How To Get Umbreon In Pokemon GO - Complete Evolution Guide 2026

Umbreon, the Dark-type Eeveelution, is one of the most powerful Pokemon for PvP battles in Pokemon GO. This guide covers both methods to evolve Eevee into Umbreon in 2026.

Quick Answer: Use the name trick “Tamao” (one-time only) or walk 10km with Eevee as your buddy, earn 2 candies, then evolve it at night (after 8pm local time) with 25 candies.

Method 1: Name Trick (One-Time Only)

The easiest and fastest way to get Umbreon is using the naming trick, but it only works once per account.

Name Trick Steps

  1. Catch an Eevee (preferably high IV or shiny)
  2. Tap on Eevee and select the pencil icon next to its name
  3. Rename it to “Tamao” (case-sensitive)
  4. Check that Umbreon’s silhouette appears on the Evolve button
  5. Use 25 Eevee Candy to evolve

Important: The name trick can only be used once per Eeveelution. Save it for a high-quality Eevee with great stats or a shiny!

Method 2: Buddy Walking Method (Repeatable)

After using the name trick, you’ll need to walk 10km with Eevee as your buddy and evolve it during nighttime hours to get additional Umbreons.

Buddy Walking Steps

  1. Set Eevee as Your Buddy
    • Tap your Trainer profile icon
    • Select your current buddy and choose “Swap Buddies”
    • Choose the Eevee you want to evolve
  2. Walk 10 Kilometers
    • Walk at least 10km with Eevee as your buddy
    • Earn at least 2 Eevee candies during this walk
    • This confirms you’ve met the distance requirement
    • Adventure Sync distance counts toward this goal
  3. Keep Eevee as Your Buddy
    • Eevee MUST still be your active buddy when you evolve
    • Do NOT swap buddies before evolving
    • If you swap, you’ll need to walk 10km again
  4. Evolve at Night
    • Wait until nighttime in-game (after 8pm local time)
    • Check that Umbreon’s silhouette appears on the Evolve button
    • If you see a question mark, requirements aren’t met yet
    • Tap Evolve and use 25 Eevee Candy

Critical: You MUST evolve Umbreon at night! If you evolve during the day (sunrise to 8pm), you’ll get Espeon instead. Always verify the Umbreon silhouette appears before evolving!

Understanding Nighttime in Pokemon GO

Timing is everything when evolving Umbreon. Here’s what you need to know about nighttime mechanics:

  • Nighttime Hours: 8:00 PM to sunrise in your local time zone
  • Daytime Hours: Sunrise to 7:59 PM in your local time zone
  • Visual Cue: The game background will be dark/night themed during nighttime
  • Safest Times: Evolve between 9pm-11pm to ensure you’re well into nighttime
  • Weather doesn’t matter: Only the in-game time of day matters, not real weather

Pro Tip: Before evolving, always check the silhouette on the Evolve button. If it shows Umbreon’s shape, you’re good to go. If it shows a question mark or Espeon, either you haven’t met the requirements or it’s not nighttime yet!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many trainers accidentally get the wrong evolution. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls:

  • Evolving too early: Make sure you’ve walked the full 10km and earned 2 candies
  • Wrong time of day: Don’t evolve before 8pm or you’ll get Espeon
  • Swapping buddies: Keep Eevee as your active buddy until after evolution
  • Not checking the silhouette: Always verify Umbreon appears before tapping Evolve
  • GPS issues: Make sure your GPS is working properly to track distance accurately

Getting Shiny Umbreon

To get a Shiny Umbreon, you must first catch or hatch a Shiny Eevee, then evolve it using either method above:

  • Shiny Eevee can be found in the wild (very rare, approximately 1/500 odds)
  • Increased shiny rates during Community Day events
  • Can be hatched from eggs
  • Once you have a Shiny Eevee, use the same evolution methods
  • The shiny form of Umbreon has blue rings instead of yellow

About Umbreon

Umbreon is a powerful Dark-type Pokemon with exceptional defensive capabilities:

  • Type: Dark
  • Best Fast Move: Snarl
  • Best Charged Move: Foul Play
  • Usage: Exceptional in Great League PvP, very tanky and bulky
  • Strengths: High Defense and Stamina stats make it excellent for PvP
  • Weaknesses: Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type moves
  • Resistances: Resistant to Ghost, Dark, and Psychic-types
  • PvP Rating: Consistently ranked in top tier for Great League

Best Uses for Umbreon

Umbreon excels in specific roles within Pokemon GO:

  • Great League PvP: One of the best tanks, can outlast many opponents
  • Ultra League: Viable but faces more competition from other Dark-types
  • Gym Defense: Very defensive but low attack makes it suboptimal for gyms
  • Raids: Not recommended due to low attack stat
  • Team Rocket Battles: Excellent choice against Psychic and Ghost-type grunts

IV Tip: For PvP, look for Umbreon with low Attack and high Defense/HP stats. The ideal Great League Umbreon is often 0/15/15 or similar spreads that maximize stat product under 1500 CP!

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I evolve during the day?

You’ll get Espeon instead of Umbreon. Always check the silhouette and evolve at night!

Can I use Adventure Sync for the 10km walk?

Yes! Distance tracked through Adventure Sync counts toward the 10km requirement.

Do I need to earn exactly 2 candies?

No, you need to earn at least 2 candies. Since Eevee gives 1 candy per 5km walked, earning 2 candies confirms you’ve walked 10km.

What if the silhouette shows a question mark?

This means you haven’t met all requirements. Check: Is it nighttime? Have you walked 10km? Is Eevee still your buddy?

Does weather affect evolution?

No, only the in-game time of day matters, not real-world weather conditions.

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