If you’re a Pokémon trainer who’s been playing the game throughout the franchise’s history, you better hope you’ve already got this handy app to help transfer Pokémon from the earlier generations to newer games. Pokémon Bank is finally free for everyone who owns the application on their 3DS console but is now unobtainable for new users due to the Nintendo eShop closing down for good for the Wii U and 3DS consoles.

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For those who don’t know, Pokémon Bank is a software that allows trainers to transfer their older gen Pokémon so they can be accessible in newer gen games. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company gave trainers nearly a year to sort out their eShop purchases and downloads and announced that store will close on March 27, 2023.

According to Serebii.net, users who previously downloaded Pokémon Bank before the store’s closure can now use all the app’s features for free. It is also important to note that trainers should have also downloaded the Poké Transporter app prior to the eShop’s closure so they’re able to transfer Pokémon from the virtual console to modern games.

Serebii Update: The Nintendo 3DS eShop will now no longer allow for new purchases. As such, Pokémon Bank is now free to use for the foreseeable future

— Serebii.net (@SerebiiNet) March 28, 2023

While some trainers can use the app for free and have begun transferring their old Pokémon to newer titles, some reported that the app is still unusable. Trainers claimed that they can’t use Poké Transporter to transfer Pokémon captured from the virtual console to Pokémon Bank since it’s still asking users to pay for a subscription that no longer exists.

I renewed my Pokemon Bank a couple of weeks ago for a video, & Poke Transporter works.
However, some are claiming that if your Bank Pass expired at store closure time (30 minutes ago) that you cannot currently use it despite Nintendo stating it will be free. We will have to wait…

— Austin John Plays (@AustinJohnPlays) March 28, 2023

Fans who did not have an active Pokémon Bank subscription (now impossible to purchase) are reporting that they cannot utilize Poké Transporter even though Bank is technically now free of cost

— PokéJungle: Gen IX (@pokejungle) March 28, 2023

I called it! I knew PKMN/Nintendo would pull this type of crap and not FULLY explain everything.

Pokémon Bank is free, Yes. BUT, you still had to BUY a pass to DOWNLOAD Poké Transporter before the eShop closed. You literally cannot do that now UNLESS you hack your system.

— Team BIG FOOT (@oddishu) March 28, 2023

Poké Transporter doesn't work after the 3DS eshop closing (I downloaded it when I had my subscription active)#eShop #Pokemon #PokemonBank

— Eduardo Quezada | BLM (@AsparagusEdu) March 28, 2023

So for those keen to catch them all, we hope you used the ample time that Nintendo has given you to get the app. If you missed out, the only solution is either to ask a friend who did download the app or have someone hack your console. Hopefully, the company also fixes the Poké Transporter issues so virtual games can also be added. It’s currently unknown when Pokémon Bank will shut down its service for good, but at least the app is still usable despite the eStore’s closure.