GTA 6 install size & storage: get your PS5 / Xbox ready

Last checked: 24 October 2026 · Facts marked Confirmed come from the sources listed at the bottom.

Short answer: nobody knows the exact size yet. As of 24 October 2026, Rockstar, the PlayStation Store and the Xbox Store haven't published a GTA 6 download or install size for any console. Not confirmed ^{[25] [10] [24]} The real figure should appear on the stores around the time pre-load opens on 12 November. Until then, here's how to get your console ready.

Official install size per console

Beware of fake numbers. A screenshot claiming GTA 6 is 676.7GB on Xbox has been shown to be doctored: it even lists Xbox One, which GTA 6 isn't coming to. Report / rumour ^[27] A tiny figure of a few hundred megabytes in Microsoft's store data is a placeholder, not the game. ^[27]

Why we say clear about 250GB

• Reported estimates: news and fan sites mostly guess 150–200GB for the base game on PS5 and Series X, with a day-one patch on top. These are estimates, not official. Report / rumour ^[27] GameSpot expects at least 100GB. ^[26]
• Rockstar's last big game: in 2018 Rockstar said Red Dead Redemption 2 needed 99GB on PS4 and 107GB on Xbox One, and PS4 digital buyers needed 150GB free while it unpacked. ^[28] GTA 6 is a newer, bigger game.
• No disc to fall back on: even the boxed version is only a download code, so every player downloads the full game. Confirmed ^[23]

Clearing about 250GB covers the top of the reported range plus room for a patch. If the real size turns out smaller, you've lost nothing. We'll replace this with the official figure as soon as the stores show it.

How much space your console really has

The number on the box isn't what you can use: some is kept back for the system software.

Check your free space and make room

PS5 and PS5 Pro

1. Go to Settings > Storage to see how much is free on console storage (and on an M.2 SSD or USB drive if you have one). ^{[34] [35]}
2. To delete: in Settings > Storage, open the drive, choose Games and Apps, select the games you've finished and choose Delete. ^[35]
3. To move instead: go to Game Library, highlight a game, press the Options button and choose Move Games and Apps. ^[35]

Xbox Series X and Series S

1. Press the Xbox button and go to My games & apps > See all: the meter in the bottom-left shows your storage. For each drive, go to Profile & system > Settings > System > Storage devices. ^{[39] [38]}
2. To delete: in My games & apps > See all, go to Manage > Free up space, or highlight a game, press the Menu button and choose Uninstall. You keep the game licence, and saves synced to the cloud come back if you reinstall. ^[38]
3. To move: highlight a game, press Menu, choose Manage game and add-ons, select the game box, then Move or copy. ^[38]

Tip: delete or move your biggest games first. Before deleting anything you care about on PS5, check your saves are backed up.

Adding more storage

PS5: an M.2 NVMe SSD inside the console

PS5 consoles, including PS5 Pro and Digital Edition, have an expansion slot for an M.2 SSD. Sony's requirements: Confirmed ^[34]

• A PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD, 250GB to 8TB. M.2 SATA drives don't work.
• Sequential read speed of 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended.
• A heatsink or heat-transfer sheet is required. Many drives sold "for PS5" have one built in; don't add a second one. Total size up to 110mm long, 25mm wide and 11.25mm thick.
• Update the system software first. You'll need a small Phillips (cross-head) screwdriver. Sony says your warranty generally isn't affected if the drive meets the specs and you follow its instructions.
• Games run from the M.2 SSD, and you can make it the place new games download to in Settings > Storage > Installation Location.

Xbox: a Storage Expansion Card

Xbox Series X|S has a slot on the back for a Storage Expansion Card (512GB, 1TB or 2TB; Xbox Support points to Seagate and WD). It performs the same as the console's internal SSD, and you just plug it in. Confirmed ^[39]

USB drives: for storing games, not playing them

• PS5: a USB drive (USB 5Gbps or faster, 250GB–8TB) can store PS5 games, but PS5 games can't be played from it. Copy them back to console storage or an M.2 SSD to play. Confirmed ^[35]
• Xbox: a USB 3 drive of 128GB or more can store games, but games optimised for Xbox Series X|S must be on the internal SSD or an expansion card to play. Confirmed ^{[38] [40]}
• So GTA 6 will need to run from internal storage, a PS5 M.2 SSD or an Xbox expansion card. A USB drive is still a cheap place to park other games so you don't have to download them again.

What it costs in the UK (checked 24 October 2026)

Storage prices have risen recently and change often. Examples from one UK shop, Argos, on 24 October 2026:

These aren't recommendations or affiliate links, and we earn nothing if you buy. Other shops may be cheaper or dearer, so compare first and check any drive meets the specs above.

Pre-load: download it before launch

• When: pre-loading starts at local midnight on 12 November 2026 for digital pre-orders. Confirmed ^{[23] [1]} The UK PlayStation Store lists a "7-Day Pre-load". ^[10]
• Boxed copies: on sale from 12 November. The box holds a download code, not a disc; codes redeemed before launch start pre-loading on 12 November. Confirmed ^[23]
• Playing: pre-load puts the files on your console early; the game unlocks on launch day, 19 November. Confirmed ^[1] The size of any day-one patch hasn't been announced. Not confirmed

Let your PS5 download it in rest mode

1. Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode: turn on Stay Connected to the Internet. ^[36]
2. Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates: turn on Auto-Download (and Auto-Install in Rest Mode). ^[36]
3. In Game Library, select GTA VI, select the countdown timer and make sure the content is ticked. It then downloads as soon as it's available. ^[37]
4. Put the PS5 into rest mode rather than switching it off.

Let your Xbox download it automatically

1. Press the Xbox button, go to Profile & system > Settings > General > Power options and choose Sleep. ^[41]
2. Store games install automatically if the console is your home Xbox, is on or in Sleep mode, is online and has enough free space. ^[40]
3. Check where it will install: Settings > System > Storage devices > Change install locations. ^[38]

Checklist before 12 November

• Free up about 250GB (our suggestion) on internal storage, a PS5 M.2 SSD or an Xbox expansion card.
• Turn on rest-mode or Sleep downloads and automatic updates.
• Update your console's system software.
• Bought a boxed copy? Redeem the code as soon as you get it so the pre-load can start.
• Check back here: we'll add the official size as soon as it's listed.

FAQ

Next: Release date and countdown · UK price and editions · FAQ

Sources

1. Take-Two Interactive (press release, 24 Jun 2026): Rockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VI
10. PlayStation Store UK: Grand Theft Auto VI (PS5) – store page
23. Rockstar Games Support (updated 18 Aug 2026): Grand Theft Auto VI Platforms, Editions, and Versions
24. Xbox Store UK: Grand Theft Auto VI – store page (no download size listed, checked 24 Oct 2026)
25. GamingBible (13 Oct 2026): GTA 6 release time, preload date, download size and editions
26. GameSpot: GTA 6 preloading: start date and what to know about digital and physical copies
27. 6 Insider (19 Oct 2026): How big is GTA 6? Nobody has the real number yet, and the one going round is fake
28. Game Informer (18 Oct 2018): Rockstar confirms Red Dead Redemption II install sizes, PS4 digital will require 150GB free space to unpack
29. Ars Technica (Jul 2021): PS5 gets high-speed M.2 SSD storage support (667GB usable internal storage)
30. Digital Trends (9 Nov 2023): The new 1TB PS5 has more usable storage space than the Xbox Series X
31. Push Square (6 Nov 2024): PS5 Pro actually gives you almost all its 2TB of storage to use
32. TechRadar (May 2023): Xbox Series X storage: everything you need to know
33. TechRadar (8 Nov 2024): Xbox Series S 1TB review
34. PlayStation UK Support: How to add an M.2 SSD to a PS5 console
35. PlayStation UK Support: USB extended storage on PS5 consoles
36. PlayStation UK Support: How to set up auto-downloads and updates on PlayStation consoles
37. PlayStation UK Support: How to pre-order and auto-download games from PlayStation Store
38. Xbox Support (UK): Manage storage on your Xbox console
39. Xbox Support (UK): Use the Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
40. Xbox Support (UK): How to install games and apps on an Xbox console
41. Xbox Support (UK): About power options on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
42. Argos (price checked 24 Oct 2026): Seagate Storage Expansion Card 1TB for Xbox Series X|S – £239.99
43. Argos (price checked 24 Oct 2026): WD_BLACK C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S – £153.99
44. Argos (price checked 24 Oct 2026): WD_BLACK SN850X Heatsink 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 & PC – £193.99
45. Argos (price checked 24 Oct 2026): Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 2TB SSD for PC & PS5 – £429.99 (was £529.99)
46. Argos (price checked 24 Oct 2026): Toshiba Canvio Ready 2TB portable hard drive – £99.99

More GTA 6 guides