Beginner guide
Your first hours, in order.
Before your first hour
Six checks before you press start on GTA 6: unlock time, space, pre-load, updates, display settings and what to do if it won't start.
Last checked: Sun 15 Nov 2026, 6pm AEST
UnverifiedNot checked on our PS5 yet.
GTA 6 is out on 19 Nov 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Rockstar’s own page. These are the checks to do before your first session, whether you play at 11pm or later. After we’ve played the opening hours on our own PS5 this page is rewritten from what we did, and anything we haven’t seen won’t be on it.
Related: the storage checker, unlock times, PS5 settings and controls and won’t launch or stuck loading.
- 1Know your unlock time. In Queensland it unlocks at 11pm Wed 18 Nov, and at midnight in Sydney and Melbourne. These times come from PlayStation Store listings, not from Rockstar. Find your own zone on the unlock times page.
- 2Make room. Our PS5 shows 212 GB for GTA 6. Rockstar's own page doesn't give a size, so check the number on your console and use the storage checker.
- 3Finish the pre-load. Rockstar posted that pre-load began on 10 Nov. Pre-load is the download only. Press reports say it doesn't let you play early.
- 4Update the console and charge the controller. Check the PS5 has the latest system software (Settings, System, System Software, System Software Update and Settings). Charge the controller too.
- 5Check your display settings once. HDR is in Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output. Our settings page has the paths for HDR, VRR and Game Presets.
- 6Know what to do if it won't start. Restart the console first, then check the status pages. The launch problems page lists Sony's fix order.
Sources
- Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto VI (release date and pre-load news)
- Sony, Game won't start on your PS5 console?
- Our own PS5, install size read 15 Nov 2026
- Unlock times from PlayStation Store listings, as reported by press (not by Rockstar)
Updated