If you're dusting off your 3DS to find some old-school Alolan magic, you've probably realized things look a bit different now. The internet is full of "active" lists that aren't actually active. It’s frustrating. You see a code for a Shiny Tapu Koko or a Marshadow, you type it in, and... nothing. The server just stares back at you with an error message that basically says "you're too late."
Honestly, the state of Pokemon Sun and Moon mystery gift codes in 2026 is a bit of a heartbreaker for completionists. Most of those classic serial codes like MUNCHLAX or the ones found on the back of Target receipts back in 2017 are long gone. They had expiration dates. Once those dates passed, the codes became useless strings of text.
But wait. Don't toss the cartridge just yet.
There is a massive difference between "expired codes" and "unobtainable Pokemon." While the official servers for the 3DS were largely sunsetted by Nintendo, the community has found some clever ways to keep the Alolan spirit alive. We need to talk about what actually works, what's a myth, and how you can still fill that Pokedex without a time machine.
The Brutal Truth About Official Serial Codes
Let's be real: If you are looking for a universal text code you can just type into the "Get with Code/Password" menu right now, you won't find one. Not a legal one, anyway. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company moved on to the Switch years ago.
All those cool distributions—the Shiny Silvally, the Level 100 Regigigas, the Zeraora—they were time-limited events. Most of them expired before the 2020s even started. In 2026, the official Mystery Gift servers for Gen 7 are essentially a ghost town.
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The QR Code Loophole (The Stuff That Never Expires)
Here is where it gets interesting. While the Pokemon Sun and Moon mystery gift codes that required an internet connection are mostly dead, the QR Scanner is a different beast entirely.
QR codes in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon are hard-coded into the game's logic. They don't need a server to tell them they're valid. They just work.
The Mythical Magearna
This is the big one. You can still get a Mythical Magearna today. No joke. You just need to scan a specific QR code after you’ve become the Alola Region Champion.
- Finish the main story.
- Open the QR Scanner in the menu.
- Scan the "Special Magearna" QR code (which is easily found on the official Pokemon website or community wikis).
- Head over to the delivery man at the Antiquities of the Ages shop in Hau'oli City.
He’ll just hand it over. It’s probably the only "Mystery Gift" style event that is permanently available to every player who buys the game, even ten years late.
Partner Cap Pikachu
Similar to Magearna, the Pikachu wearing Ash’s movie cap is tied to a QR code. This was originally for the I Choose You! movie tie-in. If you scan that specific code, you can pick up the Pikachu at Pikachu Valley. It doesn't matter that it's 2026. The data is already on your cartridge waiting to be unlocked.
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What About the "DNS Exploit" for Gen 7?
You might have heard about people getting old events in Gen 4 (Diamond/Pearl) or Gen 5 (Black/White) by changing their DNS settings. It’s a legendary trick. By pointing your DS to a fan-run server like Wiimmfi or Kaura, you can "trick" the game into downloading old Wonder Cards.
Does it work for Pokemon Sun and Moon mystery gift codes?
Sorta. But it’s way more complicated.
For the 3DS games, the security is much tighter than it was on the original DS. While there are "Pretend" servers being worked on by the homebrew community (projects like Pretendo), they are mostly focused on bringing back online play and the eShop features. Getting specific, official Wonder Cards to download via a simple DNS change in Gen 7 isn't as seamless as it is for the older games.
If you really want those old event-exclusive moves or Cherish Ball mons, you're usually looking at "injecting" Wonder Cards. This requires a hacked 3DS and a tool called PKSM. It’s not "official," but since the official way is dead, it’s how most of the community keeps the history alive.
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Common Misconceptions That Will Waste Your Time
I see people searching for "Sun and Moon codes 2026" and landing on sites that list things like POKEMON500 or ALOLA2024.
Those are fake.
They are usually generated by bots or low-quality sites trying to get clicks. Pokemon codes have almost always been 16-character alphanumeric strings or specific words tied to a very short window. If a site tells you there's a "New 2026 Code for Solgaleo," they are lying to you.
How to Actually Get Event Pokemon Now
Since the codes are toast, how do you actually get a Marshadow or a Zeraora in 2026?
- Pokemon HOME: This is your best bet. People who redeemed the codes back in 2017 often have extras sitting in their HOME boxes. You can trade for them using the mobile app’s GTS or Room Trade features.
- The Special Demo: If you still have the Sun and Moon Special Demo Version on your 3DS, you can play through it to get Ash-Greninja. You can then "Send to Pro Version" to get it into your main save. This is a local transfer, so it doesn't need the Mystery Gift servers to be "live" in the traditional sense.
- Local Wireless: If you have a friend who has a legitimate event Pokemon, they can trade it to you locally. Local wireless doesn't use Nintendo's servers, so it will work until the hardware itself dies.
Actionable Next Steps for Alola Trainers
If you're looking to maximize your save file today, stop hunting for expired text codes and do this instead:
- Scan the Magearna QR Code: It’s a free Mythical. It takes two minutes.
- Check your 3DS for the Special Demo: If it's on your SD card, grab that Ash-Greninja before you delete it.
- Use the QR Scanner for 100 Points: Every 10 scans gives you an "Island Scan." This lets you catch non-Alolan Pokemon like Charmander or Klink in the wild. It’s the only part of the "online-ish" features that still functions perfectly.
- Look into PKSM if you're tech-savvy: If you genuinely want the historical Wonder Cards (like the Shiny Tapu Lele) and don't mind the "homebrew" route, that's the only way to get the original gift data onto your save file in 2026.
The era of typing in a simple word and getting a God-tier Pokemon in Sun and Moon is over. It’s a bummer, but Alola is still a massive, vibrant region with plenty to find if you know which glitches and loopholes to jump through. Reach for the QR codes—they're the only "codes" that still have life in them.