Direct friend trading · Gen 4 & Gen 5

Trade Pokémon with a friend over Wi-Fi

Exchange Pal Pad Friend Codes, meet in the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club, and start a direct trade from the correct Pokémon Center desk.

Set up the Wi-Fi Room Open the battle guide
Before entering the room

Prepare both games

Direct friend trading uses the Pal Pad and Wi-Fi Club. It is different from depositing a Pokémon on the GTS.

Connect both games

Configure StarMe DNS in Nintendo WFC Connection 1 and pass the connection test.

Exchange Friend Codes

Each player reads their 12-digit code from the Pal Pad and sends it to the other player.

Register both ways

Player A adds Player B, and Player B adds Player A. Save after registering.

Agree on the trade

Choose the Pokémon in advance and make sure neither player disconnects while confirming.

Need the DNS or Friend Code migration first? The Wi-Fi Room guide contains the setup wizard, Connection 1 requirement, migration tool, and connection troubleshooting.
Where to go in game

Find the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club

The games call it the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club; StarMe’s Wi-Fi Room is the setup and migration guide. The club moved between generations, and it is not the local wireless Union Room.

Generation 4

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver

Pokémon Center→B1F basement→Wi-Fi Club center desk
  1. Enter almost any Pokémon Center and take the downstairs escalator to the basement.
  2. Speak with the receptionist at the center Wi-Fi Club desk.
  3. Connect to Nintendo WFC and enter the room where registered Pal Pad friends appear.
Do not choose the local Union Room or Wi-Fi Plaza. Direct long-distance trades with Pal Pad friends use the Wi-Fi Club.
Generation 5

Black, White, Black 2 & White 2

Pokémon Center→2F mezzanine→Middle Wi-Fi Club desk
  1. Enter a Pokémon Center and go to the communication desks on the upper mezzanine.
  2. Speak with the middle receptionist for the Pokémon Wi-Fi Club.
  3. Connect and use the warp pad to enter the room with registered Pal Pad friends.
Do not use the C-Gear infrared/local options or the GTS desk. Friend Code trades take place inside the Wi-Fi Club.
Inside the club

Start and complete the trade

Send or accept the invitation

  1. Wait until both player avatars are visible.
  2. One player offers a trade using the room controls.
  3. The other player interacts with that avatar or accepts the displayed trade invitation.
  4. Select the Pokémon, review the summary, and confirm on both games.

Keep the session stable

  • Stay in the room until the save and trade animation finish.
  • Wait 15–30 seconds before retrying a cancelled or stalled invitation.
  • If both players are visible but the trade never starts, leave and reconnect together.
  • Ask the StarMe community about Relay Mode when restrictive NAT blocks direct sessions.
Choose the right service

Friend trade or GTS?

Use Wi-Fi Trading when…

You already know the other player, have exchanged Pal Pad codes, and want to choose both Pokémon together in a live session.

Use the GTS when…

You want to deposit a Pokémon and leave a requested species for another trainer to fulfill later.

Gen 4 GTS Gen 5 GTS
StarMe Wi-Fi Room reference Official Nintendo DS game manuals