All Shiny Eevee Evolutions: The Complete Pokémon GO Guide for 2026

Don’t waste your shiny Eevee! Get all shiny Eevee evolutions with our guaranteed nickname trick and repeatable methods. Updated and tested for Pokémon GO in 2026.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Jan. 27, 2026

That moment of excitement after catching a shiny Eevee is quickly followed by a single, anxious thought: “How do I evolve this without making a mistake?” The fear of getting a duplicate, wasting the one-time name trick, or ending up with the wrong evolution is real. This guide was created to eliminate that anxiety.

We provide a clear, tested roadmap for securing all eight shiny Eevee evolutions. From a visual comparison to help you choose, to the guaranteed nickname trick and the repeatable methods for building your collection, every technique has been verified on multiple devices running the latest version of Pokémon GO.

All 8 Shiny Eeveelutions: A Visual Comparison Guide

Before you commit your candy and your precious shiny, it’s crucial to see exactly what you’re getting. The primary appeal of any shiny is its unique color palette. Some Eeveelutions undergo a dramatic, can’t-miss transformation, while others are so subtle they can be disappointing.

This side-by-side comparison is designed to help you make an informed choice and manage your expectations.

All shiny Eeveelutions next to their normal-colored counterparts
All shiny Eeveelutions next to their normal-colored counterparts

To help you decide, here is a breakdown of what makes each of the shiny evolutions unique, along with some community perspective.

Evolution Shiny Color Palette Description
Vaporeon Vibrant Purple The most dramatic change of the original trio. Vaporeon’s standard blue body becomes a striking magenta/purple.
Jolteon Electric Green A significant and popular change. Jolteon’s yellow spikes and fur turn into a bright, lime green.
Flareon Muted Tan/Gold Very subtle change. Flareon’s orange fur becomes a slightly duller, tannish-gold. It’s often considered underwhelming by players, so look closely before you choose.
Espeon Deep Alien Green Another dramatic shift. Espeon’s psychic lilac fur transforms into a vivid, almost extraterrestrial green. A true standout.
Umbreon Blue Accents A fan-favorite for its sleek design. Umbreon’s yellow rings and eye color change to a cool, electric blue against its black body.
Leafeon Darker Accents A more subtle change. The green accents on Leafeon’s body become slightly darker and its overall body is a touch more tan.
Glaceon Icy Pale Blue Glaceon’s body becomes a significantly paler, more intense shade of ice blue, making it look even colder than its original form.
Sylveon Blue Accents An elegant color swap. All of Sylveon’s pink highlights, ribbons, and ears are inverted to a soft, sky blue.

The One-Time Nickname Trick: Your Guaranteed Evolution Method

The fastest and most reliable way to control your shiny Eevee evolution is the nickname trick. This method is a lifesaver, but it comes with a critical limitation that every trainer must understand to avoid regret.

Important Warning: The nickname trick works only once for each of the eight evolutions per account. If you use the name ‘Kira’ to evolve a shiny Eevee… you can never use that name again.

For trainers managing multiple accounts to collect all variants, using an efficient iOS data manager can help you keep your game data organized and safely backed up across devices. Wasting this one-time guarantee on a shiny Eevee with poor stats is a common mistake, so choose your candidate for this method wisely.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Follow these steps exactly to ensure the trick works correctly.

  • Select Your Shiny Eevee: In your Pokémon storage, tap on the specific shiny Eevee you wish to evolve.
  • Rename It: Tap the pencil icon next to its name. Enter the exact nickname from the list below that corresponds to your desired evolution. Capitalization must be correct.
  • Confirm the Silhouette: After renaming, do not evolve yet. Close the Pokémon’s screen and re-open it. The “Evolve” button should now display a silhouette of your chosen Pokémon. If it still shows a question mark, the game hasn’t registered the change. Restart the Pokémon GO app to force a sync with the server, then check again.
  • Evolve: Once the correct silhouette is visible, you can safely tap the “Evolve” button.
Nickname trick process in Pokémon GO
Nickname trick process in Pokémon GO

Complete Nickname List

  • To get Vaporeon: Rainer
  • To get Jolteon: Sparky
  • To get Flareon: Pyro
  • To get Espeon: Sakura
  • To get Umbreon: Tamao
  • To get Leafeon: Linnea
  • To get Glaceon: Rea
  • To get Sylveon: Kira

Repeatable Evolution Methods for After the Nickname Trick

Once you’ve used the one-time nickname for an evolution, you need sustainable methods to obtain more. These repeatable techniques are essential for building your collection of shiny Eeveelutions and work reliably in 2026.

 For Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon, the evolution is completely random after the nickname trick has been used. There is no repeatable method to control which of these three you get.

How to Evolve Espeon and Umbreon

For the Johto evolutions, the process is controlled by the buddy system and the in-game time of day.

  • Set as Buddy: Make the shiny Eevee you want to evolve your Buddy Pokémon.
  • Walk 10 km: Walk with your Eevee buddy until you have earned at least two candies. This confirms the 10 km distance requirement has been met. You can check the distance on the buddy screen.
  • Evolve at the Right Time: While the Eevee is still your buddy, tap the evolve button:
    • Evolve during the day (indicated by a bright sky in-game) to get Espeon.
    • Evolve during the night (indicated by a dark sky in-game) to get Umbreon. The silhouette on the evolve button will confirm the correct outcome before you spend the candy.

 Pro-Tip: Make sure you have a stable GPS signal before evolving for Espeon or Umbreon. If your GPS is drifting, the game might get confused about the time of day and give you the wrong evolution. If you frequently experience ‘GPS Signal Not Found’ errors, you may need to fix your iPhone location services to ensure your device’s GPS is calibrated correctly for these specific evolutions.

How to Evolve Leafeon and Glaceon

These Sinnoh evolutions are controlled by using specific Lure Modules at a PokéStop.

  • Go to a PokéStop: Find any PokéStop that does not already have an active lure.
  • Apply a Special Lure:
    • For Leafeon, use a Mossy Lure Module.
    • For Glaceon, use a Glacial Lure Module.
  • Evolve in Range: Stand close enough to the PokéStop to be within its radius. Select your shiny Eevee from your storage. The silhouette on the evolve button will change to either Leafeon or Glaceon, confirming you are in range. Tap to evolve.

How to Evolve Sylveon

The Kalos evolution, Sylveon, requires building a strong friendship with your shiny Eevee.

  • Set as Buddy: Make the shiny Eevee your buddy.
  • Earn 70 Hearts: Earn a total of 70 hearts with your buddy. You can do this by feeding it berries, playing with it, battling alongside it, and walking to new locations. This will raise your friendship level to “Great Buddy.”
  • Evolve: Once the 70-heart requirement is met, the evolve button will permanently show Sylveon’s silhouette. You can then evolve it at any time, even if it is no longer your buddy.

 Pro-Tip: To speed this process up significantly, feed your buddy a Poffin. A Poffin doubles the number of hearts you can earn in a day, cutting the time it takes to reach 70 hearts nearly in half.

Expert Analysis: Is There a ‘Rarest’ Shiny Eeveelution?

A frequent question among trainers is, “Which of the shiny Eevee evolutions is the rarest?”

The direct answer is: none of them are rarer than the others. The true rarity lies entirely in finding the initial shiny Eevee. Once you have it, any of its evolutions are equally obtainable if you use the correct method.

The perception of rarity often comes from the amount of effort required. A shiny Sylveon might feel rarer because earning 70 hearts is a more involved task than using a one-time nickname. Similarly, a shiny Vaporeon might feel rare because it’s one of three random outcomes. However, the base probability of obtaining one is identical to any other. This leads to a crucial strategic point that many players overlook.

In Pokémon GO, the real value isn’t perceived rarity—it’s control. Using your one-time nickname trick on a low-IV shiny Eevee is a common mistake that can’t be undone.

Instead of focusing on rarity, focus on making a strategic choice. The nickname trick is your most valuable tool for these evolutions. The most common mistake is to use it on the first shiny Eevee you catch, regardless of its stats. The superior strategy is to save the trick for a shiny Eevee with a high IV rating, ensuring your one-time guarantee is used on a Pokémon that is not just rare, but also powerful.

Pro Strategy: When to Evolve Your Shiny Eevee (and When to Wait)

The decision of which shiny to get is important, but the question of when to evolve is even more critical. Acting too quickly can lead to lasting regret. Before you evolve, assess your goals and the Pokémon’s potential.

Always Check the IVs First

Your shiny Eevee’s Individual Values (IVs) determine its maximum CP and combat performance. A shiny is a rare cosmetic variant, but a shiny with high IVs is a true prize. To check its potential, tap the menu on the Pokémon’s screen and select “Appraise.”

  • 0-2 Stars: This shiny is best kept for collection purposes. Evolve it using a repeatable method to fill a Pokédex entry, but do not use a one-time nickname trick on it.
  • 3 Stars (or 4-Stars/Hundo): This is a top-tier catch. A shiny Eevee with high stats is the ideal candidate for using your guaranteed nickname trick or for investing the time required for the buddy evolution methods.
In-game appraisal system for a Pokémon
In-game appraisal system for a Pokémon

Consider Waiting for a Special Event

Sometimes, the best strategy is to keep your shiny Eevee unevolved. Niantic frequently holds special events, such as a Community Day Classic, that grant Eeveelutions exclusive, powerful moves. Evolving during these specific event windows can make your shiny Pokémon significantly more useful in raids or PvP battles.

If you aren’t in a rush, holding onto your high-IV shiny Eevee could pay massive dividends in the future. Just ensure your phone stays updated to support new event features; if you encounter issues during an iOS update, a professional system recovery tool can get your device back in the game without losing your precious Pokémon data.

With these tested methods and strategic considerations, you have everything you need to evolve your prized shiny Eevee with confidence. You are no longer gambling with a rare catch; you are making a deliberate, informed choice.

The frustration of getting a random, unwanted evolution or wasting a valuable nickname on a weak Pokémon is a thing of the past. You have all the techniques needed to build your collection of shiny Eeveelutions exactly the way you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are all the shiny Eevee evolutions?

There are eight shiny Eevee evolutions available in Pokémon GO: Vaporeon (purple), Jolteon (green), Flareon (tan), Espeon (green), Umbreon (black with blue rings), Leafeon (darker green accents), Glaceon (pale ice blue), and Sylveon (blue accents).

2. Which shiny Eevee evolution is the rarest?

None are rarer than others. The rarity is in finding the shiny Eevee itself. Once you have it, all evolutions are equally obtainable using the correct methods. Perceived rarity is usually based on the effort required for the evolution method.

3. How do I choose which shiny Eevee to evolve?

First, choose the shiny color palette you like best from a visual comparison. Second, and more importantly, check the Eevee’s IVs using the in-game “Appraise” feature. Prioritize evolving a shiny Eevee with 3-star stats, as it will be more powerful in battles.

4. Does the Eevee nickname trick work for shiny Eevee?

Yes, the nickname trick works perfectly for shiny Eevee. However, it only works once per evolution per account. For example, once you use “Sparky” to get a Jolteon, you can never use that name to guarantee another Jolteon.

5. Can I control the shiny evolution in Pokémon GO?

Yes. You can guarantee any of the eight evolutions one time using the specific nickname trick. After that, you can use repeatable methods to reliably obtain Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon. Evolutions for Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon are random after the nickname trick is used.

6. Is it better to keep shiny Eevee unevolved?

Sometimes, yes. If you have a shiny Eevee with high IVs, it can be strategic to wait for a special event like a Community Day. Evolving during these events can grant your Eeveelution an exclusive move that is not normally available, making it much more valuable.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Joy Taylor is a seasoned technical writer with over a decade of experience in mobile technology. At iMobie, she specializes in producing in-depth content on iOS data recovery, iPhone unlocking solutions, and iOS troubleshooting.

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