Applin has four evolutions in Pokémon GO: Flapple (200 Applin Candy and 20 Tart Apples), Appletun (200 Candy and 20 Sweet Apples) and Dipplin (200 Candy and 20 Syrupy Apples), and Dipplin then becomes Hydrapple for 400 Candy after you catch 7 Dragon-type Pokémon with Dipplin as your buddy. Since the Harvest Festival 2026 event (29 September to 5 October), the whole line can also be shiny.
The search spike makes sense. Harvest Festival 2026: Applin Picking was the first time Shiny Applin appeared in GO, and Mossy Lure Modules spawned nothing but apples for a week. Many players finished the event with apples and candy in their bag but no clear idea which evolution to make first. This guide covers each branch, as of 9 October 2026.
Every Applin evolution in Pokémon GO
| Evolution | From | Candy | Item or task | In GO since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flapple | Applin | 200 | 20 Tart Apples | Sweet Discoveries, April 2025 |
| Appletun | Applin | 200 | 20 Sweet Apples | Sweet Discoveries, April 2025 |
| Dipplin | Applin | 200 | 20 Syrupy Apples | Harvest Festival, October 2025 |
| Hydrapple | Dipplin | 400 | Catch 7 Dragon types with Dipplin as buddy | Harvest Festival, October 2025 |
A full Hydrapple from a fresh Applin costs 600 Applin Candy in total: 200 for Dipplin, then 400 for Hydrapple. That makes Hydrapple the most expensive branch by far, so plan your candy before you spend it on a Flapple.
How to evolve Applin into Flapple or Appletun
Both evolutions arrived with the Sweet Discoveries event (24 to 29 April 2025), when apples were added to the game as a new item. The method is identical. Collect 200 Applin Candy and 20 of the right apple, then open your Applin and tap Evolve. The button only shows the evolution you have apples for.
- Tart Apple: evolves Applin into Flapple.
- Sweet Apple: evolves Applin into Appletun.
- Syrupy Apple: evolves Applin into Dipplin.
If you hold more than one apple type, check the evolution screen before confirming, since Applin can branch three ways.
How to get Tart, Sweet and Syrupy Apples
Apples are a regular bag item, but they mostly drop during apple-themed events. During Harvest Festival 2026 these were the sources:
- Mossy Lure Modules: during the event they attracted only apples. You tap an apple on the map to get Tart, Sweet or Syrupy Apples, or an encounter. The type is hidden until you tap it.
- Applin catches: event Applin had a higher chance of holding an apple.
- Branching Timed Research: you picked a Flapple, Appletun or Dipplin path, and that path paid out the matching apple.
- Field Research: event tasks for catching and using berries.
- GO Pass: rank 10 extended event Mossy Lures to one hour.
The event ended on 5 October 2026 at 8:00 p.m. local time, and unclaimed GO Pass rewards expired on 7 October. In April 2025 Niantic said apples could also appear in the wild and at Mossy Lures. Whether apples still spawn at Mossy Lures now, outside an event, is not confirmed by Niantic, so do not burn lures expecting them.
Apples, not candy, are the real bottleneck. Applin candy can be topped up with Rare Candy at any time, but apples only flow freely for about a week per event, so one event's apples decide how many evolutions you get until the next one.
How to evolve Dipplin into Hydrapple
Hydrapple is the only Applin evolution with a task. You need 400 Applin Candy plus 7 Dragon-type catches while Dipplin is your buddy. Steps:
- Evolve an Applin into Dipplin with 200 Candy and 20 Syrupy Apples.
- Set that Dipplin as your buddy.
- Catch 7 Dragon-type Pokémon. The counter only runs while that Dipplin is your active buddy.
- Collect 400 Applin Candy and tap Evolve on the Dipplin.
Fastest way to catch 7 Dragon types
- Catch Applin itself. Applin is a Grass and Dragon type, so every Applin you catch counts toward the 7.
- Wait for windy weather. Windy weather boosts Dragon spawns in GO.
- Use Dragon research and raids. Field Research encounters and raid catches count as catches.
Shiny Applin and shiny evolutions
Shiny Applin made its Pokémon GO debut on 29 September 2026 during Harvest Festival: Applin Picking. Its whole line was released with it, so a shiny Applin can become shiny Flapple, Appletun, Dipplin or Hydrapple. Before this event, none of them could be shiny in GO.
Niantic did not publish a boosted shiny rate for Applin during the event; the boosted rate that week went to Smoliv. Shiny Applin now stays in the game, so any future Applin encounter can be shiny. If you missed the event entirely, our Pokémon GO account catalog lists accounts with event Pokémon already caught.
Which Applin evolution should you make first?
| Goal | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the Pokédex | Dipplin, then Hydrapple | One Dipplin covers two entries |
| Spend the least candy | Flapple or Appletun | 200 Candy each |
| Shiny collection | Evolve your best shiny into Hydrapple | Most expensive, so keep the best shiny for it |
If you only have one shiny Applin, do not evolve it right away. Wait until you have enough apples and candy to take it where you want, especially if that means 600 Candy for Hydrapple.
Frequently asked questions
How many apples do you need to evolve Applin in Pokémon GO?
20 of the matching apple plus 200 Applin Candy. Tart Apples make Flapple, Sweet Apples make Appletun and Syrupy Apples make Dipplin.
How do you get Hydrapple in Pokémon GO?
Evolve Applin into Dipplin, make Dipplin your buddy, catch 7 Dragon-type Pokémon, then evolve it with 400 Applin Candy.
Can Applin be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes. Shiny Applin debuted on 29 September 2026 during Harvest Festival 2026, along with shiny Flapple, Appletun, Dipplin and Hydrapple through evolution.
Can I still get apples after Harvest Festival?
The event ended on 5 October 2026. Niantic has not confirmed whether apples appear outside events, so expect the next apple-themed event to be the main source.
Does catching Applin count for Hydrapple?
Yes. Applin is Grass and Dragon type, so each Applin caught with Dipplin as your buddy counts toward the 7 Dragon-type catches.
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Sources
- Pokémon GO: Harvest Festival 2026 announcement (September 2026)
- Pokémon GO: Sweet Discoveries 2025 (April 2025)
- Leek Duck: Harvest Festival 2026: Applin Picking
- Pokémon GO Hub: Harvest Festival 2026 Applin Picking
- GameRant: Harvest Festival 2025, Dipplin, Hydrapple and Syrupy Apples
- The Click: Harvest Festival Mossy Lure apples explained
