Scanner Guide - How to Get and Use

Scanner Overview

Handheld Tool

What is a Scanner?

The Scanner is one of the most important early-game tools in Subnautica 2. Using the Scanner allows players to unlock new blueprints and databank entries essential for progression.

How to Get the Scanner

Craft to Obtain Scanner

The Scanner can be crafted early using the Fabricator inside your Lifepod. Once you establish a base, you can also build a Fabricator there to craft additional tools and equipment.

Scanner Crafting Materials

Most materials required for the Scanner blueprint recipe can be found within the starting biome, making it one of the first essential tools players should prioritize early in the game.

Scanner Upgrades

Can Be Upgraded to Bioscanner

The Scanner can be upgraded into the Bioscanner, which allows you to scan advanced alien lifeforms and Axum technology.

Bioscanner Blueprint in Cicada Wreck

The upgrade blueprint can be obtained from the Cicada Wreck (EVA Prep). Explore the wreck carefully and scan the blueprint data to unlock the Bioscanner upgrade for the standard Scanner.

Craft at the Modification Station

Craft the Modification Station to unlock the ability to craft advanced equipment upgrades, including the Bioscanner.

Scanner Uses

How to Use the Scanner

You can use the Scanner on objects, creatures, fragments, and structures to unlock their Databank entries, blueprints, and useful survival information.

Unlock Databank Entries

Using the Scanner on creatures, tools, fragments, and structures adds new Databank entries to the PDA, expanding available information and progression data.

Scan List

All Scannable Items

Flora and Fauna

Scanning reveals detailed databank information on aquatic wildlife and plants. Every scan helps uncover more about the world’s ecosystem and identify alien wildlife.

Discover Alien Creatures

Scanning fauna provides detailed information about alien creatures. Identifying wildlife can help you avoid threats and better understand nearby ecosystems.

Minerals

Scanning mineral resources provides information on resource deposits and helps locate materials needed for crafting tools, equipment, and base upgrades.

Equipment and Tools

Equipment fragments can be scanned to obtain new blueprints for key survival tools and advanced technology that improve exploration, resource collection, and overall survival efficiency in underwater biomes.

Base Buildings and Facilities

Base modules can be scanned to gain blueprint progress for constructing and expanding your underwater habitat.

Scan Facility Equipment to Unlock

Facility equipment can be scanned to acquire new base-related blueprints. These include essential systems and structural components needed to expand and improve your underwater facilities.

Vehicles

Vehicles can be unlocked by scanning fragments and collecting blueprint data, allowing you to craft advanced transport tools for faster and safer exploration across the ocean depths.

Leviathans

Scanning Leviathans unlocks detailed databank entries about massive apex predators and other giant lifeforms to avoid dangerous encounters and prepare for deep-sea exploration.

Scanner Tips

Scan Everything You Find

Even common objects can unlock useful recipes or databank entries. Scanning early and often helps speed up progression and unlock better tools faster.

Explore Wrecks and Outposts

Wrecks, abandoned camps, and outposts often contain valuable scannable equipment. Following lights and exploring ruined facilities is one of the best ways to discover new blueprints.

Always Carry Extra Batteries

The Scanner uses a rechargeable battery that gradually drains during use. Depleted batteries can be swapped out or recharged using a Battery Terminal.

Related Articles

Recommended Guides

Walkthrough (Early to Late-Game)	Plant Farming Guide	Cooking and Recipes Guide
Best Biomods	Best Tadpole Upgrades	Metal Farm Guide

Progression & Priorities
Early Game	Mid-Game	Late Game

Lists

All Leviathans	All Items List	Biomes & PoI List
Blackbox List	Recipe Data Cards (Blueprints)	Vehicle List
Buildings & Facilities List

Notable Items

Salt	Silver	Copper
Lead	Lucifer Rotsac	Conduit Crystals
Creature Enamel	Enameled Glass	Troilite
Celestine

Guides for Beginners

Multiplayer Guide	How to Eat Food (Digestion)	How to Craft Items
Drinking Water Guide	How to Craft Air Tank?	How to Get Basic Fins
Scanner Station Guide	How to Manage Your Oxygen?	Base Guide
Alien Ruins	How to Use Coordinates	Tadpole Guide
How to Get More Storage	How to Get a Rebreather	Bioscanner Guide
Night Survival Guide	How to Heal	Angel Comb Guide
How to Power Your Base	How to Recharge Batteries and Tools	How to Get the Repair Tool
World Tree Guide	Flashlight Guide	Strong Acid Guide
How to Get Heat Tolerance	Scanner Guide	How to Get Tadpole Depth Module Mk. 2

Pre-Game Guides

Specs Requirements	New Game Features	Is There Crossplay?
Supported Devices	Update & Roadmap	How Long to Beat?
Can You Play Subnautica 2 on PS5 and PS4?	Is Subnautica 2 on Xbox?	Is Subnautica 2 on Steam?
Is Subnautica 2 on Switch?