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How to Evolve Shiny Inkay in Pokémon GO [Complete Guide]

author Molly Snyder Update on August 6, 2025

Inkay is a Dark/Psychic-type Pokémon from the Kalos region. It comes with one of the most interesting evolution mechanics in the entire game. Its evolution is not just like the typical evolution. It requires a specific device movement with Inkay Candy.

If you want to know how to evolve Inkay in Pokémon GO, you are in the right spot. This guide will explain everything you need to know, from basic Inkay stats to catching and evolving a shiny Inkay efficiently. Let’s begin!

Part 1: Things You Should Know Before Evolving Inkay

To evolve Inkay to Malamar, it is important to know its basic stats and requirements to evolve it efficiently.

inkay evolve

1. Inkay Pokémon’s Basic Features

Inkay is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon introduced in Generation VI. It was added to Pokémon GO during the Psychic Spectacular event. It stands out for its quirky evolution method and adorable design. It is a solid utility in limited PvP leagues.

  • Pokédex Number: #686
  • Max CP: 1048
  • Best Moveset: Tackle, Foul Play, Psycho Cut, Superpower
  • Type Strengths: Strong against Psychic and Ghost-types
  • Weaknesses: Bug, Fairy

Inkay is one of the most powerful attackers. It is also a collector’s favorite due to its unusual evolution and its shiny form, which was introduced during later event rotations.

inkay

2. Essential Requirements to Evolve Inkay

Before you can evolve Inkay into Malamar, there are a few things to keep in mind. The evolution requirements are unlike any other Pokémon:

  • 50 Inkay Candy is required.
  • You must hold your phone upside down when you hit the “Evolve” button.
  • Your device’s orientation sensor must be active.
  • Works only during specific events or if you have previously caught Inkay.

This method mimics the evolution from the mainline Pokémon games, where players had to physically flip their consoles to evolve Inkay. Pokémon GO adapts this with a mobile-friendly twist.

Note:
This mechanic will not work if your phone’s auto-rotate is disabled or if you are using a device with a faulty gyroscope.

Part 2: How to Evolve Inkay in Pokémon GO

Now let’s walk through the actual evolution steps. Use Pinap Berries or walk it as your Buddy to farm faster. Gather 50 Inkay candies for evolution. Make sure that Inkay is added to your Pokédex. This method works for both regular and shiny Inkay Pokémon GO versions.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Open your phone settings and make sure auto rotation is active.
  2. Flip your device upside down. You will see that the “Evolve” button will change its color.
  3. evolve inkay

  4. The “Evolve” button only activates if the phone orientation is correct. Tap on “Evolve.”
  5. Watch Inkay Evolve into Malamar.

This mechanic can feel unusual at first, but it adds a fun and interactive twist. If the button remains greyed out, double-check your phone’s sensors or screen lock orientation.

Important:
If you are attempting to evolve a shiny Inkay Pokémon GO, the process is exactly the same. Shiny Malamar is a fantastic purple-toned evolution that stands out in any collection.

Part 3: 4 Tips to Catch Inkay in Pokémon GO

Catching Inkay is challenging because it appears at specific events during specific spawn hours. With these four practical tips, you can boost your catch rate and fill your Candy pool quickly.

Tip 1: Auto-Catch Inkay and Spoof in Pokémon GO

To catch Inkay you need to spend hours. If you want to catch Inkay quickly without grinding, MocPOGO will help you automate the process. It is a top-rated GPS spoofing and auto-catch tool designed specifically for Pokémon GO. It helps players:

  • Simulate walking routes in real-time.
  • Use auto-catching to farm Inkay without manual throws.
  • Visit high Inkay spawn zones anywhere in the world.
  • Catch Pokémon hands-free, even shiny Inkay.

If you are trying to figure out how to evolve Inkay in Pokémon GO faster, this tool is a game-changer. You can rack up enough candies and catch multiples (including shiny forms) in a short time. Plus, you can use Joystick Mode or the Two-Spot Mode for more control.

anygo logo
MocPOGO
Best Pokemon Go Auto Catcher
Available for:

168,282 people have downloaded it.

  • Fly Anywhere with Bluetooth: No Cracked Apps!
  • Best Pokemon Go spoofer on Android/iOS devices.
  • Simulate GPS movement with customized speeds.
  • Import popular GPX route files for next use.
  • Support GPS joystick to play AR game on PC.
  • Compatible with iOS 26 & Android 15.

Here are the steps on how you can do it without a computer:

Step 1 Download MocPOGO iOS app. Open the app and select the “Go Catcher” icon.

Step 2 Pair Go Catcher with Pokémon GO game. Open Pokémon GO and tap on Settings > Connected Devices → Select Go Catcher (a virtual Pokémon GO Plus).

mocpogo go catcher successfully connected

Step 3 The auto catcher will start catching Inkay automatically hands-free.

mocpogo go catcher successfully cactched

Tip 2: Hunt During Psychic or Dark-Type Events

Inkay spawns more frequently during themed events like Psychic Spectacular, Dark-themed events, or special Inkay spotlight hours. Keep an eye on Niantic’s event schedule to benefit from these spawn boosts.

Shiny Inkay is also released during one of these events. These windows are your best opportunity to build a full evolution line of shiny Malamar.

Tip 3: Use Lures and Incense Near PokéStops

Chances to catch Inkay in foggy and windy weather are higher because these weather conditions boost Inkay’s spawn rate. In these weather conditions, you can activate Lure Modules or Daily Adventure Incense to increase your chances of attracting Inkay. Magnetic and regular lures both work, but the spawn results can be varied by the weather. It is a passive method, especially when paired with auto-catching via MocPOGO.

Pro Tip:
Use this method while multitasking at home. Just keep your phone running with Incense active and auto-catch enabled.

Tip 4: Track Inkay with a Nearby Tracker or IV Map

If you are manually playing, consider using external tools like Poké Radar apps or other Pokémon Maps to track live spawns. Inkay spawns can appear randomly. Some tools allow real-time tracking with filters for IV, level, and even shiny potential.

Some Pokémon GO communities also report Inkay nests. You can check Pokémon GO Maps or check your local or online forums for shared maps. These routes save you hours of blind hunting.

Conclusion

Now that you understand how to evolve Inkay in Pokémon GO. Just flip your phone and use 50 Inkay candies to get Malamar a creative nod in its mainline origins. To speed things up, consider using MocPOGO. It is the best Pokémon GO auto catcher and GPS spoofing tool available. It can help you most if you are farming for Inkay in limited-time events. It allows you to track, catch, and evolve without exhausting your thumbs or your time.

Understand the exact steps? It’s time to flip your phone and flip Inkay into the brilliant Malamar.

Molly Snyder

Molly is a game fanatic who specializes in writing technology articles. In her articles, you can find many questions about game guides and solution of how to fix it. She has over 10 years of work experience in the gaming and technology industries, which makes her articles more readable. 

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