Teams

Teams are in-game groups that Trainers can join, led by NPC Team Leaders. Trainers must be at least level 5 to join a team by tapping any Gym. A trainer's team is displayed in their profile.

Since February, 2019, Trainers are able to change their team, once a year, after purchasing for and activating a Team Medallion.

Gameplay
Team members can work together to defeat and claim enemy Gyms or help defend friendly Gyms. A trainer can spin a friendly Gym's Photo Disc to earn bonus items. Team members can also work together to earn bonus Premier Balls during Raid Battles, and the team that controls the Gym during the Raid will also earn bonus Premier Balls.

When a trainer joins a team, that team's leader will also provide Pokémon Appraisal. The information is the same between all three teams, but each team leader has different mannerisms when appraising a Pokémon.

Team affiliation does not have any other in-game effects. There are no team-exclusive Pokémon, and the mascot Pokémon do not have any extra effects for team members.

Descriptions
Each Team holds certain values, beliefs, and goals.

Team Valor relies on strength in battle. Valor's members believe that Pokémon are stronger and more warmhearted than humans and are interested in enhancing their natural power.

Team Mystic relies on analyzing every situation. Mystic's members believe that Pokémon have immeasurable wisdom and are interested in learning more about why Pokémon experience evolution.

Team Instinct relies on a trainer's instincts. Instinct's members believe that Pokémon have excellent intuition and are interested in learning more about its connection to the egg hatching process.

Trivia

 * Prior to version 0.135.0 and since the game's inception, Trainers were unable to change their team after choosing one.
 * A player who is not in any team is unable to use the Pokémon Appraisal feature. Instead of one of the Legendary birds, their profile would have a green logo of a Pokéball as a background.