Knowing how to evolve Inkay is essential if you want to get Malamar, as there's no other way to obtain the powerful squid. The method here is unique, as no other Pokémon evolves this way, but we can tell you exactly what to do, along with where you can get Inkay.
To make the most out of Malamar once you get the dark Pokémon, check out our dark Pokémon weakness guide. We also have a complete Pokédex if you want to learn about the other beasts in the franchise.
Let's dive into our how to evolve Inkay guide.
How do I evolve Inkay in Pokémon Go?
You need to give Inkay 50 candies and turn your phone upside down to evolve into Malamar in Pokémon Go. However, while the candy count isn't as high as other evolutions, it may still take a while, unless you get lucky and encounter an outbreak of Inkay. Once you do have the 50 candies, follow these steps:
- Select Inkay in your Pokémon Go roster
- Turn your phone upside down
- Make sure the red evolution button is now green
- Hit the green button
- Take to battle with Malamar!
How do I evolve Inkay in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the most recent game in which Inkay and Malamar appear, with their only other Switch appearance being in Sword and Shield. As you've probably come to expect from them, the evolution method is still a bit unorthodox. You need to get Inkay to level thirty and then:
- Turn your Switch or Switch 2 upside down
- hit pause
- Select Inkay
- Hit evolve
- Have fun exploring Lumiose with Malamar
How do I evolve Inkay in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Evolving Inkay in Sword and Shield has the same basic premise, but it's slightly different from Legends: Z-A:
- Level up at level 30 or higher
- Turn your Nintendo Switch upside down before the dialogue ends (this is easier in handheld mode)
- Make sure not to press B through the evolution process
- Explore Galar with Malamar!
All previous games featuring Malamar and Inkay require the same steps as above.
Where can I catch Inkay?
In Sword and Shield, you can catch Inkay:
- Route 7
- Route 9
- Bridge Field
- Dusty Bowl
- Giant's Mirror
- Hammerlocke Hills
- Watchtower Ruins
- West Lake Axewell
- Motostoke Riverbank
- Stony Wilderness
In Legends: Z-A, you can catch Inkay in:
- Wild Zone 11
- Sewers
That's everything you need to know about how to catch Inkay in the Nintendo Switch Pokémon games.