GTA Mapped

Thursday 12 November 2026 / PS5 & Xbox Series X|S

GTA 6 pre-load

You can download Grand Theft Auto VI a week early, from 12 November 2026, so it is ready to play the moment it unlocks on 19 November. Here is how, on every platform.

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Confirmed by RockstarCounting to midnight Eastern. Rockstar has not announced the pre-load start time.

01/Step by step

How to pre-load GTA 6

PS5

  1. 01Pre-order GTA 6 (Standard or Ultimate) on the PlayStation Store with the account you play on.
  2. 02From 12 November, find Grand Theft Auto VI in your Game Library and choose Download.
  3. 03To let it download overnight, go to Settings, System, Power Saving, Features Available in Rest Mode and turn on Stay Connected to the Internet.
  4. 04Leave the console in Rest Mode. The game unlocks automatically on launch day.

Xbox Series X|S

  1. 01Pre-order GTA 6 on the Microsoft Store with the account you play on.
  2. 02From 12 November, open My games & apps, then Full library, and install Grand Theft Auto VI.
  3. 03For background downloads, set Settings, General, Power options to Sleep so the console keeps downloading while it is off.
  4. 04Leave the console asleep. The game unlocks automatically on launch day.

Boxed copy

  1. 01Boxed copies contain a download code, not a disc, and are in shops from 12 November.
  2. 02Redeem the code on your console's store (PlayStation Store, Redeem Codes; or Microsoft Store, Redeem).
  3. 03The game then appears in your library and downloads like a digital copy.

Menu names are the current PS5 and Xbox system settings and can change with console updates. They are general console steps, not instructions from Rockstar.

02/Still unconfirmed

Times and file size

  • Unconfirmed

    Pre-load start time

    Rockstar has confirmed the date, 12 November, but not the time. We will post the exact time for each platform here as soon as Rockstar, Sony or Microsoft announce it.

  • Unconfirmed

    Unlock time on 19 November

    Rockstar has not announced what time GTA 6 unlocks. Our countdown runs to midnight Eastern Time on 19 November and will be corrected if the official time differs.

  • Unconfirmed

    Download size

    Rockstar has not published the install size. Any figure you see online before pre-loading opens is an estimate.

Launch countdown Compare editions

03 / Questions

GTA 6 pre-load FAQ

When does GTA 6 pre-load start?

On Thursday 12 November 2026, one week before the 19 November launch. Rockstar confirmed the date for digital pre-orders on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but has not said what time pre-loading opens.

Can I pre-load the physical version of GTA 6?

Yes. Boxed copies contain a download code instead of a disc, and Rockstar says they will be available from 12 November 2026 so physical buyers can pre-load. Redeem the code on your console's store and the download starts.

How big is the GTA 6 download?

Rockstar has not published the install size. The real figure will show on the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store when pre-loading opens. Clearing space on your console before 12 November is a safe bet.

Can I play GTA 6 as soon as the pre-load finishes?

No. Pre-loading only downloads the game. It stays locked until launch on 19 November 2026.

Do I have to pre-order to pre-load?

Yes. Pre-loading is for digital pre-orders and for boxed copies redeemed with their code. If you buy on launch day, the download starts then.

Sources

Prices are Rockstar's US prices. Anything marked “Not announced by Rockstar” is unconfirmed, and we update this page as soon as there is an official answer. GTA Mapped is not affiliated with Rockstar Games.