Rockstar Makes GTA V Next-Gen Upgrade Free for PS4 and Xbox One Owners

Rockstar Games has announced that all owners of Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will now be able to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions for free, starting June 18, 2026. This move reverses the publisher's previous policy, which had charged players between $10 and $40 for the upgrade when the enhanced editions launched in March 2022.

The next-gen versions of GTA V offer significant technical improvements, including support for up to 4K resolution, ray tracing, enhanced textures and draw distances, and up to 60 frames per second gameplay. The PS5 version also features 3D audio and DualSense haptic feedback. Players can transfer their story mode and online progress from previous-generation consoles to the upgraded editions.

The free upgrade applies to any PS4 version of the game and the digital Xbox One version, meaning Xbox owners with a physical disc may not be eligible. PC users had already received these enhancements for free last year, with the game split into Legacy and Enhanced editions.

Rockstar's announcement coincides with the upcoming release of a major GTA Online update called The Kortz Center Heist, scheduled for July 2026. The multi-stage heist is expected to include new missions and content for the online mode, with further details to be revealed in the coming weeks.

GTA V, originally released in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, has sold over 230 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. The move comes as anticipation builds for the next entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto VI, which is set for release on November 19, 2026. Rockstar explains it wants players to experience GTA V in the best way possible before the launch of the new game.