Original illustration: a ticked checklist

GTA 6 launch-day checklist

13 things to sort out before 19 November 2026, so launch night is about playing, not troubleshooting. Tick them off as you go; your progress is saved in this browser.

0 of 13 done

🏅 Launch badges 8 badges to unlock before launch: see how

0 / 13 steps ready

Storage0 / 2
Pre-load0 / 3
Account0 / 3
Subscriptions0 / 2
Launch night0 / 3

Tick a step below and its group fills up here. One or two a day and you are ready well before 19 November.

Storage

Free up space for the downloadRockstar has not published a download or install size yet. Leave as much room as you can on your console's internal SSD (or a supported expansion) before pre-load opens on 12 November, and check the store listing, which shows the size once it is set. Common fixesCheck where the game will installCurrent-generation games must run from the internal SSD or a supported expansion (Xbox Storage Expansion Card, M.2 SSD on PS5). A USB hard drive can store the game but not run it. PS5 guide

Pre-load

Pre-order the digital version (if you want to pre-load)Only digital pre-orders pre-load. Pre-load opens on 12 November 2026, a week before launch. Launch-day guideTurn on automatic downloads and rest mode (PS5) or energy-saving sleep (Xbox)So the pre-load and the day-one patch download while you are away. Launch-day guidePhysical copy? Plan for a downloadThe box holds a download code, not a disc. It goes on sale on 12 November: redeem the code early so the game pre-loads. Pre-load guide

Account

Check your password and two-step sign-in workSign-in services are busy on launch night. Fix login problems before the rush. Common fixesInstall the latest system updateA pending console update can block a game from starting. Update the day before. Common fixes

Subscriptions

Know whether you need PS Plus or Game PassRockstar describes GTA 6 as a single-player experience and has not announced an online mode, so no subscription is expected to be needed to play. Check again closer to launch. Launch FAQAdd launch day to your calendarDownload the calendar file on the countdown page: it has pre-load day and launch day, with a reminder the day before. Countdown and calendar

Launch night

Bookmark the live status pageIf the game will not start, check here first: we watch Rockstar, PlayStation Network and Xbox network every 5 minutes. Live statusKnow the common error codesOur error-code guide explains the PS5 and Xbox codes you are most likely to see at launch. Error codesRestart your router the evening beforeA fresh connection helps with the day-one download. Common fixes

This week

Your checklist week: 0 steps ticked

Each day you tick a step lights up here, with how many you ticked. One or two a day and all 13 are done well before 19 November.

Checklist tip of the day · Launch night

Know the common error codes

Our error-code guide explains the PS5 and Xbox codes you are most likely to see at launch.

Read it on this page

One of the 13 steps above each day, with why it matters: press "Got it" to light up today. Ticking the step itself still counts in your checklist week.

Your prep week

Each day you tick a checklist step lights up here. Seven in a row and you are launch-week ready.

Tick a step today to start a prep streak. One or two steps a day and you are ready by launch night.

Add launch to calendar

Get one email when GTA 6 unlocks

We send a single message on launch day once the game is live and the servers look healthy.

One email when GTA 6 unlocks, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time. See the privacy notice.

Why each step matters

The first hours after a big launch put pressure on store servers, download networks and sign-in services at the same time. Everything you do in advance, like pre-loading, updating and checking your account, is one less thing that can fail when millions of people try at once.

Nothing here needs a subscription: Rockstar describes GTA 6 as a single-player experience and has not announced an online mode. If that changes, we will update this checklist. For platform-specific steps, see the PS5 guide and the Xbox guide; for everything about launch week, the launch-day guide.