In This Article
The Pokemon Trainer Club account, abbreviated PTC, was the original Pokemon GO sign-in method back in 2016 and remains an option for players who want to keep their Pokemon account separate from their Google login. the PTC system has been substantially modernised, the verification flow is faster, and Niantic added a Niantic Kids variant for under-13 accounts.
Below is the 2026 walkthrough for creating and verifying a PTC account, plus the practical reasons most adult players are better off using Google or Apple sign-in, and the cases where PTC still makes sense.
TL;DR
The pick: The pick for most adult players: Google or Apple sign-in for Pokemon GO. Faster, no extra password, cross-game sync.
Runner-up: Runner-up if you want account separation: PTC with a strong unique password and a backup email you check.
Skip if: Skip if you are creating an account for an under-13 player. Use Niantic Kids instead, which has the parental controls built in.
Create a PTC account
Visit club.pokemon.com on a browser. Click Create an Account. Enter your date of birth, username, password, email, and country. Pokemon Company International sends a verification email; click the link inside fifteen minutes. The account is now ready to sign in to Pokemon GO, Pokemon HOME, or Pokemon Sleep.
Verify your PTC account properly
The verification email lands within a couple of minutes from accounts@pokemon.com. Click the link; if you miss the fifteen-minute window, request a fresh verification email from the PTC login screen. Without verification, your account works for Pokemon GO play but cannot be used for trades, Pokemon HOME, or premium purchases.
Niantic Kids for under-13 players
Pokemon GO requires a Niantic Kids account for players under thirteen years old in COPPA-regulated regions. A parent creates the account at nianticproject.com/kids, links it to the child’s profile, and approves the account during sign-up. Parental controls include playtime limits, restricted social features, and purchase confirmation.
Why Google or Apple sign-in beats PTC for adults
Google and Apple sign-in skip the verification email, do not require a new password, and integrate with the device’s password manager natively. Account recovery is faster because it routes through your Google or Apple account. The main reason adults still pick PTC is account separation; using a dedicated email and Google account does the same thing with less friction.
Account recovery and security
If you lose access to your PTC account, recovery is via the Forgot Password flow on club.pokemon.com. Always use a unique strong password, enable Pokemon Company’s two-step verification (added in 2024), and keep the recovery email reachable. PTC support responds in three to five business days for compromised account claims.
The setup, step by step
- 1
Visit club.pokemon.com
From a browser on any device.
- 2
Click Create an Account
Or sign in via Pokemon GO’s New Player flow.
- 3
Fill in date of birth and details
Country and email must be valid.
- 4
Confirm the verification email
Check inbox within fifteen minutes.
- 5
Enable two-step verification
Settings, Security, in your account dashboard.
Niantic documents PTC age, sign-in, and parental-consent flows directly on nianticlabs.com; that page is the source of truth when the Pokemon GO sign-in screen behavior changes.
FAQ
Why use PTC instead of Google?
Account separation. PTC keeps your Pokemon GO play distinct from your Google account, which some players want for privacy reasons. The trade-off is an extra password to manage.
Can I link PTC to Pokemon HOME later?
Yes. PTC is the recommended sign-in for Pokemon HOME and Pokemon Sleep. Linking happens inside each app after PTC verification.
How long does verification take?
Typically one to two minutes from account creation. The link expires after fifteen minutes; request a fresh email if it lapses.
My PTC account is locked. What do I do?
Reset the password via Forgot Password. If the email is no longer accessible, contact Pokemon Company support at support.pokemon.com. They respond within five business days with ID-verification steps.
Bottom line
PTC is still a legitimate Pokemon GO sign-in method, with cleaner verification and two-step protection. For most adult players, Google or Apple sign-in is simpler and equivalent. Under-13 players should use Niantic Kids, which has the parental controls built in. Either way, use a unique strong password and keep the recovery email reachable.
