Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to evolve Inkay in Pokémon Go and the main series of Pokémon games. The method is a little different between the two games, but there’s still enough in common so that with one read of this guide, you won’t ever need to remind yourself how to get hold of Malamar in your next Pokémon adventure.
For more catch-em-all companion guides, be sure to browse through our picks of the best dog Pokémon, cat Pokémon, snake Pokémon, spider Pokémon, monkey Pokémon, bear Pokémon, and bird Pokémon from across the franchise.
Let’s dive into our how to evolve Inkay guide.
Who is Inkay?
Inkay is an adorable little dark and psychic Pokémon creature that originates from the Kalos region and is number 686 in the Pokédex. If you stare at this creature for too long, you may lose yourself in the lights that emit from the spots on its head, losing your will to fight. Funnily enough, this is how it hunts its prey.
Who is Malamar?
As Inkay’s evolution, Malamar also makes its first appearance in Kalos and is number 687 in the Pokédex. This creature is a bit of a beast with its psychic prowess, as it’s known to be one of the most powerful mind readers out there. In fact, Malamar is so compelling that it can force others to do its bidding. It’s believed that Malamar plays a role in some history-defining events, though we don’t know which onese those are.
Perhaps one comforting thing about being under Malamar’s control is that when you come to, you have no recolection that it even happened. We assume that can only be a good thing until people start yelling at you for something you have no clue about.
How do I evolve Inkay in Pokémon Go?
In Pokémon Go, it takes 50 Inkay candies to evolve into Malamar. The best way to get the candy is to take Inkay on a little walk, maybe battle with it, or even catch more Inkay. After you get the 50 Inkay candies, complete the following steps to evolve Inkay into Malamar:
- 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 Sword and Shield?
Pokémon Sword and Shield is the most recent main series Pokémon title with Inkay as an available monster. Rather than collecting 50 Inkay candies like in Pokémon Go, in Sword and Shield, you need to ensure your gen 6 Pokémon is about to hit level 30 or higher before trying this method.
- 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!
If you’re playing an earlier title that features Inkay, you need to follow the same method as above.
Where can I catch Inkay in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
It’s no use knowing how to evolve Inkay if you don’t actually have one, so allow us to explain where you can catch Inkay in Sword and Shield:
- Route 7
- Route 9
- Bridge Field
- Dusty Bowl
- Giant’s Mirror
- Hammerlocke Hills
- Watchtower Ruins
- West Lake Axewell
- Motostoke Riverbank
- Stony Wilderness
Make sure you check out our dark Pokémon weakness and psychic Pokémon weakness guides for tips on how to catch Inkay.
There you have it, how to evolve Inkay, so you can grab a big squid ready for battle. Of course, there are other evolutions out there, and we’re ready to help teach you how to evolve Charcadet, how to evolve Pawmo, how to evolve Primeape, how to evolve Riolu, how to evolve Sneasel, how to evolve Finizen, and more.