Opening locked crates in Probably Stolen requires the correct department keycard, and having a card labeled Supply doesn't mean it will work on every supply crate. You'll need to identify the crate's department and obtain a matching disposable card, either through crafting, trading, or certain customers.
How to Open Locked Crates
Which Keycard Opens Each Crate?
How to Make Keycards
Other Ways to Get Keycards
Should You Open or Sell Crates?
Why Your Crate Won't Open
How Do You Open Supply Crates in Probably Stolen?
To open a crate in Probably Stolen, you need a Disposable Keycard matching its department. For example, an Engineering Foundry Supply Crate requires an Engineering keycard, while a Security Department Evidence Locker requires a Security keycard. Alternatively, a Command keycard can unlock any of the sealed crates.
The process is straightforward once you have the right card:
- Check the name of your sealed crate to identify its department.
- Obtain a matching Disposable Keycard or a Command keycard.
- Use the keycard to unlock the corresponding crate.
- Collect the items inside the opened container.
Each keycard is consumed when used, so you'll need another card to open additional crates.
The main difficulty is obtaining the correct access card. Some cards can be purchased, while others are easier to acquire by producing them with equipment from Dr. Jackson.
Which Keycard Opens Each Crate?
Probably Stolen has five confirmed sealed crate types, and most require a card associated with their department.
| Crate | Required Keycard |
|---|---|
| Security Department Supply Crate | Security |
| Security Department Evidence Locker | Security |
| Medical Bay Supply Crate | Medical |
| Engineering Foundry Supply Crate | Engineering |
| Service Department Supply Crate | Service |
The Command keycard is the exception. It works on every listed crate, making it especially useful when you have several different types waiting to be opened.
Why Doesn't a Supply Keycard Work?
One easily overlooked detail is that Supply is its own keycard category. It isn't a universal card for every container with "Supply Crate" in its name.
For example, an Engineering Foundry Supply Crate still requires an Engineering card, not a Supply card. The same applies to Security and Medical crates.
Always use the department name when determining which keycard you need.
What About Research Keycards?
Research keycards also exist, but the documented crate list doesn't include a corresponding Research crate.
There's no need to craft a Research card for one of the five confirmed crate types. A Command card is the more flexible option if you want access to different departments.
How to Make Disposable Keycards
The most reliable way to produce department keycards is to obtain a Cryptographic Desequencer from Dr. Jackson, along with the appropriate programming chip.
The machine allows you to create access cards rather than depending entirely on what other characters happen to sell.
What Do You Need to Craft a Keycard?
You'll need the following:
- Cryptographic Desequencer: The machine used to program access cards.
- Department chip or module: Determines which type of keycard the machine produces.
- Blank keycards: Used as the cards that will be programmed.
- Battery: Supplies power for the process.
Once you have the equipment, install the appropriate department chip, provide the blank keycards and power, and allow the machine to complete its work.
Programming takes multiple days, so this isn't necessarily an immediate solution if you've just obtained a crate.
Which Module Should You Use?
Use the chip corresponding to the card you need. An Engineering crate requires an Engineering keycard, so you need the Engineering programming chip. A Security crate requires the Security version.
If you have several different crates, a Command chip is particularly attractive because Command cards can open all five confirmed types.
However, consider the availability and cost of the equipment before dedicating resources to card production. The machine and its associated equipment can be a significant investment, especially early in a playthrough.
Other Ways to Get Keycards Without Crafting
You don't necessarily need a card-programming machine to open your first crate. Probably Stolen offers alternative ways to obtain access cards through certain characters and trading systems.
Buy Keycards From Thieves
Placing a Black Lamp in your shop's advertisement window attracts thieves who may offer stolen goods, including sealed crates and disposable keycards.
Sometimes, a thief can offer a crate and its matching keycard together.
This can save you the effort of setting up a programming machine, although the available inventory is unpredictable. You cannot depend on receiving a particular department card whenever a thief visits.
Use the Underground Exchange
The Underground Exchange provides another way to obtain access cards.
One useful trade allows you to exchange a Command keycard for two random cards drawn from the Engineering, Medical, and Security departments.
This can be helpful when you need several department-specific cards rather than a universal one.
The Exchange also offers crate-related trades, including exchanging a Security crate for three Security keycards or a Medical or Engineering crate for four matching department cards.
However, trading away a crate means giving up that container, so consider whether you would rather open it or exchange it for supplies needed elsewhere.
For more details on accessing these trades, see our Probably Stolen Underground Exchange Guide.
Should You Open Crates or Sell Them?
Opening a crate isn't automatically the most profitable decision, particularly during the early weeks when money and storage space are limited.
Security crates are a good example. Obtaining the necessary keycard equipment can require a considerable investment, and storing a sealed crate while waiting for a card takes up valuable room.
If you already have access to the required keycard, opening the crate becomes more appealing. Otherwise, selling or trading it may be preferable to spending money you need for rent or other priorities.
What Happens After You Open a Crate?
Once opened, the crate itself becomes an ordinary container valued at 15 Credits. It loses its sealed designation and is no longer considered stolen or contraband.
However, the items inside may still include contraband. Opening a Security crate doesn't automatically make all of its contents safe to display during an inspection.
Opened crates can also serve as storage for items you own, although they cannot hold bags or other containers.
Are Crate Contents Always the Same?
No. The available crate information establishes that contents are generated through item rolls rather than a single guaranteed reward list.
Luck also affects those rolls. If your Luck is higher when you open a crate than when it was generated, the crate can be filled again using the higher value.
That makes the rewards less predictable than the crate's department name might suggest. Don't assume a particular weapon, medical item, or other valuable reward is guaranteed before spending resources on a keycard.
Be Careful With Contraband
Sealed Security crates and Evidence Lockers can create problems during inspections, and some keycard-related equipment is also considered contraband.
A Smuggler's Bay can help conceal restricted items while you're waiting to open or sell them.
I'd avoid investing heavily in a crate-opening setup during the first week unless you can afford the equipment and have a way to handle the inspection risk. Keeping up with your shop's expenses may be more important than immediately opening an expensive container.
Why Won't Your Crate Open in Probably Stolen?
You Have the Wrong Department Keycard
This is the most important thing to check. A Supply card won't open an Engineering Supply Crate, and a Medical card won't open a Security Evidence Locker.
Use the matching department card or a Command card instead.
You Have a Blank Keycard
Blank keycards must be programmed before they can open department crates.
Make sure you have the correct chip installed in your card-programming machine and that the card-production process has finished.
Your Keycard Machine Isn't Producing Cards
Check whether the machine has the required battery, blank keycards, and department chip.
Also remember that programming takes time. Having the machine and materials doesn't mean your finished keycard will be ready immediately.
You Already Used the Keycard
Disposable keycards are consumed on use. Opening one crate doesn't provide permanent access to every crate from that department.
You'll need another matching card for the next sealed container, or a new Command card if you're using those instead.
To open crates in Probably Stolen, focus on obtaining the correct department keycard rather than collecting random access cards. Dr. Jackson's programming equipment provides a reliable production method, while thieves and the Underground Exchange offer alternatives. Command cards are useful because they open every confirmed crate type, but remember that unlocking crates can be expensive and their contents aren't guaranteed. Sometimes selling a sealed crate is the smarter choice.
