How to Evolve Inkay in Pokémon Go: Easy Guide

Evolving Inkay in Pokémon GO is one of the game’s more unique and entertaining evolution methods, bringing a fun physical twist to the mobile gaming experience.

The Basics of Inkay Evolution

If you’ve managed to catch an Inkay in Pokémon GO, you might be wondering how to evolve it into its evolved form, Malamar. Unlike most Pokémon that simply require candy to evolve, Inkay has a special requirement that pays homage to its original evolution method in the main series games.

Evolution Requirements

First, you’ll need 50 Inkay candy – that’s the easy part. The real trick comes with the special requirement: you need to physically turn your phone upside down while evolving Inkay. Yes, you read that right! This quirky evolution method is actually a clever nod to how Inkay evolves in the main Pokémon games.

Step-by-Step Evolution Process

1. Make sure you have 50 Inkay candy
2. Go to your Inkay in your Pokémon storage
3. Hold your phone upside down (completely inverted)
4. Press the evolve button while keeping your phone inverted
5. Watch as your Inkay transforms into Malamar

Important Tips to Remember

Here’s something I learned the hard way – make sure your phone’s auto-rotate feature is turned ON. If it’s locked in portrait mode, the game won’t register that you’re holding your phone upside down. I’ve seen many trainers get frustrated when the evolution doesn’t work, and this is usually the culprit.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you’re having trouble evolving your Inkay, here are some common solutions:
– Double-check your auto-rotate settings
– Ensure you’re holding the phone completely upside down (180 degrees)
– Make sure you maintain the inverted position throughout the evolution animation
– Check that you have stable internet connectivity

Why This Evolution Method Matters

This unique evolution mechanic is more than just a gimmick – it’s a perfect example of how Pokémon GO brings the classic games’ mechanics into the real world in creative ways. The original games required players to literally turn their Nintendo 3DS upside down to evolve Inkay, and Niantic brilliantly adapted this mechanic for mobile phones.

Remember, once you’ve successfully evolved your Inkay into Malamar, you’ll have a powerful Dark/Psychic-type Pokémon in your collection. Malamar is particularly useful in PvP battles thanks to its unique typing and move set, making this quirky evolution process well worth the effort.

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Jeb

13" MacBook Pro code warrior. Daily driver: M3 Pro, 32GB RAM & 2TB SSD. Terminal is my happy place.

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