Ready to add a rare and charming new Pokémon to your collection? Applin, the apple core Pokémon from Galar, has arrived in Pokémon GO, bringing with it a fresh twist on evolution and gameplay. Discover how to spot Applin by tapping mysterious apples scattered around, and learn the secret to evolving it into either the mischievous Flapple or the sweet Appletun-each with unique traits and battle styles. Dive into the world of apples, candies, and special events to master this fruity quest and expand your Pokédex like never before.
Our guide details how to find Applin and evolve it into its two evolutions, Flapple and Appletun, in Pokémon Go.
How to get Applin in Pokémon Go
Applin can be obtained in Pokémon Go primarily by tapping on apple-shaped items that appear on the ground during certain events, such as the Sweet Discoveries event held in April 2025. These apples sometimes trigger Applin encounters when tapped. Additionally, Applin can be found through wild spawns and as rewards from timed research tasks. Using Mossy Lure Modules at PokéStops increases the chance of finding apples and thus encountering Applin. Currently, these are the main ways to catch Applin, so keep an eye out for apples in the overworld and participate in relevant events to increase your chances.
You can find Applin the following ways:
- Tapping on apple items on the floor that may spawn rarely (and more commonly around Mossy Lure Modules during the “Sweet Discoveries” event)
- Complete the “Sweet Discoveries” premium Timed Research (for $2) during the aforementioned event
But as of this writing, that’s it. There have been no confirmations about Applin appearing in other situations, so you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for any stray apple items on the floor.
The apples look like the below image.
Notably, Applin’s evolutions, Flapple and Appletun, both have Gigantamax forms– though it’s not available in Pokémon Go just yet. Both evolutions look the same when Gigantamaxed, but they get slightly different moves, with Flapple getting G-Max Tartness and Appletun getting G-Max Sweetness. The moves are different in Pokémon Sword and Shield, but given that one of them heal status conditions and the other reduces evasiveness, we don’t know how they’ll impliment these moves in Pokémon Go. All that being said, you may want to try to score as much Applin Candy as you can to prepare for the inevitable Gigantamax forms, if you like collecting them.
How to get evolutions Flapple and Appletun in Pokémon Go
To evolve Applin into Flapple or Appletun in Pokémon Go, you need 200 Applin Candy and 20 special apples. For Flapple, use 20 Tart Apples, and for Appletun, use 20 Sweet Apples. You can collect these apples by tapping on apples found on the ground during the Sweet Discoveries event or by completing related Timed Research tasks. Using Pinap Berries when catching Applin helps gather candy faster, and setting Applin as your buddy or transferring extras also aids candy collection. Note that both evolutions require a significant amount of resources, so planning is key to obtaining both forms.
To evolve Applin into Flapple and Appletun in Pokémon Go, you’ll need 200 Applin Candy and 20 of their special apples. Flapple requires Tart Apples and Appletun requires Sweet Apples.
You can get these special apple items by – you guessed it – tapping on the apples you find on the floor, but you also get one of each for completing the free Timed Research as part of the previously mentioned “Sweet Discoveries” event.
Applin actually has a third evolution: Dipplin, which was introduced during The Teal Mask DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Additionally, Dipplin evolves again, turning into Hydrapple. However, neither of these Pokémon are in Pokémon Go yet. Since Applin made its debut a generation earlier in Pokémon Sword and Shield, it may be a bit before we see these extra evolutions.
Can Applin be shiny in Pokémon Go?
Applin cannot be shiny in Pokémon Go at the moment. Niantic has not released a shiny version of Applin yet, and it is common for shiny forms to be introduced later during special events or Community Days. Players will need to wait for a future update or event for the shiny variant of Applin to become available in the game.
As of this writing, no, Applin cannot be shiny in Pokémon Go. Like every other Pokémon in this game, its shiny form will come eventually, whether it’s from a Community Day or a different event.
How does picking up apples unlock Applin in Pokémon Go
In Pokémon GO, picking up apples on the ground is the key to encountering Applin. When you tap on these apple items-most commonly found near PokéStops with active Mossy Lure Modules during the Sweet Discoveries event-you either get an Applin encounter, a Sweet Apple, or a Tart Apple. Catching Applin from these apple encounters rewards you with Applin Candy and sometimes the special apples needed for its evolutions. Essentially, interacting with these apples triggers the chance to find Applin, making apple collection a unique and integral mechanic to unlocking this Pokémon and its evolutions Flapple and Appletun.
Why do apples on the ground sometimes lead to Applin encounters in Pokémon Go
Apples on the ground sometimes lead to Applin encounters in Pokémon GO because Applin is uniquely tied to these apple items that spawn during special events like Sweet Discoveries. When you tap on these apples-which appear more frequently around PokéStops with active Mossy Lure Modules-they can transform into Applin, Sweet Apples, or Tart Apples. This mechanic is designed to mimic Applin’s apple-core theme from the Galar region and adds a layer of chance and strategy to finding it. Using Mossy Lures significantly increases the spawn rate of these apples and thus the likelihood of encountering Applin, making apple tapping an essential part of unlocking this Pokémon and its evolutions.
