How Mega Evolution works in Pokémon GO

By Matt, MattSimplified 23 October 2026 6 min read

Quick answer

Mega Evolution powers up a Pokémon for 8 hours using Mega Energy, which you mostly earn from Mega Raids. While it's Mega Evolved, it boosts everyone's attacks in raids and gives you extra Candy when you catch Pokémon of the same type. The more you Mega Evolve the same Pokémon, the higher its Mega Level, which means bigger bonuses and a shorter wait before you can do it again for free. You can only have one Mega active at a time.

Before you start

What you need

Mega Energy

Earned mostly from Mega Raids. Super Mega Raids give even more.

A regular or purified Pokémon

Shadow Pokémon can't Mega Evolve, so you need a normal or purified copy.

A raid group

Mega Raids are tough, so bring friends. Super Mega Raids need around eight players.

Step by step

How to Mega Evolve

Earn Mega Energy
Beat Mega Raids to earn Mega Energy for that Pokémon. Regular Mega Raids give about 150 to 250, and Super Mega Raids about 300 to 500.
Mega Evolve from its summary screen
Open the Pokémon and tap Mega Evolve. Your first Mega costs between 100 and 400 Mega Energy, depending on the Pokémon.
Use it for 8 hours
Take it into raids for the boost, and catch Pokémon that share its type for extra Candy.
Do it again, cheaper
After a rest period you can Mega Evolve it again for free. During the rest period it costs less Mega Energy the closer you get to the end.
Mega X and Y are separate
Since May 2026, Pokémon with X and Y forms, like Charizard, need separate Mega Energy for each form.

Why bother

What a Mega does for you

RaidsBoosts everyone

Everyone in the raid does 10% more damage, and 30% more with attacks that match the Mega's type. That stacks with the Mega's own big stats.

CatchingExtra Candy

Catch Pokémon that share a type with your Mega and you get extra Candy, plus a better chance of Candy XL. The bonus grows with Mega Level.

WalkingMega Energy from buddy walks

Once you've Mega Evolved a Pokémon, walking with it as your buddy earns more of its Mega Energy.

Which Megas are in raids this week?See my weekly guide

Getting stronger

Mega Levels explained

Each level makes the bonuses bigger and the wait to Mega Evolve again for free shorter.

Mega Level	How you get there	Free again after
Base	Your first Mega Evolution	7 days
High	After about 7 Mega Evolutions	5 days
Max	After about 30 Mega Evolutions	3 days
Super Max	Spend Mega Energy once it's at Max (since February 2026)	24 hours

Since August 2026 you can also spend Mega Energy to level up instantly instead of waiting, and Megas that can reach Super Max get an extra Charged Attack. Higher levels give bigger Candy bonuses and catch bonuses. The exact thresholds aren't official, so treat them as a guide.

Also worth knowing

Primal Reversion and Super Mega Raids

Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon

Kyogre and Groudon don't Mega Evolve. They Primal Revert instead, using 400 Primal Energy from Primal raids. It works the same way as a Mega for raids and bonuses.

Super Mega Raids

The toughest Mega raids, launched in 2026. The boss puts up shields that each player breaks with their own Mega, so they need a big group. How Super Mega Raids work.

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