GTA 6 Available Preload: 212GB Download Opens Before Nov. 19
Grand Theft Auto VI preloading is live on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 ahead of the November 19 launch. The game needs up to 212GB of storage, so players with smaller drives may need to clear space before they can install it.
Grand Theft Auto VI is now available to preload on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 in most regions, nine days before its November 19 release. Anyone who has pre-ordered the game can install it in full ahead of launch.
The catch is size. Rockstar Games has confirmed the game takes up to 212GB of storage, depending on the device.
How the preload rollout worked
Rockstar staggered the schedule. Preloading began at 7 PM EST on November 9 for Xbox Series X and S owners. On PS5 and PS5 Pro, it opened at midnight local time on November 10 across all regions.
Physical copies start shipping and arrive in retail stores on November 12. A code printed in the box lets owners preload as soon as the disc arrives.
Pre-release sales are reportedly already around 8 million copies.
Storage problem for smaller consoles
On a standard 512GB Xbox Series S, the game would take more than half of the roughly 362GB of usable space. Even a 2TB PS5 Pro would lose a large share of its drive.
Preloading lets players sort out storage in advance. That matters more if a day-one patch adds to the download.
How to start the download
On Xbox, open the Microsoft Store, search for Grand Theft Auto VI and select install. You can also turn on "Keep My Games & Apps Up to Date" under Settings > System > Updates.
On PS5, find the preload option on the game's PlayStation Store page. To download automatically, open your Game Library, select the GTA 6 pre-order and switch on Auto-Download.
A 212GB file can take hours, depending on your connection speed.
Freeing up space
On PS5, go to Settings, then Storage, to see what is using space. Deleting a game does not remove its save data, which is stored separately. Saved clips and screenshots can also take up more room than expected.
On Xbox, the Free Up Space menu lists leftover add-ons and shrinkable games. Game progress is backed up to the Xbox cloud, so removing a game should not cost you your saves.
External drives can hold games, but you cannot play them from there. Format the drive for your console first, because formatting erases anything already on it.
Grand Theft Auto VI costs $80 for the Standard Edition and $100 for the Ultimate Edition. Both are sold on the Xbox and PlayStation stores and through retailers including Amazon and Walmart.
Xfinity is offering gamers a free 15-day WiFi speed boost for the launch, according to Comcast Corporation. Charter Communications is promoting its Spectrum Internet Gig service for faster downloads.
