Trading is at the very center of Pokémon Community Experience, which is again true of Pokémon Sword and Shield. Sword and Shield gives you two ways to trade Pokemon with your friends around the world.
How to trade Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The first thing to do is to unlock the Comm Link. You must read the story and you will know it has been unlocked when a blue Comm Links icon appears in the lower left corner of the screen. Press Y to open the Comm Links menu to start trading Pokemon. You can do it offline or online.
Link Trade will allow you to trade Pokemon with anyone on your friend list or in your region. If your friends aren't near you, use the + button in the Trade menu to connect to the internet and trade with them that way.
Surprise trade allows you to send a random Pokemon to someone and get a random Pokemon from them. Unfortunately, these are the only two trading methods in the game, as GTS and other features from previous games in the series have disappeared from these newer titles.
Which method you choose to use is up to you, although we much prefer the idea of Link Trade. Remember that you will need to trade with people to get an exclusive version of Pokemon that only spawns in both. Sword or Shield.
