TL;DR:
Want to get Jirachi in Pokémon GO in 2026? You can still unlock it through the Special Research A Thousand-Year Slumber, but Shiny Jirachi is no longer available in current events. This guide shows you exactly how to get Jirachi, complete every research stage step by step, and finish tasks faster with practical tips.
"How do I get the normal Jirachi quest? I have the shiny, did I have to pay for it?"
- From Facebook
Jirachi is one of the most popular Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon GO thanks to its cute design and strong Psychic/Steel typing. However, unlike common Pokémon, Jirachi cannot be found in the wild, raids, or eggs.
Instead, players must complete specific Special Research tasks to encounter it. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to get Jirachi in Pokémon GO, whether it's still available, and how to complete the required challenges efficiently.
In short, standard Jirachi is still permanently available in Pokémon GO, but Shiny Jirachi is currently not obtainable through any new events.
Regular Jirachi Availability
The Special Research story A Thousand-Year Slumber was released globally in 2019 and is still permanently available for all trainers.
As long as you have access to the required prerequisite Special Research (such as earlier Mythical Pokémon quests), you can unlock and complete the seven-stage story at your own pace.
Once completed, you will receive a guaranteed Jirachi encounter. This encounter:
Shiny Jirachi Availability
Shiny Jirachi was introduced through the paid Masterwork Research: Wish Granted, which was exclusive to the Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn event in 2023.
As of 2026, this Masterwork Research has not returned, meaning:
Jirachi is a Mythical Pokémon, which means it follows strict game limitations:
Because of these restrictions, Special Research is the only legitimate way to obtain standard Jirachi in Pokémon GO.
The only way to obtain Jirachi in Pokémon GO is by completing the Special Research story A Thousand-Year Slumber, which is divided into seven stages.
Before you can start this quest, you must first complete the Celebi Special Research (A Ripple in Time). Once that requirement is finished, the Jirachi research will automatically appear in your account.
Stage 1. Getting Started
In the first stage, you will complete basic exploration tasks such as catching Pokémon, spinning PokéStops, and adding new friends.
This stage is designed to introduce players to the research system and can be completed quickly.
Stage 2. Hoenn Region Challenges
This stage focuses on Hoenn-related Pokémon and progression tasks.
You will need to:
This is often considered one of the more time-consuming stages.
Stage 3. Buddy and Throwing Skills
Here, you will focus on gameplay mechanics such as:
This stage encourages consistent daily gameplay.
Stage 4. Psychic & Steel Pokémon Collection
You will need to catch a large number of Psychic- or Steel-type Pokémon and perform basic power-ups and gifting tasks.
This stage may take longer if these Pokémon are not common in your area.
Stage 5. Battle Challenges
This stage focuses on PvP and raids, including:
It is designed to test your combat participation.
Stage 6. Advanced Skill Tasks
You will complete more advanced actions such as:
At this stage, consistency matters more than speed.
Stage 7. Final Completion
Once Stage 6 is completed, all final tasks will automatically unlock.
After claiming the rewards, you will trigger a guaranteed encounter with Jirachi.
This encounter is special because:
Shiny Jirachi was first introduced through a paid Masterwork Research called Wish Granted, which was part of the Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn 2023 event. During the event, trainers could access the research in two ways:
Players who purchased the ticket were able to complete a long and resource-heavy research storyline, eventually earning a guaranteed Shiny Jirachi encounter.
Shiny vs Regular Jirachi Appearance
The two forms are very similar, but collectors can easily tell them apart:
Because of its unique color variation and extremely limited availability, Shiny Jirachi remains one of the most desirable Mythical Pokémon in the game.
Some steps in the A Thousand-Year Slumber Special Research require visiting PokéStops, catching region-specific Pokémon, or completing tasks that are easier when you can explore different areas. If you don't have enough nearby locations, this can slow down your progress.
In this case, many players choose a GPS location tool like Location Spoofer to simulate movement in Pokémon GO. Using Location Spoofer can help you save time when completing long-distance or PokéStop-related tasks in Jirachi's Special Research.
Key features of Location Spoofer:
How to use Location Spoofer for playing Pokémon GO without moving?
01Download and install Location Spoofer on your Windows PC or Mac. After installation, launch the program and connect your iPhone or Android device via USB cable or wireless connection.
02Once your device is detected, you will see different mode options. Select the "Gaming" mode to optimize the tool for Pokémon GO.
03Choose "Teleport Mode", then enter the location name or GPS coordinates you want to move to. Click the "Move" button to instantly change your virtual location.
04Open Pokémon GO on your mobile device. The game will now reflect your new location. You can also switch to joystick mode or use route simulation to make movement appear more natural while playing.
1. Why can't I unlock A Thousand-Year Slumber?
If you don't see the A Thousand-Year Slumber Special Research in your account, it is usually because you haven't completed the required prerequisite tasks yet.
In most cases, you must first finish earlier Mythical Pokémon research such as A Ripple in Time (Celebi). Once that condition is met, the Jirachi Special Research will automatically appear in your Research tab. It may also take some time to show up, so restarting the app can help refresh your tasks.
2. Can I get more than one Jirachi?
In general, each Pokémon GO account can only obtain one standard Jirachi through Special Research.
This is because Mythical Pokémon encounters are designed as one-time rewards per account. However, Niantic may occasionally introduce different forms or special versions in future events, but duplicate standard Jirachi encounters are not normally available.
3. Can Jirachi be traded?
No, Jirachi cannot be traded in Pokémon GO.
As a Mythical Pokémon, Jirachi is restricted from the trading system, which means it cannot be sent to other players under any circumstances. This rule applies even between Best Friends and during Special Trades.
Because of this limitation, the only way to obtain Jirachi is by completing its Special Research.
Jirachi remains one of the most rewarding Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon GO. While it cannot be found in the wild, raids, or eggs, players can still obtain it through the A Thousand-Year Slumber Special Research once the required conditions are completed. Shiny Jirachi, however, was only available through the limited-time Wish Granted Masterwork Research during the Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn 2023 and has not returned since.
Since some research tasks require extensive exploration and visiting different locations, tools like Location Spoofer can help simulate movement and make it easier to complete certain location-based objectives. Overall, completing Special Research step by step remains the only official way to obtain Jirachi in Pokémon GO.
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