Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare Pokémon that differ in coloration from their regular appearance. These color variations may range from minor hue adjustments to completely altered palettes. Only one shiny variation exists for each Pokémon.

In the Map View and tracker, shiny Pokémon are shown in their regular coloration until they appear on the encounter screen or on the summary page, where they have an aura of stars around them, a shiny tab shown above the CP and their different coloration is visible. A shiny Pokémon may not appear shiny to nearby Trainers.

Once a player captures a shiny Pokémon, their Pokédex will show that they have captured it and additional switch buttons for shiny forms will unlock in each individual Pokédex entry.

List of Shiny Pokémon
Almost all Shiny forms of Pokémon are currently in game data, but only some of them are currently available to obtain by players in gameplay.

History
Shiny Pokémon were released on following dates:

2017
March: August: October: December:
 * March, 2017 – The first available Shiny Pokémon in the game – Shiny Magikarp and Gyarados began appearing.
 * It might be reference to original game series as Shiny Gyarados, located at the Lake of Rage, was the Pokémon used to introduce Trainers to shiny Pokémon.
 * August, 2017 – Shiny Pikachu, Raichu and Pichu were released on the first day of the Pokémon GO Park event, in Yokohama, Japan.
 * October, 2017 – Shiny Sableye began appearing on the first day of the Halloween event of 2017.
 * October, 2017 – Shiny Duskull and Dusclops began to appear on the seventh day of the event.
 * October, 2017 – Shiny Shuppet and Banette began to appear on the twelfth day of the event.
 * December, 2017 – Shiny Mawile and Absol began being available to catch in Raid Battle Bonus Challange, after main release of Hoenn-region Pokémon.
 * December, 2017 – Shiny Snorunt and Glalie began appearing along with release twenty Water and Ice-type Pokémon from Hoenn region and Delibird.

2018
January: February: March: April: May: June: July: August: September: October: November: December:
 * January, 2018 – Shiny Aron, Lairon and Aggron began appearing along with release of Ground and Rock-type Pokémon from Hoenn region.
 * February, 2018 – Shiny Swablu and Altaria began appearing along with release of Flying and Dragon-type Pokémon from Hoenn region.
 * February, 2018 – Shiny Luvdisc became available to catch in wild with the beginning of the Valentine's Day 2018.
 * February, 2018 – Shiny Poochyena and Mightyena became available to obtain with the start of Lunar New Year 2018.
 * February, 2018 – Shiny Dratini, Dragonair and Dragonite began appearing on the February Community Day.
 * March, 2018 – Shiny Lugia was made available to be caught in Raid Battle Bonus Challange with the second temporal release of it as a Legendary Raid Boss.
 * Shiny Lugia is the first Shiny Legendary Pokémon available in the game.
 * March, 2018 – Shiny Magby, Togepi, Wynaut and their families were released with the beginning of the Eggstravaganza 2018.
 * March, 2018 – Shiny Bulbasaur, Ivysaur and Venusaur became available on the March Community Day.
 * March, 2018 – Shiny Murkrow became available to capture with the start of April Fools' Day.
 * April, 2018 – Shiny Mareep, Flaaffy and Ampharos became available on the April Community Day.
 * April, 2018 – Shiny Wailmer and Wailord became available with the start of the Earth Day 2018.
 * May, 2018 – Shiny Makuhita, Hariyama, Meditite and Medicham became available with the start of the Battle Showdown 2018.
 * May, 2018 – Shiny Ho-Oh was made available to be caught in Raid Battle Bonus Challenge with the its second temporal release as a Legendary Raid Boss.
 * May, 2018 – Shiny Charmander, Charmeleon and Charizard became available on the May Community Day.
 * May, 2018 – Shiny Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops and Aerodactyl were released with the start of the Adventure Week 2018.
 * June, 2018 – Shiny Shellder, Cloyster and Kyogre became available with the beginning of the Water Festival 2018.
 * June, 2018 – Shiny Larvitar, Pupitar and Tyranitar became available on the June Community Day.
 * June, 2018 – Shiny Roselia was released with the beginning of the Pokémon GO Safari Zone in Dortmund.
 * July, 2018 – Shiny Articuno became available to capture on the Articuno Day mini event.
 * July, 2018 – Shiny Squirtle, Wartortle and Blastoise became available on the July Community Day.
 * July, 2018 – Shiny Plusle and Minun were released with the beginning of the 2018 edition of Pokémon GO Fest 2018.
 * July, 2018 – Shiny Zapdos became available to capture on the Zapdos Day mini event.
 * August, 2018 – Shiny Snubbull, Granbull, Houndour and Houndoom became available.
 * August, 2018 – Shiny Eevee and its branched evolutionary line became available to capture on the August Community Day.
 * August, 2018 – Shiny Natu, Xatu, Sunkern, Sunflora, Pineco and Forretress became available with the start of the Johto Festival.
 * August, 2018 – Shiny Wingull and Pelipper became available with the start of the Safari Zone event in Yokosuka, Japan.
 * September, 2018 – Shiny Growlithe and Arcanine were released to the gameplay.
 * September, 2018 – Shiny Moltres became available to capture on the Moltres Day mini event.
 * September, 2018 – Shiny Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Grimer and Muk became available with the start of Ultra Bonus Event 2018.
 * September, 2018 – Shiny Chikorita, Bayleef and Meganium became available on the September Community Day.
 * October, 2018 – Shiny Krabby and Kingler became available.
 * October, 2018 – Shiny Drowzee and Hypno became available with the start of Psychic Spectacular 2018.
 * October, 2018 – Shiny Nidoran♀, Nidorina and Nidoqueen became a available in celebration of International Day of the Girl Child.
 * October, 2018 – Shiny Shinx, Luxio and Luxray were released.
 * October, 2018 – Shiny Beldum, Metang and Metagross became available on the October Community Day.
 * October, 2018 – Shiny Drifloon and Drifblim became available with the start of Halloween 2018.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Pinsir was released with the start of Safari Zone in Tainan.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Caterpie, Metapod and Butterfree became available.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Gengar became available from Raid Battles during the Special Raid Challenge. After the challenge had ended, Niantic announced that Shiny Gastly became available in the wild.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Cubone , Marowak, Alolan Marowak , Ponyta and Rapidash became available.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Budew was released.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Cyndaquil, Quilava and Typhlosion became available on the November Community Day.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Elekid and Electabuzz were released with the beginning of Hatchathon. Shiny forms of cross-region Pokémon Roserade, Honchkrow, Electivire, Magmortar, Togekiss and Dusknoir were released.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Magnemite and Magneton became available with the start of Let's Go Celebration.
 * November, 2018 – Shiny Alolan Raichu became available.
 * December, 2018 – Shiny Misdreavus and Mismagius became available.
 * December, 2018 – Shiny Sandshrew and Sandslash became available during the Tottori Festival in Japan.
 * December, 2018 – Shiny Azurill, Marill, Azumarill and Delibird became available with the start of Holiday 2018.

2019
January: February: March: April: May: June: July: August: September: October: November: December:
 * January, 2019 – Shiny Totodile, Croconaw and Feraligatr became available on the January Community Day.
 * January, 2019 – Shiny Zigzagoon, Linoone, Taillow, Swellow and Groudon became available with the start of Hoenn Celebration 2019.
 * January, 2019 – Shiny Feebas and Milotic became available at the start of the January Limited Research event.
 * January, 2019 – Shiny Psyduck and Golduck became available with the start of Safari Zone in Porto Alegre.
 * January, 2019 – Shiny Froslass was released.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Spoink and Grumpig became available with the start of Lunar New Year 2019.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Meltan and Melmetal became available for a limited time.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Cleffa, Clefairy, Clefable, Smoochum and Jynx became available with the start of Valentine's Day 2019.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Swinub, Piloswine and Mamoswine became available on the February Community Day.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Latias became available.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Clamperl, Huntail and Gorebyss became available at the start of the February Limited Research event.
 * February, 2019 – Shiny Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Rattata and Raticate became available with the start of Pokémon Day 2019.
 * March, 2019 – Shiny Mankey, Primeape, Machop, Machoke and Machamp became available with the start of Battle Showdown 2019.
 * March, 2019 – Shiny Lunatone and Solrock became available with the start of the Equinox 2019.
 * This makes them the first shiny region-exclusive Pokémon available in the game.
 * March, 2019 – Shiny Treecko, Grovyle and Sceptile became available on the March Community Day.
 * March, 2019 – Shiny Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, and Castform became available at the start of the March Limited Research event.
 * April, 2019 – Shiny Scyther and Scizor became available with the start of the Bug Out event.
 * April, 2019 – Shiny Bagon, Shelgon and Salamence became available on the April Community Day.
 * April, 2019 – Shiny Latios became available.
 * April, 2019 – Shiny Igglybuff, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Buneary and Lopunny became available with the start of the Eggstravaganza 2019.
 * April, 2019 – Shiny Lapras and Shuckle became available during Safari Zone in Sentosa.
 * April, 2019 – Shiny Diglett and Dugtrio became available with the start of the Earth Day 2019.
 * May, 2019 – Shiny Seel and Dewgong became available.
 * May, 2019 – Shiny Aipom and Ambipom became available with the start of the Detective Pikachu Celebration.
 * May, 2019 – Shiny Magnezone, Leafeon and Glaceon were released.
 * May, 2019 – Shiny Torchic, Combusken and Blaziken became available on the May Community Day.
 * May, 2019 – Shiny Bronzor and Bronzong became available with the start of the Extraordinary Raid Week.
 * May, 2019 – Shiny Cresselia became available.
 * June, 2019 – Shiny Onix, Steelix, Lileep, Cradily, Anorith and Armaldo became available with the start of Adventure Week 2019.
 * June, 2019 – Shiny Slakoth, Vigoroth and Slaking became available on the June Community Day.
 * June, 2019 – Shiny Horsea, Seadra and Kingdra became available with the beginning of the 2019 edition of Chicago Pokémon GO Fest.
 * June, 2019 – Shiny families of Alolan Rattata, Sandshrew, Vulpix, Diglett, Meowth, Geodude, Grimer and Exeggutor became available with the start of 3rd Anniversary.
 * June, 2019 – Shiny Raikou became available to capture during the Special Raid Challenge.
 * July, 2019 – Shiny pattern 8 of Spinda became available.
 * July, 2019 – Shiny Nidoran♂, Nidorino and Nidoking became available with the beginning of the 2019 edition of Dortmund Pokémon GO Fest.
 * July, 2019 – Shiny Entei became available to capture during the Special Raid Challenge.
 * July, 2019 – Shiny Mudkip, Marshtomp and Swampert became available at the beginning of the July Community Day.
 * July, 2019 – Shiny Ekans, Arbok, Zubat, Golbat, Koffing, Weezing, Crobat, Sneasel and Weavile became available at the launch of Team GO Rocket Disruption.
 * July, 2019 – Shiny Rayquaza became available.
 * August, 2019 – Shiny Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir and Gallade became available at the beginning of the August Community Day.
 * August, 2019 – Shiny Bonsly and Sudowoodo became available at the beginning of the Gift Event.
 * August, 2019 – Shiny Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath and Politoed became available at the beginning of the 2019 Pokémon GO Fest in Yokohama, Japan.
 * August, 2019 – Shiny Suicune became available to capture during the Special Raid Challenge.
 * August, 2019 – Shiny Carvanha, Sharpedo, Barboach and Whiscash became available with the start of Water Festival 2019.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Electrike, Manectric and pattern 3 of Spinda became available.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Sentret, Furret, Gligar and Gliscor became available at the beginning of the Johto Journey.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Farfetch'd , Kangaskhan, Mr. Mime, and Tauros became available at the beginning of the second week of the Ultra Bonus Event 2019.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra became available at the beginning of the September Community Day.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Mewtwo, families of Patrat, Lillipup and Klink became available at the beginning of the third week of the Ultra Bonus Event.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Yanma and Yanmega became available with the start of Safari Zone in Montreal.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Altered Forme Giratina became available in Legendary Raid Battles.
 * September, 2019 – Shiny Zangoose, Seviper and Mime Jr. became available at the beginning of the World Tourism Day.
 * October, 2019 – Shiny Oddish family became available at the beginning of Safari Zone in New Taipei City.
 * October, 2019 – Shiny Trapinch, Vibrava and Flygon became available at the beginning of the October Community Day.
 * October, 2019 – Shiny Yamask and Cofagrigus became available with the beginning of Halloween 2019 event.
 * November, 2019 – Shiny Skarmory, Regirock, Regice and Registeel became available with the beginning of A Colossal Discovery. Shiny pattern 1 of Spinda also became available.
 * November, 2019 – Shiny Meowth and Persian became available with the beginning of Team GO Rocket Leaders Disruption.
 * November, 2019 – Shiny Chimchar, Monferno and Infernape became available at the beginning of the November Community Day.
 * November, 2019 – Shiny Tentacool and Tentacruel became available with the beginning of Supereffective Week.
 * December, 2019 – All shiny forms of Burmy, Wormadam and Mothim became available with the beginning of the Evolution Event.
 * December, 2019 – Shiny forms of Gible, Gabite and Garchomp became available with the Pokémon egg shuffle.
 * December, 2019 – Shiny Stantler, Snover and Abomasnow became available with the beginning of the Holiday 2019 event.

2020
January: February: March: April: May:
 * January, 2020 – Shiny pattern 7 of Spinda became available.
 * January, 2020 – Shiny Wurmple became available with the beginning of the Hatchathon 2020. However, its shiny evolution was not available yet because party hat Wurmple cannot evolve.
 * January, 2020 – Shiny Heatran became available.
 * January, 2020 – Shiny Silcoon, Beautifly, Cascoon and Dustox became available after the end of Hatchathon event.
 * January, 2020 – Shiny Piplup, Prinplup and Empoleon became available at the beginning of the January Community Day.
 * February, 2020 – Shiny Minccino and Cinccino became available at the start of the Limited Research event.
 * February, 2020 – Shiny Riolu, Lucario, Hippopotas and Hippowdon became available at the start of the Sinnoh Celebration event.
 * February, 2020 – Shiny Happiny, Chansey and Blissey became available at the start of the Valentine's Day 2020 event.
 * February, 2020 – Shiny Lickitung and Lickilicky became available during the Special Raid Challenge of the Valentine's Day event.
 * February, 2020 – Shiny Rhyhorn, Rhydon and Rhyperior became available on the February Community Day.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny pattern 6 of Spinda became available.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Darkrai became available on Special Raid Weekend.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Skorupi and Drapion became available during Team GO Rocket Global Take-over.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Timburr, Gurdurr and Conkeldurr became available at the start of the GO Battle League Season 1 Launch Celebration.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Cobalion became available.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Nincada and Ninjask became available during A Drive to Investigate.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Teddiursa and Ursaring became available at the beginning of the Safari Zone in St. Louis.
 * March, 2020 – Shiny Baltoy and Claydol became available during the Psychic Spectacular 2020.
 * April, 2020 – Shiny Croagunk and Toxicroak became available during the Tricky Pokémon event.
 * April, 2020 – Shiny Exeggcute and Exeggutor became available at the start of the Spring Event.
 * April, 2020 – Shiny Chinchou and Lanturn became available at the beginning of the Safari Zone in Liverpool.
 * April, 2020 – Shiny Volbeat and Illumise became available at the start of the Buddy Up event.
 * April, 2020 – Shiny Abra, Kadabra and Alakazam became available on the April Community Day.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Venonat and Venomoth became available at the start of the Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto event.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Dunsparce became available at the start of the Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto event.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Voltorb and Electrode became available at the start of the Philadelphia Safari Zone.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Virizion became available.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Skitty and Delcatty became available at the start of the Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn event.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Terrakion became available.
 * May, 2020 – Shiny Glameow and Purugly became available at the start of the Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh event.

Trivia

 * Normally, evolved stages of Pokémon cannot be shiny in encounter screen, including Pokémon evolved from Baby Pokémon (except Pikachu, Chansey, Mr. Mime and Roselia). As a result, evolved shiny Pokémon can only obtained by evolution. There were exceptions in events such as:
 * Nidorina and Nidoqueen in Female Day;
 * Gengar and Kanto starters in Special Raid Challenge;
 * Party hat Raticate and Wobbuffet;
 * Gyarados and Magmar in Lunar New Year 2020. Magmar still can be found shiny in the wild after the event;
 * Sudowoodo in Tricky Pokémon. Sudowoodo still can be found shiny in the wild after the event;
 * Marill in Spring Event; Marill still can be found shiny in the wild after the event;
 * Wobbuffet in Pokémon Spotlight Hour. Wobbuffet still can be found shiny in the wild after the event.
 * Shiny Pokémon cannot be batch-transferred, and Trainers will be notified if they try to transfer them.
 * Shiny Pokémon remains shiny after being evolved.
 * Also Pokémon cannot become shiny via evolving a non-shiny one.
 * Unlike the case with seeing regular Pokémon in the Gym, seeing Shiny Pokémon in the Gym for the first time, before capturing them, won't unlock the Pokémon's shiny form switches in Pokédex summary page.
 * There are also no file assets for form switches of only-seen Shiny Pokémon in Pokédex.
 * Registering a shiny Pokémon will also register the non-shiny form to the Pokédex, if the Pokémon was not previously registered.
 * Shiny Legendary Pokémon have a 100% catch rate in Raid Battles (unless certain GPS error occurs), but remain the same catch rate in Research Breakthrough.
 * Sableye, Mawile, Absol, Budew, Roserade, Honchkrow, Electivire, Magmortar, Togekiss, Dusknoir, Mamoswine, Magnezone, Leafeon, Glaceon, Mime Jr. and the evolution lines of Snorunt, Aron, Swablu, Shinx, Drifloon, Clamperl, Patrat, Lillipup, Klink, Yamask and Minccino are the Pokémon to have both regular and shiny forms released at the same time.
 * In the main Pokémon series, the Gold and Silver versions were the first games to introduce shiny Pokémon.
 * Along with releases of new Legendary Raid Bosses in 2017, assets for shiny forms of these Legendary Pokémon are also added to the game.
 * Shiny Zapdos was temporally available from Raid Battle in 2017 due to game creators' mistake.
 * During the Halloween event in 2017, there were shiny forms of Gastly family members added to game data, although they weren't released to be caught in gameplay.
 * Along with each release of selected Pokémon from Hoenn region, there are added to game data all of the sprites for shiny forms of respective Pokémon.
 * Since then, the shiny sprites of later regions are added to the game with their normal versions.
 * Between April and, players started noticing that 2D sprites of Kanto- and Johto-region Pokémon had changed, thus they started speculating that during the Kanto Celebration event some or even more of shiny variants of these Kanto Pokémon might be released.
 * Moreover, Reddit user u/Chrales through the data-mining found and revealed that in fact plenty of 2D sprites for shiny variants of Kanto- and Johto-region Pokémon had been added to the game server. However none of these Shiny Pokémon had their in-game 3D models added by that time.
 * Despite all of these 2D sprites of Shiny Pokémon being added to the game, none of Pokémon had their shiny variant released during the Kanto Celebration event.
 * On each Community Day there is significantly higher chance to encounter shiny form of featured Pokémon that generally spawns more often during this event.
 * Research estimates that there was a 1 in 22.7 chance of capturing a shiny Pikachu during the first Community Day.
 * Shiny Shuckle became available for a short period of time before that start of the Safari Zone in Sentosa.