Poké Transporter Access Restored: Pokémon Bank Now Free Following Nintendo 3DS eShop Closure

Following the closure of the Nintendo 3DS eShop, many Pokémon fans experienced disruptions with Poké Transporter, the companion app designed to transfer their Pokémon from earlier generations on the Nintendo 3DS.

The Pokémon Company has now confirmed that the login issues affecting Poké Transporter have been resolved, allowing users who have the application installed on their Nintendo 3DS systems to regain full access. Poké Transporter, paired with Pokémon Bank, has played a vital role in the Pokémon ecosystem since its initial launch in 2014.

Pokémon Bank enabled players to store and transfer their Pokémon between various titles on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

The service was later succeeded by Pokémon Home on the Nintendo Switch in 2020, offering expanded cloud capabilities for newer generations.

Despite this transition, many trainers continue to rely on Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter for managing creatures from earlier games. Recently, following the end of support for purchases on the Nintendo 3DS eShop, some users reported receiving an error message when opening Poké Transporter stating their Pokémon Bank pass had expired, thus preventing access to the app.

According to Serebii.net and an official update from the Japanese Pokémon website, while access was initially restricted for those without a current Pokémon Bank pass, the application has since been made free for all who have previously downloaded it.

Users who renewed their subscription shortly before the eShop shutdown reported uninterrupted access. Players now opening Pokémon Bank on their Nintendo 3DS are greeted with a new status message indicating a 'Free trial period,' rather than a countdown of days remaining on their subscription.

The duration of this free access remains unspecified, and as of now, The Pokémon Company has not announced an official end date for Pokémon Bank or Poké Transporter services. With Pokémon Bank available at no charge, trainers are encouraged to migrate their Pokémon collections while the service remains operational.

The transition to Pokémon Home on Nintendo Switch, which launched in 2020, continues to be the primary means for transferring Pokémon into the most recent games.

For many longtime fans, the closure of the 3DS eShop marks the end of an era, but the Pokémon community can take comfort in the extended lifespan of these essential apps. For further updates on Pokémon Bank, Poké Transporter, and other Nintendo 3DS software news, stay tuned to reliable sources such as Serebii and official Pokémon Company communications.

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