Just as the Chamber of Secrets (which isn't accessible this time around) demonstrates, Hogwarts Legacy is littered with little secrets just waiting to be discovered. Plenty of them can be unlocked with a simple cast of Alohomora and a mini-game, but learning how to open locked cabinets in Hogwarts Legacy isn't as obvious.
Though the Hogwarts Legacy cabinets scattered throughout the halls have an obvious keyhole adorning them, so do the locked doors and chests dotted around the castle. That doesn't make them a prime target for the unlocking skill Alohomora. That may lead to you think they're just fancy decorations. But they're not.
How to open locked cabinets in Hogwarts Legacy - Hogwarts Legacy Daedalian Keys explained
To start unlocking cabinets in Hogwarts Legacy, you need to complete the quest The Daedalian Keys. Until you do, you won't ever see the little fluttering keys needed to bust the cabinets wide open. You'll find the quest in the Herbology Garden after you visit Hogsmead and clear that early section of the story.
In the quest, you'll hear about the Daedalian keys, but not what they do. Like most things in Hogwarts, they're not simple static keys like you use for your own house - they're enchanted, or charmed. Like flying Field Guide pages, they're found in specific locations and, when caught, lead you back to the exact cabinet they unlock - typically the closest to their hiding spot.
In this first example, just follow your Field Guide up to the very top of the Astronomy Tower.You'll find the first cabinet key fluttering around up there. Get close enough and it'll fly off in the direction of the cabinet it unlocks, so be sure to follow it and the little trail it leaves behind.
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If you lose track with this one, just head back down the tower a little. The cabinet and the key should be in one of the little astronomy nooks. But you'll need to complete a little mini-game first.
Once you've met the key at the cabinet, you'll need to interact with it to get it into the lock. You have no control over where it goes, but it typically moves ever so slightly in a random direction two or three times before finally jutting across to the other side, passing by the lock in the process. Your job is to anticipate the movement and tap the X/Square button to slap it into the lock.
The visual delay and input lack can make it a bit tricky, but there's a generous time buffer to make it a little easier. Again, just note the time between each movement and follow that pattern to figure out when it's likely to jump across to the other side.
Once you slam it in, grab the reward and take it back to the Herbology Garden as proof. She'll tell you what it is, and where you should put it, but you don't need to head there right away. From this point on, you'll be able to find more Daedalian keys scattered throughout Hogwarts. Just follow the same steps (minus the quest) to open them all.
How to find more Daedalian Keys
The best way to find more Daedalian keys is not to look for them, but to look for the cabinets they open. Daedalian keys are rarely too far from the cabinets they open, and the cabinets all look largely the same.
Just keep an eye open for the cabinets, and then keep to that general area of the map to find the key that opens it.
If you need help, just look at our dedicated Hogwarts Legacy Daedalian Keys locations list. It includes not only the keys, but a path of cabinets to follow if you're stuck. You'll unlock relic house uniform robes for your efforts.
For more Hogwarts Legacy guides, check out our dedicated list through the link. For specifics, we recommend how to learn Alohomora. You'll need to read up on our Demiguise statues list to make the most of that one. And consider learning how to unlock the Clock Tower doors and beat the Pensieve Guardian, too.