How to Evolve Your Pokémon

Level-Based Evolution

Many Pokémon evolve simply by reaching a certain level. Keep your Pokémon in your active party and battle with it so it gains experience. When it hits the required level, it will evolve automatically, often with a short animation. The evolved form usually has higher stats and may learn new moves. If you want to delay evolution, some interfaces let you cancel it, but most players let it proceed.

Item and Condition Evolution

Other Pokémon evolve only under specific conditions. Some require being traded, some need a particular evolutionary stone used on them from your inventory, and others evolve when leveled up while holding a specific item or during a certain time of day. Check your Pokédex entry for each Pokémon to see its evolution method. If a Pokémon is not evolving despite meeting the level requirement, it likely needs an item or condition instead. Keep evolution stones and trade-evolution items in storage so you are ready when the moment comes. Never assume level alone is enough.