Pokemon Ruby

Transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby to Pokémon HOME requires several steps and compatible hardware. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A copy of Pokémon Ruby
• A Nintendo DS or DS Lite (with a GBA slot)
• A Nintendo 3DS with Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter installed
• A Gen 4 DS game (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Heart Gold, or Soul Silver)
• A Pokémon HOME Premium Plan

⚠️ Important: You cannot use a Nintendo DSi, 2DS, or 3DS to move Pokémon directly from GBA. Only the original DS or DS Lite supports GBA cartridge input.

Step 1: Use Pal Park to Transfer from Ruby to Gen 4

Insert your Ruby cartridge into a DS or DS Lite, alongside a compatible Gen 4 DS game. From the main menu of the DS game, choose “Migrate from Ruby” to begin transferring Pokémon into the Gen 4 game. You can transfer 6 Pokémon at a time.

Once the migration is complete, go to Pal Park in the DS game and catch your Pokémon. These Pokémon are now permanently in your Gen 4 game’s save file.

Step 2: Move Pokémon into Bank

Insert the Gen 4 DS game into a 3DS, and launch Poké Transporter. Make sure the Pokémon you want to transfer are stored in Box 1 of your PC. Poké Transporter will move them into a Transport Box within Pokémon Bank.

Then, open Pokémon Bank and move the Pokémon from the Transport Box into your standard storage boxes. Save and exit when done.

Step 3: Transfer to Pokémon HOME

Open Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch. From the main menu, go to “Move”, select “Move from Pokémon Bank,” and follow the instructions to generate a Move Key.

Return to Pokémon Bank on your 3DS, select “Move Pokémon to Pokémon HOME,” and enter the Move Key to complete the transfer. Your Pokémon will now be available in your HOME storage and can be used in compatible modern games.

This process is permanent — Pokémon transferred to HOME cannot return to Bank, Ruby, or any previous generation.