Rockstar Games has published its official FAQ detailing how players can claim the free Grand Theft Auto V upgrade on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, confirming a notable difference between the two platforms.
According to Rockstar Support, owners of both the physical and digital versions of Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 4 can upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version at no additional cost. Players using a physical copy will need to keep the PS4 disc inserted in the console to verify ownership.
On Xbox, however, only owners of the digital version of Grand Theft Auto V on Xbox One are eligible for the free upgrade to Xbox Series X|S.
Rockstar specifically states, “Physical disc owners cannot upgrade to a digital version due to limitations of the platform.”
The restriction means Xbox One players who own GTA 5 on disc will not be able to access the upgraded Xbox Series X|S version through Rockstar’s free upgrade program. Digital owners can download the newer version directly from the Xbox Store and install it through their library.
The policy differs from PlayStation, where both physical and digital owners can claim the upgraded release, provided disc owners use their original copy for verification.
Rockstar’s FAQ was updated on June 18, 2026, and outlines the full upgrade process for eligible players across both console ecosystems. While the company did not elaborate on the platform limitations affecting Xbox disc owners, the FAQ makes clear that only digital Xbox One purchases qualify for the free upgrade path.
