How to Get Umbreon in Pokémon GO: Every Evolution Method and Trick Explained for 2026

Learn how to get Umbreon in Pokémon GO with our guaranteed 2026 guide. Master the name trick, the 10km walking method, and new Dynamax updates!

We’ve all been there—pressing “Evolve” on a high-IV Eevee and holding our breath, hoping for that sleek, Dark-type favorite, only to end up with another Jolteon. It’s frustrating, right? But here is the good news: getting Umbreon doesn’t have to be a guessing game. In the current 2026 meta, Umbreon remains a cornerstone of competitive play and a crown jewel for collectors.

Whether you are a competitive player looking for a Great League tank or a collector chasing those glowing blue rings on a Shiny, I’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll walk through the guaranteed methods to get your Umbreon every single time, including the new 2026 Dynamax updates, the latest meta-strategies, and event-specific bonuses. Let’s dive in!

Using the Legendary “Tamao” Name Trick to Get Umbreon Instantly

If you need an Umbreon right this second, the name trick is your best friend. This is a special “Easter egg” in Pokémon GO that pays homage to the Kimono Sisters from the classic Johto games (specifically from the Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal era). This method bypasses all walking and friendship requirements, providing an immediate evolution for just 25 Eevee Candy.

Step-by-Step Tutorial for the One-Time Nickname Hack

Select the Eevee you want to evolve from your storage.
Tap the pencil icon next to its name to enter the renaming menu.
Change its name to Tamao.
Pro Tip: After renaming, close and restart your Pokémon GO app. This forces a sync with the Niantic servers to ensure the name “sticks” across all sessions.
Check the “Evolve” button. You should see the clear, dark silhouette of Umbreon instead of the random question mark (?).
Hit evolve and enjoy your new Dark-type companion!

Important Warnings for Trainers Using the Name Trick

It is vital to remember that the how to get umbreon in pokemon go name trick only works once per account. If you have already used the name “Tamao” to get an Umbreon in 2023, 2024, or 2025, it will not work again in 2026. If you try to use it a second time, the evolution will revert to being random (Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon). Because of this “one-and-done” nature, veteran players often recommend saving this trick for a “Perfect IV” (15/15/15) Eevee or a Shiny variant.

Master the Buddy Walking Method: How to Get Umbreon Without the Name Trick

Already used your name trick? No problem! You can get as many Umbreons as you want by putting in a little footwork. This is officially known as the “Buddy Method,” and it mimics the “High Friendship at Night” mechanic from the core Pokémon RPGs. This is the primary answer for trainers asking how to get umbreon in pokemon go without name trick.

Requirements for the 10km Walking Challenge

To earn another Umbreon, you must satisfy a set of strict “Friendship” criteria:

Step 1: Set Eevee as Your Buddy. Open your trainer profile, tap on your current buddy, and swap in the specific Eevee you wish to evolve.
Step 2: Walk 10km. You must cover a total of 10 kilometers with that Eevee as your active buddy.
Step 3: Earn 2 Candies. Along that 10km journey, you must earn at least two candies. This is a failsafe to ensure the game has tracked your distance correctly.
Step 4: Keep Eevee as Your Buddy. This is the part most people forget! You must keep that Eevee as your active buddy at the exact moment you press the evolve button. If you un-buddy it, the evolution will not be guaranteed.

The Critical Nighttime Evolution Requirement in Pokémon GO

Umbreon is the “Moonlight Pokémon,” so the sun must be down for this evolution to work. Evolving during the day will result in an Espeon instead.

Nighttime Timing: The game’s day/night cycle typically follows your local sunset. In 2026, the game is more accurate than ever with localized lighting, but it generally shifts between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM depending on your latitude.
Visual Indicators: Look for the dark blue/purple map color, the presence of stars and a moon in the skybox, and the shift to the mellow nighttime music track.

How to Confirm the Umbreon Evolution Silhouette Before Clicking Evolve

Before spending your 25 Eevee Candy, always perform the “Silhouette Test.” If you have successfully walked 10km and it is officially nighttime in-game, the “Evolve” button will change from a “?” to the distinct silhouette of Umbreon (pointed ears and tail). If you still see a question mark or an Espeon silhouette, do not press it! You may need to walk an extra 0.1km or wait a few more minutes for the sun to fully set.

Special Variants: Shiny, Costume, and the New 2026 Dynamax Umbreon

As we move through the 2026 season, Eevee has more forms than ever. Whether you’re hunting a blue umbreon in pokemon go or a giant titan, here is how you handle them.

Glowing Blue Rings: How to Evolve Shiny Umbreon

Shiny Umbreon is one of the most sought-after shinies in the game. Its yellow rings turn a brilliant neon blue, and its eyes shift from red to yellow.

Guaranteed Shiny: The process is the same—either use the “Tamao” name trick or the 10km walking method.
Tip: If you have multiple Shiny Eevees, prioritize the one with the best IVs for the Great League. Use third-party apps like PokeGenie or Calcy IV to check if your shiny has the optimal “0/15/15” stat spread for PvP.

Event Exclusives: Flowers, Scarfs, and Tiaras

Throughout 2025 and 2026, Niantic has released various costume Eevees, including those with Flower Crowns, Holiday Hats, or Explorer Scarfs.

Retention: When you evolve a costume Eevee, the resulting Umbreon will retain that costume.
Exceptions: Be careful with special “Event Only” Eevees from certain GO Fest or Safari Zone events. Some costumes are “non-evolvable.” If the “Evolve” button is missing entirely from your costume Eevee, it cannot become an Umbreon.

Scaling Up: How to Evolve Dynamax Eevee into Umbreon for Max Battles

The biggest addition to the 2026 game is the Dynamax mechanic. Trainers can now encounter Eevee at Power Spots across the map.

Evolving Dynamax Eevee: You can evolve a Dynamax Eevee into a Dynamax Umbreon using the standard 10km walking method.
Max Moves: A Dynamax Umbreon can use Max Darkness to lower the opponent’s Defense in Max Battles. You will need to collect Max Particles and Eevee Candy to unlock and level up its Max Moves. This makes Umbreon a unique defensive pillar for high-tier Max Battles.

Strategic Edge: Best Umbreon Movesets and PvP Rankings for 2026

Umbreon is famously known as a “tank.” It has massive Defense and HP, making it a nightmare for opponents to take down.

Dominate the Great League with the Optimal Moveset

In the 1500 CP Great League, Umbreon is often ranked as a top-tier “Safe Swap.” * Fast Move: Snarl is mandatory. It offers the best energy generation, allowing Umbreon to spam its Charged Moves.

Charged Move 1: Foul Play provides consistent, low-cost Dark-type damage.
Charged Move 2: This is where things get technical. You almost always want a “Legacy Move” for coverage.

Investing for the Ultra League: XL Candies and 100% IVs

Umbreon is also viable in the 2500 CP Ultra League, but it requires a massive investment.

The 100% IV Rule: Unlike the Great League, you want a “Hundo” (15/15/15) for the Ultra League because Umbreon’s max CP at Level 50 is only 2416 (or 2445 at Level 51 with the Best Buddy boost).
XL Candies: You will need 296 XL Eevee Candies and roughly 500,000 Stardust to reach this level. This is a “pro” project that turns Umbreon into an unstoppable wall against Psychic and Ghost types like Giratina or Cresselia.

How to Secure Legacy Moves like Last Resort and Psychic

Umbreon struggles against Fighting and Fairy types. To combat this, you need its special event moves:

Last Resort: A Normal-type move that allows Umbreon to hit other Dark-types for neutral damage.
Psychic: Added in more recent events, this allows Umbreon to surprise and potentially KO Fighting-type counters.
How to get them: These moves are usually only available during Eevee Community Day events. If you missed the event, you must use an Elite Charged TM—a rare item found in End-of-Season rewards or special Shop boxes.

Comparing the Trio: Umbreon, Espeon, and Sylveon Requirements

Because Eevee has so many branches, it’s easy to get confused. Here is the 2026 cheat sheet for the “Friendship” trio:

Pokémon	Primary Type	Evolution Requirement	Specific Condition	Name Trick
Umbreon	Dark	Walk 10km as Buddy	Nighttime	Tamao
Espeon	Psychic	Walk 10km as Buddy	Daytime	Sakura
Sylveon	Fairy	Earn 70 Buddy Hearts	None	Kira

Troubleshooting 101: Why Your Eevee Evolution Failed

If you’ve followed the steps but didn’t get your Umbreon, don’t panic. This is a common topic on pokemon go reddit threads. Here is what likely happened.

Identifying Common Mistakes with Buddy Walking and Time of Day

The “?” Symbol: Never hit evolve if you see a question mark. It indicates the game hasn’t validated your 10km or the time of day.
Adventure Sync Delays: Sometimes the 10km shows on your screen, but the server thinks you’ve only walked 9.9km. Always walk an extra half-kilometer (10.5km total) to ensure the requirement is fully met.
The Active Buddy Rule: You cannot walk an Eevee, swap it out for another Pokémon, and then evolve it from your storage. The Eevee must be your active buddy when you press evolve.

Impact of GPS Signals and Network Stability on Evolution

Pokémon GO relies on your GPS to determine your local time and “Day/Night” status.

Signal Drift: If you are inside a large building or have a “GPS Not Found” error, the game defaults to random evolution.
Solution: Step outside or near a window and ensure your map is loaded properly before evolving.

Pro Tips for the 2026 Season: Community Days and Research Tasks

Level 42 Eeveelution Challenge Strategy

To reach Level 42, players must complete a task to “Evolve Eevee into each of its unique evolutions.” * Save the Tricks: If you are a new player, save your “Tamao” name trick specifically for this level task to save yourself hours of walking.

Tracking: Keep a notepad or use the Niantic Campfire app to track which forms you have already completed.

Capitalizing on Eevee Community Day Bonuses

Niantic frequently runs “Eevee Community Day Classic” events. During these windows:

Reduced Distance: The 10km requirement is often slashed to 1km.
Free Legacy Moves: Evolving during the event hours automatically grants Last Resort.
Increased Shinies: This is the best time to hunt for that “Blue Umbreon.”

Final Success Checklist: Your Guaranteed Path to Umbreon

Before you spend those 25 candies, run through this final list to ensure a 100% success rate:

Check the Name: If using the trick, is it spelled Tamao (case-sensitive)?
Check the Distance: If walking, does the Eevee’s buddy screen show 10km+ walked?
Check the Candy: Did you earn at least 2 candies from walking?
Check the Sky: Is the in-game map Dark with stars visible?
Check the Button: Does the evolve button show the Umbreon silhouette?

If all five are “Yes,” you are ready to evolve! Umbreon is more than just a fan favorite; it’s a loyal, bulky companion that remains one of the most iconic parts of the Pokémon GO experience.

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