Onix is a rare Rock type Pokémon that can be found in almost all Pokémon games. To make Onix evolve into Steelix, you need an item called Metal Coat. If Onix already has a Metal Coat, exchanging the Pokémon to another player will evolve it into Steelix. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, you can make Steelix evolve into Mega Steelix in the middle of a battle.
Step
Method 1 of 9: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Step 1. Catch Onix
Onix is a hidden Pokémon that can be found in Granite Cave. This Pokémon will appear after you defeat Groudon or Kyogre. You can also find Onix in Mirage Caves which you can enter after getting Latios or Latias and Eon Flute.
Step 2. Get a Metal Coat
You can get the Metal Coat in New Mauville in the building that houses the generator. This item can also be obtained by defeating wild Magnemite, Skarmory, and Bronzors.
- You can find wild Magnemite on New Mauville and Route 110.
- You can find wild Skarmory on Route 113.
- You can find the Bronzor on Mt. Pyre. However, this Pokémon will only appear after you defeat Groudon or Kyogre.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
You can make Onix hold the item via the Pokémon menu. Onix must hold this item to evolve when exchanged for another player.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with or use another Nintendo console
You'll need to trade your Onix to someone playing Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon X, or Pokémon Y. If you trade your Pokémon to someone you don't know online, make sure they return the Onix that has evolved into Steelix.
- If you trade Pokémon to someone over the internet, you'll need to enter a Friend Code to add them to your friends list.
- If you trade Pokémon with a friend who lives nearby, you and your friend only need to play in the same room. Make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled on your console and that of a friend.
Step 5. Start exchanging Pokémon with other players
You can swap Pokémon via PokeNav:
- Tap the PlayNav button located on the right side of the screen of both consoles.
- Open the Player Search System screen.
- Select the person you want to exchange Pokémon with on your Friends or Passersby list.
- Tap the Trade button to start the exchange process. People with whom to exchange Pokémon will receive a notification.
Step 6. Exchange Onix to another player
While holding the Metal Coat, Onix will evolve into Steelix when swapped.
Step 7. Ask other players to return Steelix
When Onix has evolved, ask other players to return Steelix.
Step 8. Defeat Groudon or Kyogre if you want to get Mega Steelix
You must continue the game's storyline and defeat Kyogre or Groudon before Steelixite appears in the game.
Step 9. Get a Mach Bike
You need a Mach Bike to find Steelixite. You can get this bike from Rydel's Cycles. Make sure you choose Mach Bike, not Acro Bike.
Step 10. Go to Granite Cave
You can find the entrance to this cave on Route 106.
Step 11. Find Steelixite on the B2F floor
You can find it next to a boulder. Use the Mach Bike to get through the shattered floors.
Step 12. Give Steelixite to Steelix
When Steelix holds Steelixite, it will evolve into Mega Steelix in the middle of a fight.
Step 13. Select the “Mega Evolve” option in the middle of the battle to make Steelix evolve into Mega Steelix
Mega Steelix can be played during the fight. Mega Steelix will change to Steelix if he is lost (fainted) or the fight is over.
Method 2 of 9: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y
Step 1. Catch Onix
In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, you can find Onix in the Glittering Cave or in Rock Friend Safari. In Pokémon X, you can also get Onix in Cyllage City.
Step 2. Get a Metal Coat
You can get them by searching for them in the Poke Ball Factory, winning a Balloon Popping game, and defeating wild Magnetons.
Magnetons can be found in the Lost Hotel and Steel-type Friend Safaris
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve into Steelix.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with or use another Nintendo console
You'll need to swap Onix to evolve it into Steelix. You can exchange Pokémon for Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. If you trade Pokémon to someone you don't know online, make sure they return the Onix that has evolved into Steelix. Consider giving another Pokémon as a token of gratitude.
You must enter Friend Codes to exchange Pokémon online
Step 5. Start exchanging Pokémon with other players
You can swap Pokémon via PokeNav:
- Tap the PlayNav button located on the right side of the screen of both consoles.
- Open the Player Search System screen.
- Select the person you want to exchange Pokémon with on your Friends or Passersby list.
- Tap the Trade button to start the exchange process. People with whom to exchange Pokémon will receive a notification.
Step 6. Switch Onix
Give Onix to other players to evolve them. This Pokémon will evolve immediately when swapped.
Step 7. Get Steelix back
After completing the exchange process, ask other players to return Steelix. Follow the steps listed above to get Steelix back.
Method 3 of 9: Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2
Step 1. Catch Onix
In Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, you can catch Onix in various caves and tunnels, such as the Relic Passage, Twist Mountain, Clay Tunnel, the Underground Ruins, and Victory Road.
Step 2. Look for Metal Coat
You can find Metal Coats in Chargestone Cave and Clay Tunnel. In addition, you can also buy it at Join Avenue in the Antique Shop, and in Black City.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve into Steelix when exchanged for another player.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
You must swap Onix to evolve into Steelix. You can exchange this Pokémon for Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black Version 2, and Pokémon White Version 2 players.
Step 5. Start exchanging Pokémon with other players
When exchanging Pokémon with a friend who lives nearby, you and your friend must play in the same room. Here's how to swap Pokémon:
- Point the game port of the Nintendo DS console towards the game port of the other Nintendo DS console.
- Launch C-Gear which is at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap "IR" and tap "Trade."
- Talk to other players who are in the same room as you to start the swap process.
Step 6. Switch Onix
Select Onix as the Pokémon you want to swap. When other players accept a Pokémon swap request, Onix will be swapped and evolve into Steelix.
Step 7. Get Steelix back
Resend the Pokémon swap request to the player for Steelix.
Method 4 of 9: Pokémon Black and Pokémon White
Step 1. Get Onix
In Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, you can only find Onix in Relic Castle. You have a 15% chance of finding Onix on B7F. The Pokémon is between level 48 and level 50.
Step 2. Get a Metal Coat
You can get a Metal Coat from a person named Treasure Hunter on Route 13. You can also get this item at Twist Mountain in the winter. In addition, this item can be obtained by defeating wild Magnemite, Metang, Metagross, and Bronzong.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve into Steelix.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
You must swap Onix to evolve into Steelix. You can exchange Pokémon for Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black Version 2, and Pokémon White Version 2 players.
Step 5. Start exchanging Pokémon with other players
When exchanging Pokémon with a friend who lives nearby, you and your friend must play in the same room. Here's how to swap Pokémon:
- Point the game port of the Nintendo DS console towards the game port of the other Nintendo DS console.
- Launch C-Gear which is at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap "IR" and tap "Trade."
- Talk to other players who are in the same room as you to start the swap process.
Step 6. Swap Onix to another player
When another player accepts a Pokémon swap request, Onix will be swapped and evolve into Steelix.
Step 7. Ask other players to return Steelix
Once Onix is swapped and evolved, ask other players to return Steelix.
Method 5 of 9: Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver
Step 1. Catch Onix
You can find Onix at Cliff Cave, Rock Tunnel, Mt. Silver, Victory Road, and Union Cave. In addition, you can also exchange Bellsprout for Onix in Violet City.
Step 2. Get a Metal Coat
You'll get a Metal Coat after finding someone's granddaughter in S. S. Aqua. You can also get it by defeating wild Magnemites. Maggie who is in the Kanto Power Plant will give her a Metal Coat as well. Plus, you can earn them by winning games at the Pokeathlon Dome on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve into Steelix.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
You must swap Onix to evolve into Steelix. You can exchange it for Pokémon HeartGold, Pokémon SoulSilver, Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, and Pokémon Platinum.
Step 5. Begin the process of exchanging Pokémon with other people
When exchanging Pokémon with a friend who lives nearby, you and your friend must play in the same room. Here's how to swap Pokémon:
- Each player must go to the second floor of the Pokémon Center.
- Talk to the person in the center of the room to activate the wireless network and enter the Pokémon swap room.
- Talk to the desired player to start the Pokémon swap process.
Step 6. Exchange Onix to another player
While holding the Metal Coat, Onix will evolve into Steelix.
Step 7. Get Steelix back from other players
Once Onix has been swapped and evolved, you must ask other players to return Steelix. Repeat the Pokémon swap process to get Steelix.
Method 6 of 9: Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, and Pokémon Platinum
Step 1. Get Onix
Onix can be found in various places in all three games. Usually this Pokémon can be found on Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, and Victory Road. In Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, you can find Onix at Snowpoint Temple and Stark Mountain. In Pokémon Platinum, you can get it in Wayward Cave.
Step 2. Get a Metal Coat in Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, or Pokémon Platinum
You can get the Metal Coat from Byron on Iron Island after completing the National Pokedex. Apart from that, you can also get them by defeating the wild Steelix, Beldum, Bronzor, and Bronzong.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve when exchanged for another player.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
Onix must be exchanged for another player to evolve into Steelix. You can exchange it for Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum, Pokémon HeartGold, and Pokémon SoulSilver.
Step 5. Start exchanging Pokémon with other players
When exchanging Pokémon with a friend who lives nearby, you and your friend must play in the same room. Here's how to swap Pokémon:
- Each player must go to the second floor of the Pokémon Center.
- Talk to the person in the center of the room to activate the wireless network and enter the Pokémon swap room.
- Talk to the desired player to start the Pokémon swap process.
Step 6. Exchange Onix to another player
When you're asked to choose the Pokémon you want to swap, select Onix. After that, Onix will evolve into Steelix when swapped.
Step 7. Ask other players to return Steelix
To get your evolved Onix back, you'll need to make another Pokémon swap request and ask other players to return Steelix. Follow the previous steps to submit a Pokémon exchange request.
Method 7 of 9: Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald
Step 1. Exchange your Pokémon for Onix in Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, or Pokémon Emerald
You can't catch wild Onix in Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, or Pokémon Emerald. Also, you can't transfer Onix from Pokémon Gold, Pokémon Silver, or Pokémon Crystal. This means that you must trade your Pokémon for an Onix that is derived from Pokémon FireRed or LeafGreen. Both games are the only games that have Onix compatible with Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald.
Step 2. Find the Metal Coat in Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, or Pokémon Emerald
You can get the Metal Coat by fighting wild Magnemite and Magneton.
These two Pokémon can only be found in New Mauville
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve into Steelix when exchanged for another player.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
You must trade Onix to someone else to evolve into Steelix. You can swap Pokémon with players Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald, Pokémon FireRed, and Pokémon LeafGreen.
Step 5. Begin the process of exchanging Pokémon with other people
To swap Pokémon, you and the other person must play in the same room:
- Connect the two GBA consoles using the Link Cable.
- You and others should visit the nearest Pokémon Center. You and the person don't have to visit the same Pokémon Center.
- Go to the second floor and talk to the person in the center of the room to start the exchange process.
- Approach the computer in the room and select the "Trade" option.
Step 6. Exchange Onix to another player
If you and other players have confirmed, Onix will be exchanged and evolved into Steelix.
Step 7. Ask other players to return Steelix
After Onix evolves, you must ask other players to return Steelix. You can start the exchange process again in the same room.
Method 8 of 9: Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen
Step 1. Catch Onix
Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen are remakes of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. In both games, you can find Onix in Rock Tunnel or Victory Road as well as in Sevault Canyon at level 54.
Step 2. Look for Metal Coat in FireRed or LeafGreen
You can find the Metal Coat near the Memorial Pillar in the Sevii Islands which can be accessed by following the game's storyline. In addition, you can also get it as a gift in the Trainer Tower.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve when exchanged for another player.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
Onix must be swapped to evolve. You can exchange Pokémon for Pokémon FireRed, Pokémon LeafGreen, Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald.
Step 5. Begin the process of exchanging Pokémon with other people
To swap Pokémon, you and the other person must play in the same room:
- Connect the two GBA consoles using the Link Cable.
- You and others should visit the nearest Pokémon Center. You and that person don't have to visit the same Pokémon Center.
- Go to the second floor and talk to the person in the center of the room to start the exchange process.
- Approach the computer in the room and select the "Trade" option.
Step 6. Exchange Onix to another player
If holding Metal Coat, Onix will evolve when swapped.
Step 7. Ask other players to return Steelix
Once Onix is swapped and evolved, ask other players to return Steelix.
Method 9 of 9: Pokémon Gold, Pokémon Silver, and Pokémon Crystal
Step 1. Catch Onix
You can find Onix at Rock Tunnel, Mt. Silver, Victory Road, and Union Cave. In addition, you can also exchange Bellsprout for Onix in Violet City.
Step 2. Get a Metal Coat
You'll get a Metal Coat after finding someone's granddaughter in S. S. Aqua. You can also get it by defeating wild Magnemites and talking to Maggie at the Kanto Power Plant in Pokémon Crystal.
Step 3. Give the Metal Coat to Onix
Onix must hold this item to evolve when exchanged for another player.
Step 4. Find the person you want to swap Pokémon with
You must swap Onix to evolve into Steelix. You can exchange Pokémon for Pokémon Gold, Pokémon Silver, and Pokémon Crystals.
Step 5. Begin the process of exchanging Pokémon with other players
You must sit next to another player and use the Link Cable to swap Pokémon:
- Connect the two consoles using the Link Cable.
- Go to the second floor of the Pokémon Center.
- Talk to the person on the far left of the cash register.
- Confirm that you want to swap Pokémon and save game data (save game).
Step 6. Exchange Onix to another player
Onix will evolve when other players accept Pokémon swap requests.
Step 7. Get Steelix back from other players
Ask other players to make a Pokémon swap request and return Steelix to you. After that, you can use Steelix in the game.
