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GTA 5 Game Online Play: How to Get Into a Session

1 min read

GTA 5 cover image

Getting from the story into GTA Online takes about four clicks — plus one account requirement that trips up new players on every platform.

GTA 5 game online play means GTA Online — the persistent multiplayer half of the game, and the half that still gets updates.

What you need

  • The game itself on PC, PlayStation or Xbox.
  • A Rockstar Games Social Club account, linked to your platform account. This is mandatory everywhere and is where your character actually lives.
  • A console subscription on PlayStation and Xbox: PS Plus or Game Pass Core. PC needs neither.

Getting in

From the pause menu, open the Online tab and pick Play GTA Online, then a session type. From the main menu you can go straight into Online without loading a story save.

First time in, the game runs you through character creation and a short introduction race before dropping you into Los Santos.

Getting a quieter lobby

Public sessions put you in with everyone, griefers included. The alternatives are all in the Online menu:

  • Invite Only — just the people you invite.
  • Crew and Friends sessions — limited to those groups.
  • Solo public session — technically public, effectively empty.

Most businesses and heist prep work fine in Invite Only, which is how experienced players avoid losing a full cargo run to a flying bike.