How to Get Golden Keys in SimCity BuildIt
How to Get Golden Keys in SimCity BuildIt
Golden Keys are a special currency in SimCity BuildIt, and knowing how to get Golden Keys in SimCity BuildIt unlocks the best part of city building. Almost all specialization buildings — parks, education, transport, entertainment, landmarks, worship, beach, mountain and gambling buildings, apart from basic parks and department buildings — need Golden Keys to buy. They are also used to upgrade Disaster Cards. You cannot buy Golden Keys directly with Simoleons, so you have to earn them through play.
Disaster challenges — the best source
The most efficient Golden Key source, according to community guides, is Dr. Vu’s Tower. Launch a disaster on your own city, then repair the damaged buildings with the repair items the game asks for. Each completed disaster challenge pays Golden Keys and Simoleons. To unlock the Vu Tower you need 90,000 population and 40,000 Simoleons to build it, according to EA Help. You also need Vu’s special items — Vu’s Battery, Vu’s Remote and Vu’s Gloves — to launch a disaster. There are six main disaster types in the game, including meteor strike, earthquake, tornado, robot attack, alien invasion and zombie outbreak, according to community guides. Repairing after each one is the work that earns the keys.
Cargo shipments
Complete cargo shipments at the docks. Each item packed pays Simoleons, and a complete shipment — every item in the order filled — pays a Golden Key bonus. A partial shipment pays Simoleons for what you packed, but no Golden Key. That makes cargo a steady, predictable Golden Key source: finish the whole order or the key does not come. Check the ship timer before you start, so you do not begin an order you cannot finish in time.
Contest of Mayors and events
Contest of Mayors rewards include Golden Keys, and higher leagues pay more. Event Tracks and seasonal events also include Golden Keys among their rewards. These are weekly and seasonal, so they are not a daily source, but they add up over a season. Club Wars rewards can also include Golden Keys, and winning clubs receive them as part of war prizes.
Golden Chest and gift bubbles
Your daily chest run includes a Golden Chest every seventh day, and community guides report that it can contain Golden Keys as well as SimCash. Gift bubbles in other cities can also contain Golden Keys. Neither is reliable on its own, but both are free and take seconds, so collect them whenever you are visiting other cities anyway.
Buying Golden Keys with SimCash
Golden Keys can be bought with SimCash in the game. This is a real option, but it is expensive in premium currency, so most players save it for a building they really want and cannot wait for. Do not spend SimCash on Golden Keys for a building you could earn in a week of disasters and cargo — the SimCash is usually worth more elsewhere, for example on storage or depot slots.
Spend Golden Keys wisely
Golden Keys are scarce, so spend them on specialization buildings that raise happiness and population in the area where your homes need it most. A building that boosts a large residential area is worth more than one placed where few homes benefit. Check the boost area and boost size before you buy, and do not spend keys on a building just because it looks good in isolation.
FAQ
What are Golden Keys used for in SimCity BuildIt?
Mostly specialization buildings — parks, education, transport, entertainment, landmarks and more — and upgrading Disaster Cards.
What is the fastest way to get Golden Keys?
Disaster challenges from Dr. Vu’s Tower, according to community guides, followed by complete cargo shipments.
Can I buy Golden Keys with Simoleons?
No. Golden Keys are earned through disasters, cargo, contests and events, or bought with SimCash.
How many Golden Keys does a cargo shipment give?
Community guides report one Golden Key for a complete shipment. Partial shipments pay Simoleons only, no key.
Do I need Golden Keys for every special building?
Almost all specialization buildings need them, apart from basic parks and department or headquarters buildings.
Learn the disaster system in our Dr. Vu guide in this series, and start at our homepage.
