Pokémon GO Link Charges are a special resource used to enter Mega Raids and Super Mega Raids.
Link Charges were added to Pokémon GO alongside the introduction of Super Mega Raids in February 2026. They can replace Premium Battle Passes when entering certain local Mega Raids and may also be required alongside a Remote Raid Pass.
Understanding Pokémon GO Link Charges is important for any Trainer who wants to unlock powerful Mega Evolutions, especially during major events featuring Pokémon such as Mega Mewtwo, Mega Raichu and Mega Rayquaza.
Here is how Pokémon GO Link Charges work, where to find them and how many are required for each raid.
What Are Pokémon GO Link Charges?
Pokémon GO Link Charges are a type of raid currency used specifically for Mega Raids and Super Mega Raids.
They cannot be used for ordinary one-star raids, three-star raids, Shadow Raids or standard five-star Legendary raids.
| Raid Type | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Mega Raid in person | Link Charges or Premium Battle Pass |
| Super Mega Raid in person | Link Charges or Premium Battle Pass |
| Standard Mega Raid remotely | Remote Raid Pass |
| Super Mega Raid remotely | Remote Raid Pass and Link Charges |
Players choose which eligible raid currency to spend before joining the lobby.
When attending a standard Mega Raid in person, using Pokémon GO Link Charges can help preserve Premium Battle Passes for other raid bosses.
How Many Pokémon GO Link Charges Does a Raid Cost?
The number of Pokémon GO Link Charges required depends on the raid type and whether the player is joining locally or remotely.
| Raid Entry | Link Charge Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Mega Raid in person | 150 Link Charges |
| Standard Mega Raid remotely | No Link Charges |
| Super Mega Raid remotely | 200 Link Charges plus a Remote Raid Pass |
| Super Mega Raid in person | Displayed before joining the lobby |
A Remote Raid Pass by itself is not enough to join a remote Super Mega Raid.
Players must have both the Remote Raid Pass and the required Pokémon GO Link Charges before they can enter.
Always check the raid confirmation screen before spending any resources, as special event bonuses may occasionally change raid requirements.
What Is the Pokémon GO Link Holder?
The Link Holder is the permanent key item used to store Pokémon GO Link Charges.
Players automatically receive the Link Holder after obtaining their first Link Charges.
| Link Holder Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Stores Link Charges |
| Standard capacity | 600 Link Charges |
| Location | Key Items section of the Item Bag |
| Obtained | Automatically after earning Link Charges |
| Can it be deleted? | No |
The standard Link Holder can store up to 600 Pokémon GO Link Charges.
Certain events or GO Pass rewards may temporarily increase this maximum. Players should check active event bonuses before assuming that 600 is always the absolute limit.
The Link Holder cannot be deleted, so there is no risk of accidentally losing it.
How to Get Pokémon GO Link Charges
There are several free ways to obtain Pokémon GO Link Charges.
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Weekly Challenges | Complete the current weekly objectives |
| Opening Gifts | Open Gifts sent by Pokémon GO friends |
| Campfire meetups | Check in at eligible community events |
| GO Pass rewards | Reach specific GO Pass ranks |
| Timed Research | Complete limited-time research tasks |
| Special Research | Complete eligible Special Research |
| Event bonuses | Participate in events offering additional charges |
Weekly Challenges, Gifts and Campfire meetups are the main recurring sources.
Special events may also increase the number of Pokémon GO Link Charges available or allow players to store more than the normal maximum.
Get Pokémon GO Link Charges From Weekly Challenges
Weekly Challenges are one of the most reliable free sources of Pokémon GO Link Charges.
The objectives may involve:
- Catching Pokémon.
- Walking a certain distance.
- Completing raids.
- Spinning PokéStops.
- Performing activities with friends.
Check the Weekly Challenge screen early so that you have enough time to complete every objective.
Players must also manually claim completed rewards before they expire. Finishing a challenge without claiming it may mean missing out on the Pokémon GO Link Charges attached to the reward.
Get Pokémon GO Link Charges From Gifts
Opening Gifts sent by friends can provide Pokémon GO Link Charges.
Because Pokémon GO limits how many Gifts can be opened each day, Trainers should begin collecting charges before a major raid event starts.
Maintaining an active friend list makes Gift rewards much easier to collect consistently.
Gifts can be obtained by spinning PokéStops and Gyms before sending them to friends. Your Buddy Pokémon may also collect Gifts when your supply is low.
Get Pokémon GO Link Charges From Campfire
Selected Campfire meetups provide Pokémon GO Link Charges when players attend and check in.
Community meetups are particularly useful during Super Mega Raid Days because these raids may require larger groups than standard Mega Raids.
Before travelling to an event, check its Campfire listing to confirm whether Link Charges are included in the meetup rewards.
Not every Campfire event provides the same bonuses.
Campfire can also help Trainers find nearby raid groups, which may make difficult Super Mega Raids easier to complete.
Can You Buy Pokémon GO Link Charges?
Yes, Pokémon GO Link Charges can be purchased using PokéCoins.
| Link Charge Bundle | Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 Link Charges | 100 PokéCoins |
| 600 Link Charges | 300 PokéCoins |
The standard bundles offer the same value per Link Charge.
Buying 600 charges does not normally provide a discount compared with purchasing three bundles of 200.
Pokémon GO Link Charges may also appear in bundles sold through the Pokémon GO Web Store. These bundles can include Remote Raid Passes or other useful raid items.
Prices vary by country and regional pricing tier.
How Many Raids Can You Complete With 600 Link Charges?
A full Link Holder containing 600 Pokémon GO Link Charges is enough for four standard local Mega Raids costing 150 charges each.
| Link Charges Available | Standard Local Mega Raids |
|---|---|
| 150 | One raid |
| 300 | Two raids |
| 450 | Three raids |
| 600 | Four raids |
For remote Super Mega Raids costing 200 Link Charges each, 600 charges would cover three entries.
Those remote entries would also require three separate Remote Raid Passes.
Should You Use Link Charges or a Premium Battle Pass?
For a normal in-person Mega Raid, Pokémon GO Link Charges are usually the better resource to spend.
Premium Battle Passes have more uses. They can be used for Legendary raids, standard local raids and the premium GO Battle League rewards track.
Link Charges are limited to Mega-related content, so using them first can preserve Premium Battle Passes for other activities.
| Situation | Recommended Resource |
|---|---|
| Local standard Mega Raid | Link Charges |
| Local Legendary Raid | Premium Battle Pass |
| Local Super Mega Raid | Link Charges when available |
| Remote standard Mega Raid | Remote Raid Pass |
| Remote Super Mega Raid | Remote Raid Pass and Link Charges |
Players may choose to save their Pokémon GO Link Charges when an important Super Mega Raid event is approaching.
Can Link Charges Be Used for Legendary Raids?
Pokémon GO Link Charges cannot be used for ordinary Legendary raids.
They are only accepted for Mega Raids and Super Mega Raids.
A Super Mega Raid may feature a Mega-Evolved Legendary Pokémon, such as Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y. Because the encounter is still classified as a Mega Raid, Link Charges can be required.
However, an ordinary five-star Mewtwo, Kyogre or Kyurem raid would still require a regular Raid Pass, Premium Battle Pass or Remote Raid Pass.
Why Can’t I Collect More Link Charges?
The most common reason is that the Link Holder has reached its maximum capacity.
Check whether:
- You already have 600 Pokémon GO Link Charges.
- An event has increased the Link Holder capacity.
- You already claimed the available Campfire reward.
- Your Weekly Challenge reward has been collected.
- The reward is allowed to exceed the standard limit.
- The event or research task has expired.
Some research rewards may allow players to exceed the standard maximum, while ordinary Gift rewards may stop providing charges when the Link Holder is full.
How to Prepare for a Super Mega Raid
Before a Super Mega Raid event begins:
- Check your current Pokémon GO Link Charges.
- Open Gifts throughout the week.
- Complete the current Weekly Challenge.
- Check Campfire for eligible meetups.
- Claim Link Charges from GO Pass rewards.
- Save Remote Raid Passes if playing remotely.
- Avoid spending charges on Mega Pokémon you do not need.
- Check how much energy is required for each Mega form.
Collecting Pokémon GO Link Charges gradually is much easier than trying to obtain several hundred during a single raid event.
Keeping the Link Holder topped up ensures you are ready when a rare or powerful Mega Evolution becomes available.
