In a recent update, Niantic Labs has announced that trainers
can now add friends in Pokémon Go directly from their device’s contacts list. Players can look for friends who are already active trainers and also invite
others to start their Pokémon Go journeys. The app claims that it will make
connecting with people easier than ever before.

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The following process should be followed in order to add
friends in Pokémon GO from the device’s contacts list:

Adding friends from a device’s contacts list is
straightforward and similar to providing the app access it currently requires.
The procedure is given below:

• Navigate to the Friends tab from the trainer
  profile in the app

• Tap Add
  Friends from Contacts

• Choose if one wants to be found by trainers who
  also import their contact lists

• Tap the blue “Add Friends from
  Contacts” bar at the bottom of the page

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After one’s contacts have been synchronized, they can go
through them in Pokémon GO and either add them to their Friend List by pressing
Send Friend Request or invite them to play by tapping Invite to Play.

One can always modify discoverability and contacts list sync
permissions later in the game’s settings.

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Existing trainers may also utilize this as a chance to earn money by referring others to the game. A referral code may be used to invite new or returning trainers to join them on an adventure and win prizes together. These include Pokémon encounters, Rare Candy, Incubators, and more as they hit milestones on their adventure.