Pokémon Go trainers can choose one of three teams to join. They can join a team once they’re level 5 and up until two days ago, the selection was permanent. The team you picked had to be a decision you made carefully because it was practically set in stone. There have been some users who were able to request Niantic for a team change but they’re definitely in the minority. That’s all changed now. You can change teams in Pokémon Go if you’re willing to spend $10.
Niantic has finally allowed trainers to change teams in Pokémon Go but it’s still not letting them make the decision lightly. For one, it costs money to make the change. Specifically, users have to purchase a special medallion that is now available in the shop to make the change and it comes with conditions.
Open Pokémon Go and tap the Pokéball at the bottom centre. On the next screen, tap Shop.
Scroll through the list of available items and look for the Team Medallion. Buy it, and use it to change your team. It costs 1000 Pokécoins so if you happen to have those to spare, changing teams should be easy. To say this is one the pricer things you can buy in the app is an understatement.
As mentioned earlier, this medallion comes with limitations. You can only use it once a year. That means team changes are limited to once per 365 days. If you later need to change your team again, you will need to purchase another Team Medallion.
After changing teams, there will be other side-effects. For one, you will be removed from the gym you’ve joined as gyms are under the ownership of specific teams. If you no longer belong to the team that owns a gym, you will be naturally be kicked out of it with no way to rejoin. Any Pokémon you had in the gym will of course be returned to you and you will not lose any medals etc., that you’ve earned as a member of the other team.
While Niantic has relented and made it easier for users to change teams in Pokémon Go, it still isn’t allowing users to make the decision on a whim. It will cost you money to make the change, and the change will stick for one year. If you play the game a lot, it might just be easier to start over with a new account and join the team you want.
