Connectivity between Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon HOME is scheduled for 2026. That means your Z-A catches will be able to live in HOME, and HOME will become the hub that recognizes Z-A alongside other compatible titles. There is no specific date yet; plan on a general 2026 window.

One-way rules for transfers

There’s a critical limitation attached to this compatibility: once a Pokémon is moved into Legends: Z-A, it won’t be transferable to older games. Think of Z-A as a forward-only branch. You can bring Z-A Pokémon into HOME, but HOME will not let those Pokémon travel back into earlier titles.

Practically, that makes any move into Z-A a permanent fork for that individual Pokémon with respect to older games.

From To Allowed What it means
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokémon HOME Yes (2026) Z-A Pokémon can be stored in HOME once connectivity is live.
Pokémon HOME Pokémon Legends: Z-A Yes (2026) Moving a Pokémon into Z-A makes it ineligible for transfer to older games thereafter.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Older games No Not supported. Z-A Pokémon cannot be sent to earlier titles.
Note: The rules above apply to transfer paths, not to in-game mechanics. Details like move sets and forms are outside the scope of what’s been outlined so far.

What this means for your collection

The one-way rule turns every transfer into a decision. If a specific Pokémon is important to you in an older game—whether for completing that game’s dex or for your own teams—don’t move it into Legends: Z-A. Once it crosses into Z-A, you keep access to it in HOME and Z-A, but not in prior titles.

A safer approach is to select Pokémon you’re comfortable committing to Z-A and keep anything you might need elsewhere out of that lane. This reduces the risk of locking a favorite into the new ecosystem when you still want it available in older games.

How to prepare for 2026 connectivity

Make sure you have access to Pokémon HOME on the devices you plan to use when support goes live. You can install and sign in via the official Pokémon HOME page: home.pokemon.com.

Between now and 2026, decide which Pokémon—if any—you’re comfortable moving into Z-A once the link opens. If you’re unsure, wait. There’s no benefit to rushing a transfer you might want to reverse later, because reversals to older games won’t be possible.

Key questions, answered

Is there a firm date? Not yet. The connectivity window is “scheduled for 2026,” with no specific timing announced.

Can Z-A Pokémon live in HOME? Yes. Z-A-to-HOME transfers are part of the planned support.

Can I send Z-A Pokémon into older games? No. Z-A is not backward compatible with older titles.

If I move a Pokémon into Z-A, can I change my mind later? You’ll still be able to keep it in HOME and use it in Z-A, but you won’t be able to route it into older games after that move.

The bottom line: connectivity is coming, but it’s deliberately one-way for anything that touches Legends: Z-A. Take your time, pick the right candidates, and treat any transfer into Z-A as a permanent commitment relative to older games.