How to Get the Magnifying Glass and Secret Notes in Stardew Valley
With Stardew Valley 1.3 now available on PC, players can explore fresh additions like the Magnifying Glass and Secret Notes. Want to know how to get the Magnifying Glass and Secret Notes? This guide will show you exactly how to find them and start uncovering their secrets!
What is the Magnifying Glass?
The Magnifying Glass is a special item introduced in the 1.3 update of Stardew Valley. This tool is essential for finding and reading Secret Notes—hidden notes of information that provide clues, hints, and sometimes even reward players with unique insights. Here’s what the game says about the Magnifying Glass:
“You received the Magnifying Glass! You now have the ability to find ‘Secret Notes’. These notes reveal rare and useful information and can be reviewed in your collections tab.”
With this item in your inventory, you’ll unlock the ability to read Secret Notes that you find while completing various activities in the game.
How to Get the Magnifying Glass
To get the Magnifying Glass, complete the “A Winter Mystery” quest when it becomes available. Follow these steps to find it, as shown in the video above from the Hold to Reset YouTube channel:
- Find Shadow Guy: During the Winter season , leave your farm and head east into Pelican Town. As you walk, you’ll see Shadow Guy making a quick escape.
- Track the Footprints: Follow the footprints left by Shadow Guy. These tracks lead to a bush located beside the playground in town.
- Retrieve the Magnifying Glass: Interact with the bush to trigger a short cutscene. Shadow Guy will appear and give you the Magnifying Glass, saying, “Eeeeep! You caught me! I’m sorry! Take it! Take it! It looked so valuable, I couldn’t help myself…”
Once you’ve acquired the Magnifying Glass, you’re ready to start collecting and reading Secret Notes.
How to Find Secret Notes
Secret Notes can be found in various ways throughout Stardew Valley. Here are the primary methods to discover them:
- Defeating Monsters: Enemies that you encounter in mines and on your farm may drop Secret Notes upon defeat.
- Digging Up Worms: Look for worms wriggling on the ground. Digging in these spots often reveals Secret Notes.
- Mining Rocks: Break rocks and boulders found in the mines or around your farm to uncover hidden notes.
- Cutting Weeds: Clearing weeds from your farm and other areas may also yield Secret Notes.
In total, there are 27 Secret Notes to collect. These notes vary in content; some provide direct item recommendations for specific characters, while others lead you on scavenger hunts or reveal unique aspects of the game.
If you are looking for more Stardew Valley guides we’ve got you covered. Check out our Stardew Valley guide hub for various articles that will help you on your farming adventure.
What are your thoughts on the Magnifying Glass and Secret Notes in Stardew Valley? Have you uncovered any intriguing secrets or discoveries? Share your experiences, tips, and feedback in the comments below!
FOR ANYONE WHO HASN’T SEEN THIS IN THEIR GAME : If you are not playing on a computer you can not see this. This is computer only. (PC) If you are playing on PS4,Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. You WILL NOT get this cutscene. Your welcome!
I play on a Switch and I got this cutscene, I don’t know what you are talking about
I’m on my 5 year and I walk out onto the bus entrance but no Krobis… And I don’t know how to update on Xbox One. Help me.
I dont find the Shadow Guy???
I think you have to donate 60 items to the museum also so that you get the key from Gunther to go into the sewers where the black ghost (Krobus) lives, that’s when it popped out to me anyway
can you receive the magnifying glass in a existing savegame, where you’re already in year 5 and higher? any experiences?
In the video you have on this page you do not see the shadow guy run away at all, I just watched it several times from the beginning. He never showed up for me all through the winter, each morning I took the same route towards village expecting him and nothing. Not sure how to fix this without cheating. And I never got notes from trees, someone here mentions getting them from trees. Maybe he doesnt show on your first winter??
Make sure your game is up to date! Updating worked for me.
How do you updated on the PS4
Ya on my first to forth year it has not showed up for some reason
You can get the notes from chopping down trees too, I got a couple while trying to get wood for an upgrade.
You can also get the secret notes while fishing, although I lost the secret note I got while participating in the fishing contest during the Winter Ice Festival.
I will add this. Thanks!