Quick Links
Those looking to power up their Pokemon to the highest levels ofPokemon GOwill need plenty ofXL Candy. Despite its name, the XL Candy functions a bit differently than the Exp. Candy XL in mainlinePokemongames. While both give experience, one is used for going beyond a level cap forspecificPokemon, while the other can be used to give a boatload of experience toanyspecies.
InPokemon GO, there is Pokemon-specific Candy instead of the generic blue Rare Candies found in the main series. BecauseGOlacks the traditional battle system, giving Candy and Stardust is how players can evolve (and Mega Evolve) their Pokemon. However, unlikePokemon’s level cap of 100,Pokemon GOhas a level cap of50. Trainers will need to start farming XL Candy if seeking to progress through the levels of 41-50, which have been added recently.
Updated June 01, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia:Few mobile titles continue to captivate gamers quite like the AR sensation Pokemon GO. Developer Niantic has kept its virtual ecosystem thriving and players traveling far and wide with their phones. By trickling out waves of events, new features, and of course, new monsters to collect (which now include some Gen Nine Pokemon), the game’s remained quite popular.
One of the biggest additions was an expansion of player and Pokemon progression, which came in late 2020 and brought a reworked level system, an extra ten levels, as well as Gen 6 Pokemon. With many still playing the game often years after its release, XL Candy has become an increasingly important item. And so, we thought we’d revisit and flesh out this trusty guide highlighting the best ways to get XL Candy fast.
What is XL Candy And How To Use Them?
Originally, Pokemon would stop leveling once they hit Level 40. This was changed in December 2020, when thelevel cap was raised to 50 insteadby way of the “Beyond Update”. To do this, they need to feed their Pokemon an XL Candy,so they can extend from level 40 to 50. What makes XL Candy different from regular Candy is that itcan’t be obtained until the Trainer Level is 31.
Initially, it takes10 XL Candyto power up your Pokemon for the first time. This cost goes up the more it gets powered up.
There are two types of XL Candy:
Using XL Candy works the same way as using regular Candy. Select thePower Upoption to start. If players want to use XL Candy to get to level 50 immediately, they’ll need Stardust, regular candy (of that Pokemon’s species), and296 pieces of XL Candyper non-Shadow Pokemon (with Shadow Pokemon needing more).
The amount of Stardust and Candyneeded to Power Up depends on the current level of the Pokemon players are trying to Power Up.
Best Ways To Farm XL Candy
Luckily, there are several ways to farm XL Candy inPokemon GO. While XL Candy is rare, some methods have guaranteed drops. Players should decide which method works best once they’re at a high enough level to start collecting.
Catching Pokemon
The quickest way to get XL Candy is tocatch Pokemon. As players know, catching a Pokemon will normally yield one to three pieces of Candy. If players need a specific type of Candy, they’ll have to catch specific Pokemon. For example,catching Bulbasaur or any of its evolutionswill occasionally give Bulbasaur Candy, which can be fed to Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur.
If players are at the point where they can start farming XL Candy (i.e: Trainer Level is 31), then the Pokemon has a chance of dropping a piece of XL Candy (and up to 3) if it’s caught.
Walking a Buddy Pokemon
Selecting a Pokemon to walk withon the Pokemon’s menu screen is another way to get XL Candy. The higher the CP, the more likely the XL Candy drop once a certain amount of distance has been walked. A3km distance will give one regular Candy, but there is a chance of getting an XL Candy too.
Transferring a Pokemon
The third method is by transferring Pokemon. Those with a high CP Level have a higher chance of dropping XL Candy. There’s at leastone XL Candyfor each transfer per Pokemon.
Hatching Pokemon Eggs
Depending on the type of Pokemon Egg, players can get more XL Candy.The longer the km, the higher the chance of getting more XL Candy. 2km Eggs have an average of one XL Candy while 12km Egg has an average of 4.
The highest among XL Candy players can get are from 10/12km Eggs at a total of 24 XL Candies, with 8 XL Candies as the lowest from 2km Eggs.
Exchanging Candy
The fifth method of farming XL Candy is bytrading in regular Candy. To do this, tap the menu icon in the bottom right corner of a Pokemon’s status page, and selectTransfer.
At the cost of100 regular Candies,players will getone XL Candy. Since Candy is still neededfor leveling up and evolving, this isn’t recommended unless players have an excessive amount of regular Candy in their inventory.
Trading a Pokemon
This is not a guaranteed method, but trading a Pokemon can give one XL Candy to one of the traders or, on rarer occasions, to both trainers. If players want an XL Candy through trading, both need to be atlevel 31.Before initiating a trade, check the distance between the two Pokemon. The farther the km/distance, the more likely the chance of getting an XL Candy.
As for Rare Candy XL, it seemsit’s only given as a rewardfor leveling up a Pokemon beyond level 40.
