Let’s be real: staring at a locked safe while clickers are breathing down your neck is the peak "The Last of Us" experience. You’re standing in a dusty bedroom, scavenged supplies are low, and there’s a heavy metal box mocking you. You know there’s scrap or ammo in there. You just need the numbers.
In The Last of Us Part 2, "the apartment safe" usually refers to one of two major locations during Seattle Day 2. One belongs to Ellie’s trek through the Seraphites territory, and the other is found during Abby’s vertical nightmare in The Shortcut.
Honestly, the puzzles aren't even that hard once you stop overthinking them.
The Wedding Anniversary Safe (Ellie – Seattle Day 2)
If you’re playing as Ellie and wandering down Route 5 toward the hospital, you’ll hit a locked gate that requires a dumpster to bypass. Don't push that dumpster yet. Look up. There’s an apartment building right there.
You can’t go through the front door. It's locked. Instead, climb onto the truck parked outside or head into the crawlspace/laundry room area to the right. Most people just smash the second-story window and hop in.
Finding the Clue
Inside, you’ll find a note on the table. It’s a sweet, somewhat sad "Evacuation Letter" from a guy named Sam to his wife. He mentions that the safe code is still set to their wedding anniversary.
"It's been thirty years, but I assume you remember when that was, right?"
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Basically, the game is calling you out for not knowing their anniversary. Check the bedroom. On the wall right next to the bed, there’s a calendar. It has "30th Anniversary" circled on October 8, 2013.
Doing the Math
The game takes place in a world that ended in 2013. If it was their 30th anniversary in 2013, they got married in 1983.
The safe code is 10-08-83.
Some people get tripped up by the date format. If you’re playing the international version or just prefer the day-month-year style, the game is actually pretty smart. It’ll often accept 08-10-83 as well, but 10-08-83 is the standard solution.
Inside, you’re usually rewarded with supplements and ammo. It's definitely worth the two minutes of math.
The Neighbor Exchange Safe (Abby – Seattle Day 2)
Now, if you’re playing as Abby and currently terrified of heights while climbing the "Shortcut," you’ll come across a very different apartment. This is after you’ve hopped across the rapids and made your way into a residential building with a D&D-style tabletop game set up on a table.
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This one is clever. It’s not about a date; it’s about a conversation between neighbors.
The Apartment Number Trick
There’s a note on the table called the "Neighbor Exchange." It says that the safe code is their apartment number followed by the neighbor's apartment number.
You are currently in Apartment 302.
You can see this by looking at the door as you enter or checking the hallway.
Walk out into the hallway and look at the door across from you. That’s Apartment 304.
The safe code is 30-23-04.
Wait, why isn't it 302-304? Because the safe only takes six digits. You just smash them together.
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- Your room: 302
- Their room: 304
- Result: 30-23-04
You’ll find this safe in the bedroom closet of the apartment you’re already in (302). It usually contains some much-needed scrap and crafting materials. Given how brutal Abby's encounters can get in this chapter, don't skip it.
Why Do These Safes Matter?
In a game like The Last of Us Part 2, you aren't just looking for loot. These safes are "environmental storytelling" 101. They tell you about people who were just trying to live their lives before everything went south.
Sam and his wife, or the neighbors trading supplies—these are the ghosts of Seattle.
Beyond the lore, opening every safe is the only way to earn the "Safecracker" trophy. If you're going for the Platinum, you can't afford to miss these.
A Pro Tip for Stealth Players
If you’re ever stuck and don't want to look up a guide (though, hey, thanks for being here), you can actually "crack" safes by listening.
When you turn the dial, the correct number makes a slightly different "click" sound. It's higher pitched and sharper than the others. If you have good headphones, you can open every single safe in the game without finding a single note. It’s a cool detail Naughty Dog added for accessibility, but it works for everyone.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your inventory: Ensure you actually picked up the "Evacuation Letter" or "Neighbor Exchange" note if you’re going for the "Archivist" trophy.
- Listen for the click: Try opening the next safe by sound alone before you look for the clue. It’s satisfying as hell.
- Don't forget the pharmacy: If you just finished the Ellie apartment safe, there is another safe nearby in Weston’s Pharmacy (code 38-55-23) before you hit the hospital.