Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen are now compatible with Pokémon HOME as of October 7, 2026. This version 4.1.0 update allows players to transfer Pokémon from these classic Game Boy Advance remakes to the cloud service, though transfers are one-way. Completing the Kanto Pokédex also rewards players with a free Mythical Pokémon, Celebi.
How the FireRed and LeafGreen Transfer Process Works
Players can now move Pokémon caught in the Nintendo Switch versions of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen into Pokémon HOME. The integration, which arrived with the version 4.1.0 update, follows a brief maintenance period that concluded on October 7. While this functionality allows for the portability of creatures to other modern titles, it imposes strict limitations on movement.
“Once a Pokémon from Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version is moved into Pokémon HOME, it will be unable to return to Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version. Pokémon from other games in the Pokémon series will be unable to visit Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version.”
The Pokémon Company, via official update documentation
This means the connection is strictly a one-way export. Once a creature is deposited into the Pokémon HOME cloud storage, it cannot be sent back to the original game files. Furthermore, players cannot use the service to import Pokémon from other games into the Kanto region remakes. The original FireRed and LeafGreen titles, which first launched on the Game Boy Advance on September 7, 2004, remain significant entries in the franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, these remakes introduced the Sevii Islands to the Kanto region and allowed players to challenge the Elite Four and the Pokémon League Champion.
Claiming the Mythical Pokémon Celebi
To celebrate the new compatibility, players who complete the Kanto Pokédex in either FireRed or LeafGreen can claim a free Level 50 Celebi. The process is automated; players do not need to physically transfer their entire collection into the Pokémon HOME app to trigger the reward. Once the game is linked to the service, the app automatically registers any Pokémon already caught and cataloged within the in-game Pokédex. This includes the ability to utilize the Global Trade System (GTS) to facilitate trading with other players, helping users finish their collection without needing to transfer every individual specimen into the cloud app.
This distribution mirrors historical events, such as the 2006 Mystery Gift distributions where players could acquire the Pokémon during the Pokémon Jungle Tour in Japan or the 10th Anniversary Journey Across America mall tour in the United States. Players can redeem this gift through the mobile version of the Pokémon HOME application, and it is confirmed that the rare Pokémon Mew is not required to complete the Pokédex for this specific reward.
Additional Version 4.1.0 Update Features
The update brings changes beyond FireRed and LeafGreen support, primarily targeting storage capacity and connectivity for mobile users. Subscribers to the paid Premium Plan will see their storage limit increase from 6,000 to 9,000 Pokémon, a change enacted without any increase to the existing Premium Plan pricing. Additionally, the update enables the transfer of Pokémon caught in Pokémon GO using a Safari Ball; these creatures will now transition into a “Strange Ball” upon entering the Pokémon HOME ecosystem.
| Feature | Update Status |
|---|---|
| FireRed/LeafGreen Link | Enabled (One-way) |
| Premium Storage | Increased to 9,000 |
| GO Safari Ball Transfer | Enabled (Converts to Strange Ball) |
| Celebi Reward | Available upon Kanto Pokédex completion |
Version 4.1.0 Update Ends 32-Bit Android Support
The rollout of version 4.1.0 required a six-hour maintenance window on October 7. The service was offline from 1 am BST (8 pm ET on October 6) to allow for the implementation of the new links. Following the update, support for 32-bit Android devices has officially ended. Trainers looking to utilize these new features must ensure both their Nintendo Switch software and mobile applications are updated to the latest version.
As the franchise looks toward the future, including the upcoming Winds and Waves release for the tenth generation, fans continue to engage with these older titles. The FireRed and LeafGreen remakes arrived on the Nintendo Switch in February, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the overall Pokémon franchise. With the latest connectivity updates, players can now move their Kanto-caught teams into modern titles such as Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, or use them for “visits” in other compatible software.
Worth a look