How to get Shiny Ditto in Pokemon Go

Brent Koepp
Screenshot of Shiny Ditto from Pokemon anime next to Pokemon Go logo.

The iconic Generation 1 shapeshifting Pokemon, Ditto, can be a bit difficult to catch in Pokemon Go, which makes its Shiny form that much rarer. Here’s everything trainers need to know about catching a Shiny Ditto in Pokemon Go.

Despite making its debut in Pokemon Go back in November 2016, the ever-elusive Gen 1 monster, Ditto, only received its Shiny form in February 2021 during the Kanto Tour event, where it was locked behind a ticketed Special Research story.

Thankfully, there are now more methods than ever before for trainers who want to get their hands on Ditto — though it’s going to take some luck to encounter one that’s shiny.

Below, we’ll go over all the ways Trainers can finally get their hands on a Shiny Ditto free.

How to get Shiny Ditto in Pokemon Go

Screenshot of Shiny Ditto in Pokemon Lets Go Pikachu.
Pokemon Go players have a few ways they can find a Shiny Ditto.

Ditto is one of the trickiest monsters to catch in Pokemon Go, as the adorable pink blob can disguise itself as an ever-changing roster of other creatures, so getting a Shiny version is even harder than normal.

Fortunately, there are a couple of different ways to encounter a Shiny Ditto in Pokemon Go:

  • Completing the Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto Special Research story.
  • Getting lucky and encountering a Shiny Ditto in the wild.

Below, we’ll explain all three of these methods in detail, so hopefully, you’ll be catching a Shiny Ditto in no time!

1. Finding a Shiny Ditto in the wild

Pokemon Go Shiny Ditto
Trainers can now encounter a Shiny Ditto in the wild.

One of the biggest changes that September 2021’s Season of Mischief introduced was that Shiny Ditto is no longer exclusive to the ticketed Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto Special Research and can be encountered in the wild.

This means all Trainers now have the chance to encounter and catch a Shiny Ditto anytime. Doing this won’t be easy, though, as Ditto takes on various disguises on the overworld. Check out our Ditto guide for the latest tips.

While it’s worth pointing out that this is the most difficult way to find a Shiny Ditto it will be many trainers’ best and only option as of November 2023.

2. Shiny Ditto via Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto Special Research

Screenshot of Pokemon Go Kanto Tour.
Trainers had a chance to encounter Shiny Ditto in the Kanto Tour event.

Through an event featured on February 20, 2021, trainers who purchased a ticket for the Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto event were able to complete a Special Research story that guaranteed an encounter with Shiny Ditto.

Sadly, there’s no way to access this Special Research anymore if you haven’t already purchased a ticket for the Kanto event. However, if you do have access to the Special Research you can find all of the tasks and rewards below.

Step 1

  • Claim Reward (Poke Ball x 10)
  • Claim Reward (Razz Berry x 3)
  • Claim Reward (Potion x 3)

Total Rewards: 150 XP, Incense x 3, Charmander/Bulbasaur Encounter

Step 2

  • Use an Incense (Poke Ball x 50)
  • Catch 30 Pokemon ( Tangela Encounter)
  • Take a snapshot of Charmander/Bulbasaur (Poffin x 1)

Total Rewards: Poke Ball x 50, Chansey Encounter, Charmander/Bulbasaur Candy x 25

Step 3

  • Earn 3 hearts with your buddy (Stardust x 300)
  • Catch 30 Pokemon (500 XP)
  • Evolve a Charmander/Bulbasaur (Charmander/Bulbasaur Candy x 25)

Total Rewards: Incense x 2, Cubone Encounter, Ultra Ball x 25

Step 4

  • Use an Incense (Egg Incubator x 1)
  • Send 3 Gifts to friends (Pinap Berry x 5)
  • Trade 3 Pokemon (Red or Green) with a friend (Charmander/Bulbasaur Candy x 25)

Total Rewards: Stardust x 500, Lickitung Encounter, Cubone Candy x 25

Step 5

  • Make 3 Nice Throws in a row (Aerodactyl Encounter)
  • Catch 10 different species of Pokémon (Star Piece x 1)
  • Use 20 Berries to help Catch Pokemon (Red or Green) (Charmander/Bulbasaur Candy x 25)

Total Rewards: Premium Battle Pass x 1, Snorlax Encounter, Cubone Candy x 25

Step 6

  • Power up Pokemon 5 times (Red or Green) (Charmander/Bulbasaur Candy x 25)
  • Battle in 3 Raids (Mewtwo Candy x 20)
  • Evolve 1 Pokemon (Tour Cap x 1)

Total Rewards: Fast TM x 1, Lapras Encounter, Charged TM x 1

Step 7

  • Catch 30 Pokemon (3000 XP)
  • Catch 15 different species of Pokemon (Rare Candy x 3)
  • Transfer 20 Pokemon (3000 XP)

Total Rewards: Lure Module x 1, Shiny Ditto Encounter, Lucky Egg x 1

Step 8

  • Claim Reward (3000 XP)
  • Claim Reward (Stardust x 3000)
  • Claim Reward (3000 XP)

Total Rewards: Ditto Candy x 20, Mew Candy x 20, Ditto Sticker x 10

Ditto being added as a Shiny didn’t come as too much of a surprise, as Niantic’s Kanto Tour blog post back in December 2020 revealed that all 150 Gen 1 Pokemon would soon be getting the rare form.

That’s everything trainers need to know about finding a Shiny Ditto in Pokemon Go! For more Pokemon Go guides, check out the links below:

Best Pokemon in Pokemon Go | All upcoming Spotlight Hours | Arlo counters guide | Cliff counters guide | Giovanni counters guide | Sierra counters guide | Grunt counters guide | How to catch a Ditto | What are Strange Eggs? | How to get Remote Raid Passes | Fastest way to get Best Buddy status | Pokemon Go catching tips | Pokemon Go promo codes

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About The Author

Brent is a former writer at Dexerto based in the United States, who covered topics such as Pokemon, Gaming, and online Entertainment.