, well, Sad?
Listen, catching 'em all is a noble goal, but sometimes, you just gotta get creative. Maybe your best friend ditched the game for a life of competitive tiddlywinks (a surprisingly strategic game, by the way). Perhaps your local trading scene is drier than a Snorlax after a marathon snoozefest. Whatever the reason, trading with yourself is a perfectly valid strategy – and way more fun than admitting defeat to a particularly smug Pidgey.
Behold! The Art of the Self-Trade
There are two main methods for this solo shindig. Buckle up, trainers, because things are about to get a little...weird.
Method 1: The App Switcheroo
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App Cloning Shenanigans: This one's for our Android brethren (sorry, iPhone folks, this trick might not work for you). We're talking about app cloning magic! There are various apps that let you create a duplicate version of Pokémon GO. Essentially, you'll have two PoGO accounts chilling on your phone.
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The Great Disconnect: Here comes the slightly suspicious part. Be warned: This might look a little funky on Niantic's end, so proceed with caution (and maybe a dash of humor if you get flagged). With both accounts logged in, initiate the trade. Once you're on the trade screen on BOTH accounts, disconnect your internet. Yes, you read that right. Go airplane mode, trainers! This will (hopefully) prevent the trade from going through, but will still register the attempt on both accounts.
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The Log-Back-In Dance: Now, here's the fun part. Reconnect to the internet and log back into each account one by one. Voila! The trade attempt should have registered, and your Pokémon should be magically transferred between accounts...sort of like digital teleportation with a dash of technical trickery.
Method 2: The Split-Screen Shuffle
This method works for both Android and iOS, but requires some fancy phone-fu.
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The Multitasking Tango: Activate split-screen mode on your phone. Now, have each Pokémon GO account open on one half of the screen. It'll look like you're playing two games at once, which, well, you kind of are.
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The Lightning-Fast Finger: Here comes the real challenge. With lightning speed, initiate the trade on both accounts simultaneously. This might take some practice (and possibly a screen protector to avoid those intense finger taps).
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The Confirmation Caper: Once the trade is initiated on both sides, accept the trade on one account, then quickly switch screens and accept on the other. It's a digital game of hot potato, but hopefully, your Pokémon will end up in the right hands (or, er, accounts).
Important Trainer Tips!
- Don't Get Caught! While these methods shouldn't get you banned, it's always best to be safe. Maybe avoid doing this too frequently, and remember, a little humor goes a long way if Niantic raises an eyebrow.
- Patience is a Virtue: These methods might take a few tries. Don't get discouraged, and remember, laughter is the best medicine (unless you've been poisoned by a Muk, in which case, get to a PokéCenter, stat!).
- Enjoy the Absurdity! Trading with yourself is inherently hilarious. Embrace the weirdness, trainers, and have fun creating your own solo trading adventures!
So there you have it, fellow trainers! The world of self-trades awaits. Remember, the key is to be creative, have a good laugh, and maybe stock up on Revives in case your phone throws a wobbly after all that digital gymnastics. Happy trading (to yourself)!
