Please note, faction and codename changes are not guaranteed. Change requests are currently taking 7+ weeks to review and process. You will receive an email reply once the change is completed or denied. Submitting multiple requests does not speed up the process and may result in your change being processed more than once, even if that's not your intent.
Codename changes
  • Codename changes are only allowed for players that accidentally input their real name or their activation code.
  • Request a codename change via the Ingress Help Center
Faction changes
  • Only one faction change is permitted per player.
  • If a faction change request is accepted, that player’s Portals, live Resonators, and inventory items (i.e. XMPs, Resonators, Keys, etc) will be lost, and the player will be returned to Level 1 with 0AP.
  • Request a faction change via the Ingress Help Center

If one of your teammates changes allegiances, you may see NIAOPSDAEMONX destroying entities. Do not be alarmed, all traitor activity must be wiped. Some of your related entities may be destroyed in the process, but it is for your own good and the security of your faction.
NIA Recommendation: Retain your current alliance. Have faith, this did not happen by chance, you were chosen.
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Process: 

Applying for a Faction Switch 

People go to this link and request a change. They will have to write a narrative about why they're switching.


Timeframe:

It takes varying amounts of time to come through. Mine was just shy of 4 weeks. My other buddies were longer. They say 7 weeks and that was consistent with a friend's recent switch. 

Game Play While Switching:
People are in what I call limboland. They will most likely get shunned and booted out of social media (or leave) once they put their switch in. 

Its also awkward attacking your soon-to-be new faction teammates portals and fields. I did not let that stop me though. (Hey, I was still working on badges!). Lol. 

New faction team mates won't likely want to play with the player in the midst of a switch. I kind of slowed down and enjoyed a bit of a break before my switch came through. I knew I was going to be playing hard to level up again in my new faction. 

Mechanics & Now What?

When Your Faction Change Comes Through:

Its like you've downloaded the game again. You have to input your name. If you want to change your game name this is when you do it. 

All of your AP and gear is gone. You will be at 0AP. 0 Inventory. 

GO HACK THINGS and DEPLOY on everything you can! 

Welcome to your Faction Change and Leveling up for the second time. 

All of your resonators will disappear from the portals they are on. 

You will continue to own portals though. You will also continue to own any fields you have up. 

Random Factors:

Every local faction is going to handle things differently. Some groups have interim social media groups (such as Google hangouts) you can be invited to while you're in the midst of your Faction Change. This offers an opportunity for some of the people in the new faction to get to know you & vice versa. 

A funny thing happened when I switched. I like to field. A lot. So, when my faction change came through, I showed up on the Resistance regional leaderboard. With a green game name. I got a kick out of that, a lot of people did. Some, I'm sure did not. ;-}

Once your faction switch comes through, hopefully you have friends and new faction members who will be able to help you level up. It benefits everyone to help players level up to 8 quickly. 

Don't expect to get invited to join the BAF team in your new faction for a bit. People may remain a bit nervous about your intentions in switching factions. And these are special ops that tend to include only those involved in the op. 

Find out about local farms and groups. There may be other hangouts you can be added to, so if you're interested in the social/team aspect, ask if these exist. 

Hopefully more experienced players will also reach out to you in Faction Chat and help you join the faction community. 

Have Fun! Its easier this time, as you know how to play. Meet new people (if that's your thing! 

More Questions?

People can feel free to private message me if they have more questions. Or just write a comment. They need to be moderated, so they won't be public.