Overview
When you try to get a Pokemon to follow you out of an area before completing certain tasks, a message appears stating the Pokemon still has "unfinished business" in its current location. This means the Pokemon is tied to incomplete requests or story events that must be resolved before it can leave. This guide explains how to identify and complete a Pokemon's unfinished business so you can move it to a different area.
What Causes Unfinished Business
Unfinished business is triggered when a Pokemon has an active role in the current area's story or request chain. Specifically, a Pokemon cannot leave if:
It introduced you to the area and still has tutorial-related tasks remaining.
It was requested by an NPC and that request chain is not yet complete.
It taught you a new move or ability and has follow-up tasks pending.
Another Pokemon's request at a higher trainer rank requires this Pokemon to be present.
How to Resolve It
Step 1: Complete the Pokemon's Request Chain
To complete their unfinished business, you need to reach the end of that Pokemon's line of requests, alongside other requests related to that Pokemon. Open your request log and look for any active or available requests involving the Pokemon you want to move. Complete them in order.
Step 2: Complete Related Story Requests
For Pokemon with story roles in an area, you must also complete the area's important requests. Story-relevant Pokemon typically include those who introduce you to the area, are requested by other NPCs, or teach you new moves. Even if the Pokemon's own requests are done, it may remain locked if another Pokemon's request chain in the same area depends on it.
Step 3: Check Trainer Rank Requirements
If a Pokemon still cannot move after you have completed all visible requests, it is likely needed for another Pokemon's request at a higher trainer rank. Raise your trainer rank by completing challenges and requests in other areas, then return to check if new requests have unlocked.
Pokemon Without Story Roles
Pokemon that you spawned via habitats and have no important story role can be moved to a different area at any time, as long as they do not have an active request. If a non-story Pokemon shows the unfinished business message, check whether it currently has a pending request. Complete or cancel that request, and the Pokemon should be free to relocate.
How to Move Pokemon Between Areas
Once a Pokemon's unfinished business is resolved, you can relocate it:
Talk to the Pokemon and ask it to follow you.
Walk to the gate connecting the current area to your desired destination.
Pass through the gate with the Pokemon following you.
Pre-build a home or habitat in the destination area so the Pokemon has somewhere to live. Check the Habitat Dex for compatible habitat types.
Fast Travel Alternative
Instead of walking through gates, you can use the "Return Home" option in the Pokedex menu. This lets you teleport a Pokemon back to a location where you maintain a house, skipping the walk through connecting areas.
Tips
Check your request log frequently. Unfinished business is always tied to incomplete requests, so staying on top of your active quests prevents surprises.
Build a home or habitat at your destination before attempting to move a Pokemon. The Pokemon needs a place to live in the new area.
If a Pokemon seems permanently stuck, raise your trainer rank. Some request chains only unlock at higher ranks.
Non-story Pokemon (those you attracted with habitats) are almost always free to move as long as they have no active request.
Use the Walkthrough to identify which requests are story-critical in each area.