For years, Pokémon GO was defined by physical movement—getting out of the house, meeting people at local parks, and physically standing under a Gym to participate in a Raid Battle. However, the introduction of Remote Raid Passes forever changed the landscape of the game. Whether you live in a rural area with few active players or you simply can’t make it to a local park during a Raid Hour, Remote Raids allow you to battle and catch powerful Legendaries from the comfort of your home.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Remote Raids, including how to get passes, the latest daily limits, how to invite friends from across the globe, and the best strategies to ensure you never waste a pass.

Table of Contents

1. What are Remote Raids in Pokémon GO?

Remote Raids allow trainers to participate in Raid Battles at any Gym that they can see on their "Nearby" map or that they have a Pokémon defending. Most importantly, it allows trainers to join raids via an invitation from a friend, regardless of where that friend is located in the world.

This feature has made it possible for players in the United States to catch region-exclusive Legendaries in Japan, or for players in small towns to join 20-person lobbies in major cities. Remote raiding has bridged the gap between urban and rural gameplay, making the most powerful Pokémon in the game accessible to everyone.

2. How to Get Remote Raid Passes

Unlike the orange "Daily Raid Pass" that you get for free by spinning a Gym, Remote Raid Passes (the blue ones) are premium items. Here is how you can obtain them:

  • The In-Game Shop: You can purchase a single Remote Raid Pass for 195 PokéCoins or a bundle of three for 525 PokéCoins.
  • Research Breakthroughs: Occasionally, Niantic includes a Remote Raid Pass as a reward for completing seven days of Field Research tasks (though this is not guaranteed every month).
  • Special Event Boxes: During large events like Pokémon GO Fest or Safari Zones, special limited-time boxes in the shop often feature discounted passes.

3. How to Join a Remote Raid: Three Different Ways

There are three primary ways to use your Remote Raid Pass to enter a battle:

The "Nearby" Menu

Tap the binoculars icon in the bottom right of your screen and switch to the "Raid" tab. You will see all active raids in your immediate vicinity. If a raid is happening at a Gym within your view, you can click it and use a Remote Raid Pass to enter the lobby.

Invites from Friends

When a friend starts a raid lobby, they can invite up to 10 friends. You will receive a notification on your phone and the "Nearby" bar will turn orange. Clicking this notification will take you directly to that friend's Gym, whether they are in the next town over or on another continent.

Gyms with Defending Pokémon

If you have a Pokémon currently defending a Gym, you can tap on that Pokémon in your "Today" view, tap "Go to Gym," and if there is a raid active, you can join it remotely. This is a great way to check back on specific areas you frequent.

4. Understanding Limits and Pricing (The 2023 Update)

In 2023, Niantic made significant changes to Remote Raiding to encourage more in-person play. It is vital for trainers to understand these rules so they can plan their resources.

The Daily Limit

Trainers are limited to participating in 5 Remote Raids per day. This limit resets at midnight local time. During certain global events, Niantic occasionally increases this limit to 10 or even removes the limit entirely for a 24-hour period.

The Inventory Cap

You can only hold a maximum of 3 Remote Raid Passes in your inventory at one time. If you have 3 passes, the shop will not allow you to buy more. However, if you have 2 passes and buy a 3-pack, you can technically hold 5. You must be under the 3-pass limit to make a new purchase.

5. How to Invite Friends and Host Global Raids

Being a "host" is a great way to ensure you have enough people to take down a 5-star Legendary. Here is the correct way to invite others:

  1. Join the Raid Lobby using any pass.
  2. Tap the "Invite Friends" button (the green icon with a plus sign above your character).
  3. Select up to 5 friends and send the invites.
  4. Wait 30 seconds. The game allows you to send a second wave of 5 invites after a short cooldown, totaling 10 invites.

Pro Tip: Always make sure you start the lobby with enough time on the Raid Clock. If there are only 2 minutes left on the Gym's raid timer, your friends might get an error when they try to join.

6. Remote Raid Combat: Damage and Mechanics

There is a technical difference between raiding in person and raiding remotely. Originally, Niantic intended for Remote Raiders to deal less damage than those standing at the Gym.

However, as of the current game balance, Niantic has kept a "temporary" buff active that allows Remote Raiders to deal the same amount of damage as in-person players. Keep an eye on the official "Seasonal Bonuses" page, as this could change in the future. If the buff is ever removed, you will need more players in a remote lobby to defeat the same boss.

7. Best Apps and Communities for Global Raiding

If you don't have friends who play Pokémon GO locally, you can use third-party apps to find raids. These are legal and do not violate the TOS as they simply facilitate friend-code sharing.

  • PokéGenie: The most popular app. It features a queue system where you can "line up" for a specific Legendary. The app will tell you when it's your turn to add the host and join the raid.
  • Leek Duck (Raid Now): A web-based service that is very fast and easy to use on a mobile browser.
  • Raid Party: Another high-quality app that focuses on fast matchmaking for the most popular Raid Bosses.

Using these apps is the best way to catch Regional Pokémon like Celesteela, Kartana, or the Lake Trio (Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf) when they appear in raids.

8. Pro Tips for Remote Raid Success

To avoid wasting your 195-coin passes, follow these rules of thumb:

  • Check the Lobby Count: Never stay in a 5-star raid lobby if there are fewer than 4 or 5 players and the timer hits 10 seconds. Use the "Empty Battle Party" trick to see if people stay before committing your pass.
  • Watch the Clock: If you are invited to a raid, check the time remaining on the Gym. If the raid ends while you are in the "Catch" screen and your app crashes, you will lose the chance to catch the Pokémon.
  • Distance Matters for Trading: Remember that Pokémon caught via Remote Raids will have the location of the Gym. If you live in London and remote raid in New York, that Pokémon will count as 3,500 miles away, which is great for earning the "Pilot" medal and extra Candy during trades.
  • Friendship Levels: You still get the damage bonus and extra Premier Balls for raiding with "Best Friends" remotely!

Conclusion

Remote Raids have revolutionized Pokémon GO, making it a truly global experience. While the 2023 price increase and daily limits made them more of a "premium" activity, they remains the most efficient way to fill your Pokédex with Legendaries and Mythicals.

By using matchmaking apps, coordinating with international friends, and understanding the daily limits, you can participate in raids at any hour of the day or night. Just remember to use your passes wisely, focus on high-utility Legendaries, and always keep an eye on that lobby timer!

What’s the furthest location you’ve ever raided in? Have you managed to catch a regional legendary using a remote pass? Let us know in the comments below!