How to play Scarlet and Violet with friends

Forming or joining a group

Complete enough of the opening to access the relevant multiplayer features. Open the Poké Portal and choose Union Circle. One player forms the group and others join using the code the game displays. Make sure everyone is using the same connection mode.

For internet play, follow the game’s connection prompt and check Nintendo Switch Online requirements. Players standing nearby on local wireless should not troubleshoot an internet lobby when their intention is local play.

Know what the group actually shares

Union Circle supports exploring the world together. It does not make every Gym challenge or story objective a single shared battle. Players can be in the same session while making progress through activities individually.

Trades, direct battles and Tera Raid joining have their own menus and rules. If your goal is to exchange a Pokémon, use Link Trade rather than waiting for an exploration lobby to trigger a trade automatically.

If the code does not work

1. Confirm whether the host selected local or online mode.
2. Ask the host for the current code rather than reusing a previous session’s code.
3. Check that the group is still accepting players and has not already departed.
4. Confirm the software is updated and the required account or membership is available.

Avoid posting a private group code publicly if you want only your friends to join. If the wrong people enter, reforming the group is usually clearer than trying to repurpose an already shared code.

Plan the session around one goal

Exploring, helping with a raid and arranging a trade are different activities. Agree on what everyone is trying to do so one person does not start a story battle while another is waiting at a raid crystal.

Nintendo’s support guide below documents the separate local and online options. Interface labels can change with updates, so use those instructions if a menu differs from an older video.