How To Get Gimmighoul Pokemon GO - Complete Guide 2026
Gimmighoul, the Coin Chest Pokemon from Generation IX, is one of the most unique Pokemon in Pokemon GO. This comprehensive guide covers how to catch Gimmighoul, collect Gimmighoul Coins, and evolve it into the powerful Gholdengo in 2026.
Quick Answer: Get Gimmighoul by using the Coin Bag (requires Pokemon Scarlet/Violet connection) or by visiting Golden PokeStops. Collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins to evolve it into Gholdengo.
Method 1: Using the Coin Bag (Primary Method)
The Coin Bag is a special item that spawns Gimmighoul for 30 minutes when activated. However, obtaining it requires a Nintendo Switch connection.
Coin Bag Setup Steps
- Requirements
- Pokemon Scarlet OR Pokemon Violet for Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch console
- Pokemon GO app on your mobile device
- Internet connection on both devices
- Connect Your Accounts
- Open Pokemon GO on your phone
- Go to Settings → Connected Devices & Services
- Select “Nintendo Switch”
- Open Pokemon Scarlet or Violet on your Switch
- Go to Poke Portal → Mystery Gifts → Connect to Pokemon GO
- Follow the on-screen pairing instructions
- Send a Postcard
- In Pokemon GO, spin a PokeStop to collect a postcard
- Go to your bag and select the postcard
- Choose “Send to Pokemon Scarlet/Violet”
- The postcard will appear in your Switch game
- Receive the Coin Bag
- After sending a postcard, you’ll receive the Coin Bag in Pokemon GO
- The Coin Bag appears in your item bag
- You can now use it to spawn Gimmighoul!
One-Time Setup: You only need to connect and send a postcard ONCE to receive the Coin Bag. After that, you can use it repeatedly (with a cooldown).
How to Use the Coin Bag
Once you have the Coin Bag, you can use it to spawn Gimmighoul encounters:
Using the Coin Bag
- Open your item bag in Pokemon GO
- Find and tap on the Coin Bag
- Activate it to start a 30-minute spawn period
- Gimmighoul will spawn approximately every 1.5 minutes
- Catch as many Gimmighoul as possible during the 30 minutes
Coin Bag Cooldown:
- After using the Coin Bag, you must wait 1 day before using it again
- Send another postcard to Pokemon Scarlet/Violet to reset the timer
- You can use the Coin Bag once per day
Pro Tip: During special events, Niantic sometimes extends the Coin Bag duration or reduces the cooldown! Watch for announcements.
Method 2: Golden PokeStops (Shiny Gimmighoul)
Golden PokeStops are special stops that can spawn both regular and Shiny Gimmighoul. They’re also a great source of Gimmighoul Coins.
Golden PokeStop Methods
How Golden PokeStops Appear:
- Golden Lure Module: Attach a Golden Lure to any PokeStop (30 minutes duration)
- Random Gold PokeStops: Occasionally appear naturally (very rare)
- Event-Exclusive: Sometimes appear during special Gimmighoul events
Using Golden PokeStops:
- Find or create a Golden PokeStop (attach Golden Lure Module)
- Spin the stop to receive 5-25 Gimmighoul Coins per spin
- Gimmighoul will spawn near the Golden PokeStop
- Shiny Gimmighoul has increased spawn rate at Golden PokeStops
- Multiple trainers can benefit from the same Golden PokeStop
Note: Golden Lure Modules are rare items typically available in the shop during special events or as rewards. They cost more than regular lures.
Collecting Gimmighoul Coins
To evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, you need an enormous amount of Gimmighoul Coins: 999 coins! Here are all the ways to collect them:
Coin Collection Methods
1. Catching Gimmighoul
- Each Gimmighoul caught gives 3-6 Gimmighoul Coins
- Use Pinap Berries to double candy (but coins remain the same)
- Most reliable method for consistent coin farming
2. Spinning Golden PokeStops
- Each spin grants 5-25 Gimmighoul Coins
- Can be spun multiple times during lure duration
- Fast way to earn coins if Golden Lures are available
3. Walking with Gimmighoul Buddy
- Set Gimmighoul as your buddy Pokemon
- Earn coins by walking specific distances
- Slower method but requires no items
- Passive coin generation while playing normally
4. Special Events
- Gimmighoul-themed events offer bonus coins
- Field research tasks may reward coins
- Timed research during events gives bulk coins
How Long Does It Take to Get 999 Coins?
The time required varies based on your method and dedication:
Time Estimates
- Using Coin Bag Daily: Approximately 2-4 weeks
- Catch ~10-15 Gimmighoul per session
- Earn ~30-90 coins per day
- Requires consistent daily play
- Golden PokeStops Only: 1-2 weeks
- If you have access to multiple Golden Lures
- Can earn 100+ coins per lure session
- Expensive method (requires many lures)
- Buddy Walking Only: Several months
- Very slow but completely free
- Best as a supplementary method
- During Special Events: 1 week or less
- Dramatically increased coin rewards
- Bonus coins from research tasks
- Best time to grind for Gholdengo
Achievement: Collecting 999 coins is one of the most challenging evolution requirements in Pokemon GO. Take your time and celebrate when you reach this milestone!
Evolving Gimmighoul into Gholdengo
Once you’ve collected 999 Gimmighoul Coins, you can finally evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo:
Evolution Steps
- Collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins (check your bag to track progress)
- Obtain 50 Gimmighoul Candy (from catching Gimmighoul)
- Select a Gimmighoul from your Pokemon storage
- Tap the “Evolve” button
- The evolution will consume 999 coins and 50 candy
- Gimmighoul transforms into Gholdengo!
Important: Make sure you have your best IV Gimmighoul selected before evolving! The 999 coins are consumed during evolution, so choose wisely.
Getting Shiny Gimmighoul
Shiny Gimmighoul is available in Pokemon GO and has a distinctive golden appearance:
Shiny Gimmighoul Facts
- Best Source: Golden PokeStops with Golden Lure Modules
- Shiny Rate: Standard wild shiny rate (~1/500) normally
- Boosted at Golden Stops: Significantly higher shiny rate
- Appearance: Shiny Gimmighoul is more golden/brighter
- Shiny Gholdengo: Evolves into Shiny Gholdengo (silver/white color)
- Coin Requirement: Still needs 999 coins to evolve
About Gholdengo
Gholdengo is the evolved form of Gimmighoul and one of the newest Pokemon in Pokemon GO:
- Type: Steel/Ghost (unique typing)
- Max CP: Competitive for Master League battles
- Best Moveset: Hex (Fast), Shadow Ball (Charged)
- PvP Usage: Strong in Master League with unique typing
- Raid Usage: Good Ghost-type attacker
- Weaknesses: Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark-type moves
- Resistances: Resistant to 11 types (excellent defensive typing)
PvP Power: Gholdengo’s Steel/Ghost typing gives it resistance to Normal, Poison, Bug, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Rock, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, and Steel attacks!
Tips for Efficient Gimmighoul Farming
Maximize your Gimmighoul Coin collection with these strategies:
Farming Strategies
- Daily Coin Bag: Use it every single day without fail (consistency is key)
- Plan Your Sessions: Activate Coin Bag in areas with good spawns
- Use Quick Catch: Fast-catch technique to catch more Gimmighoul in 30 minutes
- Stock Pokeballs: Have 100+ balls ready before activating Coin Bag
- Track Progress: Check coins in your bag daily to monitor progress
- Event Planning: Save Golden Lures for Gimmighoul boost events
- Coordinate with Friends: Multiple players can use the same Golden PokeStop
- Buddy Progress: Keep Gimmighoul as buddy for passive coin generation
Do You Need Pokemon Scarlet/Violet?
This is one of the most common questions about Gimmighoul:
Nintendo Switch Requirement
Short Answer: Technically no, but it’s HIGHLY recommended.
Without Scarlet/Violet:
- You can only catch Gimmighoul from Golden PokeStops
- Golden Lures are rare and expensive
- Natural Golden PokeStops are extremely uncommon
- Collecting 999 coins would take months or years
With Scarlet/Violet:
- Daily access to Gimmighoul spawns via Coin Bag
- Consistent, reliable coin farming
- Can complete the evolution in 2-4 weeks
- One-time connection unlocks permanent Coin Bag
Friend Option: If you don’t own Scarlet/Violet, ask a friend who does to help you connect once. You only need to send one postcard to receive the Coin Bag permanently!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Having problems with Gimmighoul? Here are solutions to common issues:
Common Problems
Problem: Can’t connect to Pokemon Scarlet/Violet
- Ensure both devices are on same WiFi network
- Update both Pokemon GO and Scarlet/Violet to latest versions
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting
- Restart both devices
Problem: Coin Bag won’t activate
- Check if 24-hour cooldown has passed
- Send a new postcard to Scarlet/Violet
- Ensure you have bag space for items
Problem: Not enough Gimmighoul spawning
- Move to an area with better spawn density
- Ensure Coin Bag timer is still active
- Walk around to trigger spawns
- Check if event has ended (some events boost spawns)
Problem: Lost track of coin count
- Open your item bag
- Scroll to find “Gimmighoul Coin”
- Number shown is your current total
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trade Gimmighoul Coins?
No, Gimmighoul Coins cannot be traded. Each trainer must collect their own 999 coins.
Can I get multiple Gholdengo?
Yes! You can evolve as many Gimmighoul as you want, but each evolution requires 999 coins. Most trainers focus on getting one perfect IV Gholdengo first.
Do coins carry over between Gimmighoul?
Yes! Gimmighoul Coins are stored in your bag, not tied to individual Gimmighoul. You collect coins account-wide.
Is Gholdengo good in PvP?
Yes, Gholdengo is strong in Master League due to its unique Steel/Ghost typing and excellent resistances. It’s particularly effective against Psychic and Fairy-types.