To decrypt a shard in Cyberpunk 2077, open it from the pickup notification or go to Journal > Shards, select the encrypted shard, then choose the on-screen decrypt or crack option. The game launches Breach Protocol, where you select characters from a code matrix to reproduce the objective’s sequence.
Decrypt a shard from your Journal
- Open the shard. Use its pickup notification if it is still available, or open Journal > Shards.
- Select the encrypted entry. The decrypt control appears after you select the shard.
- Start the decrypt action. Follow the on-screen prompt to begin Breach Protocol. GOG Support Center explains that this minigame works by “recreating a code sequence and selecting characters from the Code Matrix” (GOG Support Center).
- Complete the active objective. Select the characters in the order requested by the sequence displayed in the minigame.
Decrypt the Militech Datashard in The Pickup
During The Pickup, Meredith Stout can give V the Militech Datashard. Its Breach Protocol screen presents two objectives: Neutralize Malware, which removes malware from the shard, and Datamine: Copy Malware, which copies the daemon infecting it.
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For this Militech Datashard example, PC Gamer lists these sequences:
| Objective | Sequence | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Neutralize Malware | 55, 1C, E9 | Removes the malware from the shard. |
| Datamine: Copy Malware | BD, BD, FF, 55 | Copies the daemon infecting the shard. |
These are specific to the Militech Datashard, not universal codes for encrypted shards. The guide says a matrix route can complete both objectives, so you do not necessarily have to choose between removing and copying the malware. Use the matrix and objectives shown for your shard; other shards may have different sequences. (PC Gamer’s The Pickup guide)
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Quick Recap
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Rank #4
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Rank #3
- THE ULTIMATE CYBERPUNK 2077 EXPERIENCE - Includes the critically acclaimed spy thriller expansion Phantom Liberty
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK
- Explore the city of the future – you decide when you want to go where and how to get there
- Decide how the story ends – your choices in the main game as well as in the spy thriller adventure Phantom Liberty lead to a complex web of consequences
Rank #2
- Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure story set in Night City
- Become a cyberpunk, an urban mercenary equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City
- Take the riskiest job of your life and go after a prototype implant that is the key to immortality
#1 Best Overall
- Explore all of Night City’s extremes — From V’s rise as a cyberpunk mercenary in Night City to their journey into the shadowy world of spies in Dogtown, dive into the full story and carve your own path through it.
- Meet unforgettable characters — Forge relationships with a rich cast of characters all with their own dreams, tragedies, and tales to tell, including Keanu Reeves as rockerboy Johnny Silverhand and Idris Elba as secret agent Solomon Reed.
- Explore one of the most immersive cities in video games — Experience a breathtaking city of the dark future at home or on the go with the power of Nintendo Switch 2! Customize your journey from the very first steps with performance and quality mode.
If you cannot find the decrypt option or shard
- Check Journal > Shards and select the encrypted entry; the action prompt may not appear until the shard is selected.
- Use the button or key shown in your game. The control label can vary by platform, and a universal button mapping is not established.
- If a quest shard is not listed, the available guidance does not establish one fix for every quest state. Check the relevant quest and shard entries in your Journal rather than assuming every shard appears in the same place.
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