The Erangel "secret basement" that players search for is officially called a Secret Room. Erangel received these rooms with Update 26.1 in October 2023. According to the official patch notes, they can only be reached through underground entrances in Erangel's natural surroundings, and their doors open with a world-spawned Secret Room Key. Because the entrances lead underground, many players simply call them basements.
Secret Rooms saw three major changes in 2026: Miramar got Secret Rooms inside abandoned mines, Secret Rooms came to Ranked, and the loot pools in Taego and Rondo were reworked. Below, we have collected only what PUBG's official patch notes say.
What exactly is the Erangel "secret basement"?
The Update 26.1 notes describe Erangel's Secret Rooms as rooms that have been untouched for a long time and hold high-value items. They are spread throughout the map, and their entrances are underground passages in Erangel's natural surroundings. The notes also advise leaving before enemies arrive, because fights here can be very deadly.
- Item needed: the Secret Room Key, which spawns randomly across the map like regular loot.
- Entrance: underground entrances in Erangel's natural surroundings.
- Modes: Normal Match and Custom Match at launch, and Ranked since Update 42.1.
- Erangel Classic: the May 2024 Erangel Classic event had no Secret Rooms (Update 29.2).
PUBG has not officially published how many Secret Rooms Erangel has or where every entrance is. Location maps shared online are based on players' own observations and can change with updates, so use them together with the underground entrances you actually see in game.
Where does the Secret Room Key spawn and how do you use it?
The key does not have a fixed spawn point; it appears randomly across the map like weapons and healing items. Once it is in your inventory, go to the locked door of a Secret Room and open it with the interaction key. A few map differences matter:
- Rondo: according to the Update 38.2 notes, opening any one of the four doors of Rondo's Secret Room unlocks all of them.
- Vikendi: Vikendi's rooms open with a Security Key. Update 25.1 fixed an issue that let players enter them without one.
- Normal and Ranked: Update 35.2 in May 2025 stated that Secret Room Keys spawn only in Normal Match. Update 42.1 on June 16, 2026 then made Secret Rooms available in Ranked as well.
Which maps have Secret Rooms?
| Map | Secret Rooms | Details from the official notes |
|---|---|---|
| Erangel | Yes (Update 26.1, October 2023) | Underground entrances in natural surroundings, Secret Room Key |
| Miramar | Yes (Update 41.2, May 12, 2026) | Inside abandoned mines, Secret Room Key |
| Taego | Yes | Shelving and loot reworked in Update 42.2 |
| Rondo | Yes (Update 38.2, November 2025) | Opening one door unlocks all four |
| Vikendi | Yes | Opened with a Security Key |
| Paramo | Yes | Update 42.1 fixed unintended access using a motorcycle |
| Deston | Yes | Included in Custom Match Esports Mode |
Miramar's rooms arrived with Update 41.2. The official notes say they lead into abandoned mines hidden in Miramar's deserts and cliffs, and that you traverse dark underground passages and unlock the doors with special Secret Room Keys. As on Erangel, the keys spawn randomly across the map.
With Update 42.1 (June 16, 2026), Secret Rooms became available in these modes:
- Ranked: Erangel, Miramar, Rondo and Taego.
- Custom Match Esports Mode: Erangel, Miramar, Rondo, Taego, Vikendi and Deston.
What can you find in a Secret Room? 2026 loot changes
- Update 41.1 (April 8, 2026): the new Emergency Support Flare can also come from Secret Rooms. The strongest Jammer Pack (Lv.3) comes only from Care Packages, Secret Rooms, Loot Trucks, Lab Camps and Emergency Supply Drops.
- Update 42.2 (July 14, 2026), Taego: the shelving layout changed. Ghillie Suits, Pickaxe, Jammer Pack, Folded Shield, Mountain Bike, Mortar, Repair Kit, M79, Stun Gun, Zipline Gun and Emergency Cover Flare, which did not spawn there before, can now spawn. Vector, ACE32, M24, Kar98k, Micro UZI, UMP and S12K were added to the weapon pool; K2, VSS and S686 were removed.
- Update 42.2, Rondo: Care Package weapons now spawn only from their dedicated slot instead of having a chance in every weapon category slot. S12K, UMP, MP5K and JS9 were added and VSS was removed.
- Vikendi (Update 24.1): apart from a rare world spawn, the Self-AED is obtained only from Secret Rooms.
Practical tips for a Secret Room run
A Secret Room is valuable but risky. Get a weapon and a vehicle first, then head for a room once you have the key. In a squad, have one player hold the entrance while another loots. An underground entrance is often the only way out, so plan your exit and where you leave your vehicle before going in. Do not linger after opening the door; as the official notes warn, fights here can be very deadly.
For Paramo, Taego and the other maps' Secret Rooms and the bear caves, see our PUBG Secret Rooms and bear caves guide. If you want smooth frame rates in tight underground passages, also check our PUBG FPS boost launch options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you use the PUBG secret basement key?
The "secret basement" is Erangel's Secret Room. Pick up a world-spawned Secret Room Key, go down one of the underground entrances in Erangel's natural surroundings and open the locked door with the interaction key.
How many Secret Rooms are on Erangel?
PUBG has not given an official number. The Update 26.1 notes only say that Secret Rooms were added throughout Erangel.
Are Secret Rooms in Ranked?
Yes. Since Update 42.1 on June 16, 2026, Ranked has Secret Rooms on Erangel, Miramar, Rondo and Taego.
How many doors does one key open on Rondo?
According to Update 38.2, opening any one of the four doors of Rondo's Secret Room unlocks all four.
Where are Miramar's Secret Rooms?
According to the Update 41.2 notes, Miramar's Secret Rooms are inside abandoned mines in its deserts and cliffs. The doors open with world-spawned Secret Room Keys.