You need three blue tablets to unlock the Aurora's cabin and one more to open the Quarantine Enforcement Platform

Blue tablets in Subnautica are data downloads that act as keys to locked doors and terminals. You'll encounter them most often when exploring the Aurora wreck and the Quarantine Enforcement Platform. The exact number you need depends on which areas you're trying to access and whether you're playing on a difficulty that requires them.

The most common use is unlocking the three locked doors inside the Aurora's captain's cabin on Deck 2. Each door requires one blue tablet to open. If you're pushing deeper into the game's story, you'll also need one blue tablet to access the Quarantine Enforcement Platform's control room, which sits on the Lava Castle island. That brings the total to four blue tablets if you want to complete both major locked areas.

Key Takeaways

  • Three blue tablets open the three locked doors in the Aurora's captain's cabin, where you'll find the ship's data and story details.
  • One additional blue tablet opens the control room in the Quarantine Enforcement Platform on the Lava Castle island.
  • Blue tablets are found inside the Aurora wreck itself, in PDA entries scattered around the map, and in certain alien facilities.
  • You can find blue tablets without crafting them, so you don't need to gather raw materials or visit a fabricator.
  • If you're playing Hardcore or Permadeath mode, losing a blue tablet means restarting your run, so store them safely in your base.

Where to find blue tablets in the Aurora

The Aurora wreck is the easiest place to collect blue tablets early in the game. You'll find them lying on the ground in specific rooms rather than having to craft them. The captain's cabin on Deck 2 holds one blue tablet on a desk near the captain's body. The cargo bay on Deck 3 contains another blue tablet sitting on a crate. The third one is in the kitchen area on Deck 1, resting on a counter.

All three of these tablets are free to pick up once you reach them, but the Aurora is a dangerous location. You'll face radiation damage outside the ship until you repair the hull breach, and aggressive fish like Reaper Leviathans patrol the area. Bring a radiation suit or wait until you have the materials to craft one before heading there. The tablets themselves don't require any special tool to collect—just walk up and take them.

The Quarantine Enforcement Platform tablet

The fourth blue tablet you'll need sits inside the Quarantine Enforcement Platform's control room. This facility is located on the Lava Castle island in the Lava Zone, one of the deepest areas of the map. Reaching it requires a vehicle that can handle extreme heat and pressure, like the Prawn Suit with thermal and depth upgrades, or the Neptune rocket if you're at the very end of the game.

The tablet in this location is essential for the game's ending sequence. Without it, you cannot disable the Quarantine Enforcement Platform's lockdown, which prevents you from leaving the planet. This is a story-critical tablet, not an optional one, so plan your deep-sea expedition carefully and bring repair materials in case your vehicle takes damage.

Blue tablets versus other colored tablets

Subnautica uses different colored tablets for different purposes. Red tablets open doors in alien facilities and the Lava Castle. Yellow tablets unlock certain lab areas and storage rooms. Blue tablets are specifically for the Aurora and the Quarantine Enforcement Platform. Confusing them will waste time, so pay attention to the color when you're collecting them.

Each colored tablet opens only its matching colored door. A red tablet won't open a blue door, and vice versa. As you explore, you'll naturally collect tablets of all colors. Store them in your base or locker so you know where they are when you need them. Some players keep a dedicated tablet storage area to avoid the frustration of searching for one when they're ready to unlock a door.

How to use blue tablets at locked doors

When you approach a blue-locked door or terminal, you'll see a prompt on your screen. Stand in front of the door and look at the lock mechanism until the interaction prompt appears. Press the use button (E on PC, the designated button on console), and the game will automatically consume one blue tablet from your inventory. The door will unlock and slide open, giving you access to the room beyond.

If you don't have a blue tablet in your inventory, the prompt won't appear and you won't be able to open the door. The game doesn't warn you in advance, so check your inventory before you travel to a locked area. If you forgot to bring one, you'll need to swim or drive back to your base to retrieve it. This is why many players keep extra tablets in their inventory or in a storage locker near frequently visited locked areas.

Storing and managing your tablets

Blue tablets take up inventory space, so you'll want to store them strategically. Your personal inventory has limited slots, and tablets occupy one slot each. Keep one or two in your inventory for when ready use, and store the rest in a locker at your base or in a nearby facility. If you're playing Hardcore or Permadeath mode, losing your tablets means losing your run, so keep them in a safe location away from danger.

Label your storage containers or use a dedicated room for tablets so you remember where they are. Some players create a "key room" in their base where they keep all colored tablets organized. This prevents the common mistake of traveling to a locked door only to realize you left the tablet at home. It's a small organizational step that saves frustration later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get more blue tablets if I lose one?

Yes. Blue tablets respawn in their original locations if you leave the area and return later. However, in Hardcore and Permadeath modes, losing a tablet means you've lost access to that resource for your current run. In Normal and Creative modes, you can always go back to the Aurora or Quarantine Enforcement Platform to collect another one.

Do I need blue tablets to beat the game?

Yes, you need at least one to access the Quarantine Enforcement Platform's control room, which is required to disable the lockdown and leave the planet. The three Aurora tablets are optional for story completion but recommended because they contain important lore and data entries.

What happens if I use a blue tablet on the wrong door?

The tablet is consumed and the door opens. You can't undo the action, so make sure you're at the right colored door before pressing use. If you accidentally use a blue tablet on a blue door you didn't intend to open, you'll need to find another one.

Can I craft blue tablets?

No. Blue tablets are only found in the world, not crafted at a fabricator. You must collect them from the Aurora wreck and the Quarantine Enforcement Platform. This is why it's important to know where they are before you need them.

Do I need all four blue tablets at the same time?

No. You can use the three Aurora tablets whenever you want to explore the captain's cabin. The Quarantine Enforcement Platform tablet is only needed at the very end of the game when you're ready to leave the planet. You can complete the Aurora exploration early and collect the final tablet much later.