Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Crimson Desert
  • Pokopia
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Starfield
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift codes for Mega Garchomp Z
Pokemon All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (April 2026)
Pokemon Go codes
Pokemon Pokemon Go codes (April 2026) and how to redeem them
Pokemon
Anime Shows How to watch Pokemon in order: a complete guide to the TV show and movies
Greninja and Sylveon fight in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon I made a competitive team in minutes in Pokemon Champions – this could open the door for newcomers
Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon The best Pokemon games, ranked from worst to best
Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon All Secret missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Presents 2026
Pokemon All Pokemon Presents 2026 codes and rewards for Pokemon Go, Legends Z-A, TCG Pocket, and more
A Graveler, one of the Pokopia crush Pokemon.
Pokemon All Pokemon with the Pokopia Crush specialty
The lighthouse in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Team Initiation Challenge and how to get every item needed
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
Key art for Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know ahead of the Nintendo game's release
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Pokemon 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia
A selection of crafting recipes from the building screen in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon How to find new recipes in Pokemon Pokopia
The pre-order bonus Ditto Rug, one of the Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gifts.
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (April 2026)
A screenshot from the cinematic reveal trailer for Pokemon Champions, showing a Mega Charizard X and Terastalized Dondozo fighting.
Pokemon Pokemon Champions' decision to remove IVs required a "heated discussion" with one of the series' OG battle designers
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Go

How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Guides
By Ford James published 25 September 2020

How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go, and what it does

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go
(Image credit: Niantic)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

When you defeat Team Rocket grunts or leaders, you'll have the opportunity to catch their shadow Pokemon, which you can then purify. The method of how to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go isn't too self-explanatory though, especially when it boils down to why you should purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go, so we're here to help. Here's a breakdown of how to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go and what that actually means.

Pokemon Go Team Rocket | Pokemon Go Mysterious Components | How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Cliff, Sierra, and Arlo counters | Pokemon Go Giovanni counters | Pokemon Go A Troubling Situation | Pokemon Go Looming in the Shadows | Pokemon Go Rocket Straight to Victory

It's a multistage process where you have to fight Team Rocket in a Trainer Battle like encounter, capture their Pokemon and then purify them. Or not. If you think the evil version looks cooler then keep it that way. It's totally up to you. They're probably not suffering. Maybe. Read on for everything we know about how to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go, and what exactly that does.

You may like
  • The Ultra Rare Mew stamp from the Pokopia Stamp Rally. Pokemon Pokopia Stamp Rally explained
  • Pokemon Go codes Pokemon Go codes (April 2026) and how to redeem them
  • A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human. 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia

How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go

How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go

(Image credit: Niantic)

If you're unsure exactly on what a Pokemon Go shadow Pokemon is, make sure you click the link and read our guide on what that means. When it comes to purifying shadow Pokemon, there's a couple of things to do first and remember.

Before you purify a shadow Pokemon, firstly make sure you appraise it and check the IV. Purifying a shadow Pokemon will add two points to each IV stat, so if you have a 13/13/13 shadow Pokemon, after purifying it, you'll be left with a 100% IV Pokemon. On the other hand, if your shadow Pokemon has a rubbish IV, you may not want to purify it because let's be honest; shadow Pokemon look truly badass. Just look at my Charizard above!

Along with the IV boost, the purified Pokemon will also get a big CP increase, and it will be slightly cheaper to evolve to the latter evolutions since you already spent a few candy on purifying it. The downside to purification is that it will learn Return, which is a normal-type charged attack which unfortunately, isn't very powerful. They also have a subtle glow, though it doesn't look anywhere near as cool as the purple mist surrounding shadow Pokemon.

How to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go

(Image credit: Niantic)

To purify a shadow Pokemon, once you've actually caught one by defeating a Team Rocket GO Grunt, you need to find it in your Pokemon list. Searching for "shadow" works, as does "purified" after you're done.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Above the options to power up and evolve the Pokemon, is a Purify button. It will cost a few thousand stardust usually, along with a couple of candy specific to that Pokemon, but as long as you've got enough, you can press it and convert your shadow Pokemon into a purified Pokemon.

That's all there is to it; a simple process to purify your shadow Pokemon and the end result is a Pokemon with increased stats, but a less powerful charged attack than the normal variant. If you're an ultimate collector, aim for collecting a shadow, purified, shiny, and normal version of each Pokemon. Good luck defeating Team Rocket!

Pokemon Go tips | Pokemon Go Pokedex | Pokemon Go best Pokemon | Pokemon Go trading | Pokemon Go regionals | Pokemon Go shiny list | Pokemon Go raids | Pokemon Go legendaries | Pokemon Go evolution items | Pokemon Go Sinnoh Stones | Pokemon Go Unova Stones | Pokemon Go Eevee evolutions | Pokemon Go Ditto | Pokemon Go Battle League  | Pokemon Go Team Rocket | Pokemon Go Remote Raid Pass | How to change team in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Mega Evolutions | Pokemon Go cheats

CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone Platforms Mobile Gaming
Ford James
Ford James
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Give me a game and I will write every "how to" I possibly can or die trying. When I'm not knee-deep in a game to write guides on, you'll find me hurtling round the track in F1, flinging balls on my phone in Pokemon Go, pretending to know what I'm doing in Football Manager, or clicking on heads in Valorant.

Read more
The Ultra Rare Mew stamp from the Pokopia Stamp Rally.
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Stamp Rally explained
 
 
Pokemon Go codes
Pokemon Pokemon Go codes (April 2026) and how to redeem them
 
 
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Pokemon 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia
 
 
The lighthouse in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia Team Initiation Challenge and how to get every item needed
 
 
Pokemon Go
Pokemon With over 30 billion images logged, Pokemon Go is using players' activity to train its spinout AI company
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Pokemon
Pokemon Nintendo's Pokemon battling claim is too "obvious" to stand, US patent office says
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia gameplay showing Ditty in human form, frowning in front of a lighthouse
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia player builds straight-up jail for their least favorite 'mons: "They are (mostly) comfortable"
 
 
A Pokemon called Magikarp looking stressed on screen
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen devs found that "the programming sucks" in the original RPGs
 
 
Sableye stands in from of a Pokemon Center in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia Sableye event date, time, and details
 
 
Pokopia screenshots on Switch 2
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia sends monthly Switch 2 sales flying by 154% in the UK
 
 
Pokopia screenshots on Switch 2
Pokemon After depleting Pokopia's natural resources, maybe my Pokémon friends would be better off without me
 
 
Latest in Guides
Arc Raiders Canto
Third Person Shooters How to get the Canto SMG blueprint in Arc Raiders
 
 
Dust on the Wires quest in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters How to complete Dust on the Wires in Arc Raiders
 
 
Clamoring for Attention in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters How to complete Clamoring for Attention in Arc Raiders
 
 
Arc Raiders flex rubber
Third Person Shooters Where to find Arc Flex Rubber in Arc Raiders
 
 
Arc Raiders Dolabra
Third Person Shooters How to get the Legendary Dolabra in Arc Raiders
 
 
Sableye stands in from of a Pokemon Center in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia Sableye event date, time, and details
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Pokemon
    1
    Nintendo's Pokemon battling claim is too "obvious" to stand, US patent office says
  2. 2
    MTG Secrets of Strixhaven finally fixes a problem I've had with Magic for years
  3. 3
    Nearly 2 weeks after Crimson Desert's launch, tons of players are still in the first region
  4. 4
    WoW lead asks how players would feel about playing on controller, fans fear it'll "get worse" on PC
  5. 5
    18-year-old Super Mario Galaxy mystery is finally settled in the movie

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...