How to Catch Gimmighoul and Evolve Gholdengo in Pokémon Go: Coin Bags, Golden PokéStops, and Shiny Tips!

Looking to catch Gimmighoul and evolve it into Gholdengo in Pokémon Go? Whether you’re a casual player or a Pokédex completionist, here’s a straightforward, no-nonsense guide to using Coin Bags and golden PokéStops to get these unique Pokémon. No fluff—just everything you need to know, step by step!

How to connect Pokémon Go with Scarlet and Violet
How Coin Bags and Golden Lure Modules work
How to find and evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo
Details on shiny Gimmighoul and golden PokéStops
Extra tips for collecting Gimmighoul Coins

How do golden PokéStops work in Pokémon Go?

You might have spotted gold or yellow PokéStops on your map and wondered what they’re all about. Golden PokéStops appear for a few reasons:

When someone uses a Golden Lure Module
During special events, like “A Paldean Adventure” (September 2023) or the “9th Anniversary Party” (July 2025)
At in-person events such as Go Fest

Spinning these special PokéStops gives you Gimmighoul Coins, and with some luck, you might even encounter Roaming Form Gimmighoul. But remember, you need a Golden Lure Module to turn a regular PokéStop gold, and only those will spawn Gimmighoul—not just any random golden PokéStop from an event.

How to catch Gimmighoul using the Coin Bag

If you want to catch Gimmighoul in Pokémon Go, you’ll need to connect your game to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on Nintendo Switch. Here’s how to do it:

Connecting Scarlet and Violet with Pokémon Go

Open the Poké Portal in Scarlet or Violet
Select “Mystery Gift,” then “Connect to Pokémon Go”
In Pokémon Go, go to Settings > Nintendo Switch
Choose “Pair with a Pokémon Go account” in Scarlet/Violet
Follow prompts to complete the connection

Getting and using the Coin Bag

Once connected, open Mystery Gift in Scarlet/Violet and select “Connect to Pokémon Go” twice (from both menus)
In Pokémon Go, go to your Postcard Book (below your trainer level on your profile)
Select a postcard, tap the menu, and choose “Send to Nintendo Switch”
Wait for your Switch to receive it as a Mystery Gift
After sending, use the Coin Bag from your inventory
For 30 minutes, catch as many Gimmighoul as you can!

Can you get Gimmighoul without Scarlet and Violet?

*Yes, but it’s not as easy.* The only consistent way is to visit a PokéStop that’s gold thanks to a Golden Lure Module. These modules are usually obtained by sending Postcards from Pokémon Go to Scarlet/Violet, so if you don’t have the Switch games, your options are limited. Sometimes, Gimmighoul appears in Timed Research or Field Research during special events like the “9th Anniversary Party,” but don’t count on it being a regular thing.

How to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo

Here’s where it gets grindy: Gimmighoul doesn’t use candy to evolve. You’ll need to collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins—just like in Scarlet and Violet. You’ll get coins mainly from spinning golden PokéStops and sometimes by catching Gimmighoul. Once you hit 999 coins, go to your Gimmighoul’s summary screen and select “Evolve.” Simple, but it takes patience!

Can Gimmighoul be shiny?

Yes! Starting with the 9th Anniversary event, shiny Gimmighoul is available in Pokémon Go. But as always, it’s all about luck—so keep spinning those golden stops and using your Coin Bag.

How to get Golden Lure Modules

After your first Postcard send (which gets you the Coin Bag), every five days you send a Postcard to Scarlet/Violet, you’ll receive a Golden Lure Module in Pokémon Go. *It doesn’t have to be five days in a row—just five days total.* Remember, you can only hold one Golden Lure Module at a time. If you have one, you’ll get coins instead.

At the moment, there’s no other way to get Golden Lure Modules without owning Scarlet or Violet.

Other tips and things to know

You can’t use the Coin Bag if you have other Incense active (including the Meltan Mystery Box).
The Coin Bag can only be used once per day.
Roaming Form Gimmighoul is exclusive to Pokémon Go—though as of July 2025’s 9th Anniversary, you can send it to Pokémon Home and then to Scarlet/Violet.
Chest Form Gimmighoul isn’t available in Pokémon Go (yet!).
When this feature launched, the in-game shop gave all players nine free Gimmighoul Coins for a limited time.