Rockstar Makes GTA V Next-Gen Upgrades Free on PS5 and Xbox

With Grand Theft Auto VI still on the horizon, Rockstar has chosen to refocus attention on what’s already in players’ libraries—by making the jump from last-gen to current-gen versions of Grand Theft Auto V entirely free. The move arrives as GTA Online prepares to launch a major July mission update, giving returning and new players a fresh reason to revisit Los Santos.

Free PS5 and Xbox Series upgrades for GTA V owners

Rockstar Games announced that players who own Grand Theft Auto V on last-generation hardware can upgrade to the current-gen versions at no cost. Starting June 18, owners of any PlayStation 4 version of GTA V and owners of the digital Xbox One version will be able to move to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S editions for free. Rockstar delivered the news through a Rockstar Newswire blog post.

The announcement also lines up with an upcoming GTA Online update called The Kortz Center Heist, scheduled to launch in July. Rockstar’s timing suggests it wants the broader player base—especially those who haven’t switched platforms yet—to be on current hardware ahead of the next big online mission wave.

What the current-gen editions include

Rockstar’s current-gen GTA V versions originally launched on March 15, 2022, and at the time did not offer a free upgrade path. Those editions were priced at $39.99 and included GTA Online.

The upgraded experience includes a range of technical enhancements, including improved resolution (up to 4K), HDR, ray tracing, improved textures, and longer draw distances. Performance is also boosted, with support for up to 60 frames per second.

On top of that, the PS5 version adds 3D audio and DualSense haptic feedback. Story progress from the PS4/Xbox One versions can also be transferred to the current-gen editions, making the upgrade less of a restart and more of a continuation.

Additional upgrade options for PC and GTA+ members

While the headline focuses on console upgrades, Rockstar also points PC players to a free path for the same improvements. PC players can upgrade from the Legacy edition to the Enhanced edition for free.

For GTA+ subscribers, Rockstar notes that GTA V’s story mode is available through the GTA+ Games Library, providing another way to access the narrative content without purchasing the standalone story separately.

Why this matters while GTA VI approaches

As Rockstar marches toward Grand Theft Auto VI’s November 19 release, the studio appears to be encouraging players to either return to GTA V or experience it for the first time—this time on the best available hardware. Even though this isn’t a GTA VI update, the timing and the free upgrade offer function as a platform-wide “catch up” moment.

Rockstar also highlights its broader roadmap by pointing players toward the latest GTA VI trailer from May 2025, reinforcing that the next era is coming while GTA V remains a key entry point for the franchise.

Key points

• Starting June 18, PS4 and digital Xbox One GTA V owners can upgrade to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for free
• The current-gen versions include upgrades such as up to 4K resolution, HDR, ray tracing, improved textures, and draw distance
• Rockstar highlights up to 60fps gameplay, plus PS5 features like 3D audio and DualSense haptics
• Story progress can be transferred from PS4/Xbox One, and parallel free upgrades exist for PC (Legacy to Enhanced)

Confirmed platform upgrade details

Expert View

Free current-gen upgrades like this signal that Rockstar wants to reduce friction during a franchise transition period. For the broader community, it likely lowers the barrier to re-entering GTA Online—especially with a July mission update on the way—while also keeping engagement steady ahead of GTA VI. In a competitive market where platform lock-in can slow player migration, this approach helps maintain a larger, more active player base across PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.