How to get Best Buddy status fast in Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go’s Buddy system gives players a way to get closer to their favorite Pokemon, but obtaining Best Buddy status isn’t an easy feat.

Trainers can develop their relationship with their Buddy by earning Hearts, reaching new friendship levels as they go. Ranging from Good Buddy to Best Buddy, the bonus rewards you’ll get from reaching each status can be extremely helpful.

But what are the different Buddy levels, and more importantly, what’s the fastest way to make a Pokemon your Best Buddy in the game?

Fastest way to get Best Buddy status

The easiest way to quickly earn Hearts with a Buddy Pokemon is to give them a Poffin. Doing so will automatically fill their hunger meter and change their mood to Excited, which will allow you to easily earn more Hearts.

However, Poffins do not appear as regular rewards and need to be purchased from the Pokemon Go Shop for 100 PokeCoins each.

Alternative methods

An infographic from g47onik provides a different method to turn a Pokemon into your Best Buddy, and it’s by getting them Excited without having to use a Poffin. As of April 2025, this method is reported to still work well.

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Feed your Buddy 3 berries.
2. Play with your Buddy.
3. Take a snapshot of your Buddy.
4. Finish 3 battles with your Buddy in your party (PvP, Gym battle, training).

Once you’ve done this, you have to repeat the following process three times, but with certain tweaks:

1. Take a 2km walk or wait 30 minutes.
2. Feed your Buddy one berry.
3. Play with your Buddy.
4. Take a snapshot of your Buddy.
5. Finish one battle with Buddy in your party (PvP, Gym battle, training).

According to g47onik, after completing 1-4 steps, your Buddy in Pokemon Go will be Excited, allowing you to earn a second batch of hearts in one day.

Best Buddy hearts

To earn Best Buddy with your chosen partner, you’ll need to earn 300 Hearts. Completing the above process each day for 12-13 days will allow you to reach Best Buddy status, provided you also spin new PokeStops.

Here’s a breakdown of how many hearts you get for each action you do with your Buddy:

• Playing together: x2 hearts
• Battling: x2 hearts
• Snapshots: x2
• Visiting new places: x2 hearts per PokeStop/Gym Photo Disc
• Walking together: Up to x4 hearts (2km per each)
• Treats: Up to x4 hearts (feed x3 Berries for each heart)

Hunger meter

Your best pal has a six-bar hunger meter, which means it will become hungry every three hours, whether or not you have the app open and are actively playing.

Berry	Bars they fill	Duration
Razz Berry	x2	1 hour
Pinap Berry	x2	1 hour
Nanab Berry	x2	1 hour
Golden Razz Berry	x6	1.5 hours
Silver Pinap Berry	x6	1.5 hours

All Buddy level rewards

As mentioned above, you’ll earn extra rewards based on your Buddy’s friendship level. Here are all the levels available, including their requirements and rewards:

Buddy Status	Requirements	Reward
Good Buddy	1 Heart	Readable Mood, ability to adventure with your Buddy, and earning Candy.
Great Buddy	70 Hearts	Your Buddy will find presents for you! Buddies can also help with catch assists.
Ultra Buddy	150 Hearts	Your Buddy will bring you Souvenirs and highlight PokeStops for you.
Best Buddy	300 Hearts	CP boost for your Buddy in combat, improving its effectiveness in Raids! Wears a ribbon displaying their Best Buddy status.

It’s worth working with your Buddy for a few days to reach Best Buddy status because the rewards could come in incredibly handy. This infographic from Pokemon Go Hub shows everything you need to know.

Even better, do this with some of your strongest Pokemon and they’ll become an even more valuable asset in battles and, more importantly, Raids.

Buddy moods

Besides the Buddy levels, your partner will also have a daily mood that you can modify to earn more Affection Hearts and reduce the 1km, 3km, 5km, or 20km distance for Candy by half.

• Tired
• Dull
• Normal
• Happy
• Smile
• Fun
• Excited

Now that you know how to make your partner Pokemon your Best Buddy in Pokemon Go, check out the latest promo codes, what’s in the shop this week, and the best Attackers and Defenders available.