GTA Online guide with everything you need for your criminal empire

GTA Online guide
(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

This GTA Online guide covers everything you need to know about the multiplayer side of Rockstar's crime epic, taking in a decade's worth of information since it first launched way back in 2013. Whether you've recently flown in to Los Santos thanks to the standalone online version, you're a career criminal looking to expand your shady enterprises further, or you just want to tick off certain sets of collectibles by finding the hidden locations you've missed, there will be something here for you. We've got plenty of expert advice to lead you in the right direction for a wide range of multiplayer activities, so take a look through our GTA Online guide and you're bound to find something of interest.

Regular updates, modes, and challenges continue to arrive in Los Santos and Blaine Country, with the GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries being the most recent addition at the time of writing – adding a set of GTA Online Project Overthrow missions along with a GTA Online Career Progress tracker with rewards to unlock. Prior to that there was the Los Santos Drug Wars, the enhanced version for PS5 and Xbox Series X, The Contract, LS Car Meet, Cayo Perico island, the Galaxy Superyacht, and years of previous expansions. You can choose whether to build your criminal schemes on running nightclubs, dealing arms, printing counterfeit currency, or any other illicit enterprise. With so much still going on, GTA Online guides are essential to help you keep up to speed. 

No matter whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned veteran, we've got plenty of tips and guides to help you choose the fastest car, equip the best weapons, and earn a boatload of cash. So log on, tool up, and we'll begin...

GTA Online guides

How to play

GTA Online guide

The world of GTA Online is huge, and if you're not familiar with it then the prospect of heading in unprepared can be pretty daunting. Fear not though, as we have a complete set of GTA Online tips for all players to help you on your way.

Beginners Guide - how to get started

GTA Online guide

(Image credit: Rockstar)

If you've never set foot in multiplayer Los Santos before, then you might be wondering how to get started and what is important in the early days of your criminal empire. Follow our GTA Online beginners guide and we'll show you how to get started, and don't miss these 10 things to do in GTA Online as well.

How to make money fast

GTA Online guide

Money quite literally makes the world go around in GTA Online, and if you want to do most of the cool stuff then you're going to need to invest some serious virtual dollars to access it. If you don't want to spend real money, then follow our guide on how to make money fast in GTA Online.

How to earn reputation and level up fast

GTA Online guide

As you work your way up to Rank 100 and beyond, various weapons, customisation items and more will unlock. This can be a long process, so check out how to level up fast in GTA Online so you can speed things up.

What are the best paying missions?

GTA Online guide

There are plenty of different missions you can undertake in San Andreas, with varying degrees of reward for your troubles. If you're after a fast buck then get stuck into the GTA Online best paying missions.

What are the new cars?

GTA Online guide

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

There are lots of GTA Online new cars being added as part of major in-game events, which means there are a lot of new vehicles to keep track of. We've got all the details of the new purchases available, via Legendary Motorsports, Southern San Andreas Super Autos, Benny's Original Motor Works, and Warstock Cache and Carry. There have also been a significant number of cars removed from GTA Online recently, so we've got the lowdown on them too.

What are the fastest cars?

GTA Online guide

If you want to take the chequered flag in some high stakes GTA Online races, then you need to be driving the fastest car you can get your hands on. But what are the GTA Online fastest cars, you ask? We've tested every supercar to give you an exact answer, using science.

What are the fastest bikes?

GTA Online guide

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you prefer two wheels to four, then you'll want to make sure you're riding one of the GTA Online fastest bikes. There are plenty of different options out there, and it may surprise you to know that one of the best all-round motorcycles is also one of the cheapest! Check out our guide with expert testing for all the details to make an informed decision.

What are the best races?

GTA Online guide

Thanks to the Rockstar Creator, there are a huge number of user created races available to take on. We've sorted the wheat from the chaff to recommend the GTA Online best races.

What are the best weapons?

GTA Online guide

Visit any Ammu-Nation store in-game and you'll find a massive selection of guns, explosives, and melee weapons to choose from. We've selected loadouts of the GTA Online best weapons for different situations, so you always have the right tools for the job, and you can also keep an eye on any GTA Online new weapons added to Ammu-Nation or the GTA Online Gun Van.

How to buy a house

How to buy a house in GTA Online

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you want somewhere to stay in comfort and rest your weary head, you'll need to know how to buy a house in GTA Online. Whether you're looking for an out of town shack, a hilly stilt house, or a fancy tower apartment, we'll show you how to build your property empire.

How to buy cars

How to buy cars in GTA Online

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Having access to decent vehicles is essential to getting around the expansive world of San Andreas, so we'll show you how to buy cars in GTA Online and let you build up an impressive collection of rides in your garage. You may also like to know about the biggest garage in GTA Online, if you're planning to invest in a fleet of vehicles.

What are the best Shark Card deals?

GTA Online Shark Cards

If you want to shortcut to those virtual dollars then you can buy a GTA Online Shark Card to top up your bank account - we've investigated which one gives you the best value, and what you can buy with it.

Do you need PlayStation Plus?

GTA Online The Criminal Enterprises

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you're wondering do you need PS Plus to play GTA Online then helpfully the answer is no, so you can access it on PS5 and PS4 without having to sign up for Sony's subscription service.

Are there problems with the servers?

GTA Online guide

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you're unable to get into a game, then you may be asking are the GTA Online servers down – though outages of this nature are quite rate. If you've specifically received the Your profile does not have permission to access GTA Online error message then there are a number of reasons why you may see this, and we've got information on the most common ways to fix it and start playing again. 

When are the seasonal events?

GTA Online Independence Day

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Around the 4th of July every year, Rockstar runs a GTA Online Independence Day event to celebrate this great American holiday. There's also a GTA Online Halloween in late October full of spooky goings on, and the Festive Surprise brings a flurry of GTA Online snow every Christmas.

What is the Lucky Wheel glitch?

GTA Online guide

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Every day you get one free spin of the Lucky Wheel in the casino, for a chance to win from a selection of prizes. By using the GTA Online Lucky Wheel glitch, you can get unlimited respins until you receive the reward you want, and we'll show you how to do it.

GTA Online collectibles

Where are the peyote plants?

GTA Online Peyote Plants

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you want to turn yourself into an animal and go for an online rampage, then you'll need to consume one of the GTA Online peyote plants. There are over 70 different locations where you can find these hallucinatory cacti, and we've got all of them in our guide.

Where are the playing cards?

GTA Online guide

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

As part of the casino update, there were 54 GTA Online playing cards hidden around the entire game map. Finding them all unlocks a stack of chips and several rewards in GTA Online, plus the Collector's Bag reward in Red Dead Online, and we've got all of their locations.

Where are the action figures?

GTA Online Action Figures

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you thought there were a lot of playing cards to find, wait until you start searching for the 100 GTA Online action figures scattered across San Andreas! If you find them all you'll earn a stack of cash plus some money can't buy rewards, and we've got the locations for every one.

Where are the signal jammers?

GTA Online Signal Jammers

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

With the launch of the Diamond Casino Heist, another set of 'collectibles' has been added in the form of 50 GTA Online signal jammers which you need to shoot, blow up, or otherwise destroy to tick off your list. Take out all of them for the usual cash bonuses plus the opportunity to add the hacker Avi Schwartzman for your Diamond Casino Heist support crew.

Where are the Solomon movie props?

GTA Online Solomon movie props

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Following a big break in and theft from the Richards Majestic Movie Studio, Mr Richards himself wants you to go out and retrieve his GTA Online Solomon movie props that have been lost around San Andreas. Bring them all back to the lot, and you'll unlock the Space Interloper costume to add to your wardrobe.

Where are the media sticks?

GTA Online media sticks locations

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Arriving with the Los Santos Tuners update, there are several GTA Online media sticks hidden in key locations for the various criminal enterprises available. Each one you track down adds a CircoLoco Records EP to your media player, and once you complete the set you'll also unlock an exclusive Seth Troxler mix of the whole playlist.

Where is the LD Organics product?

GTA Online LD Organics Product

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

The GTA Online LD Organics Product is the latest brainchild of Lamar Davis, though his business distribution has taken a hit and there are now baggies strewn all over Los Santos and beyond. This is another big one, but if you find all 100 then there's an exclusive LD Organics tee and hat to be earned.

How to catch the serial killer and unlock the Navy Revolver

GTA Online Serial Killer

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

You'd better stay on your toes, as there's a GTA Online serial killer on the loose – he's left a number of clues around the island, and doesn't take too kindly to you tracking them down. Find and defeat the Los Santos Slasher to unlock the Navy Revolver and add it to your arsenal.

How to get the Double-Action Revolver

GTA Online guide

To track down the Double-Action Revolver in GTA Online, as well as unlocking it for Red Dead Redemption 2, you'll need to receive an in-game email that kicks off a treasure hunt across San Andreas. If you're having trouble with any of the stages, then here's how to get the Double-Action Revolver in GTA Online.

How to get the Stone Hatchet

GTA Online guide

The Stone Hatchet is another weapon you can unlock in GTA Online, and also have available in Red Dead Redemption 2. To get started, you'll need to receive texts from Maude sending you off on a series of bounty hunters before the location is revealed, to help out we have a complete guide for how to get the Stone Hatchet in GTA Online.

Where are the Shipwrecks?

GTA Online Shipwrecks locations

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

GTA Online Shipwrecks wash ashore at a new location every day, and if you find them you'll recover cash plus scraps that can eventually be assembled into the Frontier outfit.

Where are the Treasure Chests on Cayo Perico?

GTA Online Treasure Chests

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you've taken on the GTA Online Cayo Perico Heist and spent time exploring the remote island location, you may have heard there are some GTA Online Treasure Chests to collect while you're there. These change position every day, but we've got all of their locations and details on how to track them down.

GTA Online The Contract guides

Where is Record A Studios?

GTA Online The Contract

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you're working through the GTA Online The Contract update, then you may be looking for GTA Online Record A Studios after hearing it referenced by Dr Dre. We've got the location for it, along with details of how to unlock access to the building.

Short Trips

GTA Online Short Trips

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

The GTA Online Short Trips let you play out co-operative missions with Franklin and Lamar instead of your regular online character, and we explain how to reach them.

Payphone Hits

GTA Online Payphone Hits

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

GTA Online Payphone Hits can provide a decent stream of income from eliminating targets, but first you need to know how to unlock them from Franklin.

GTA Online Enhanced guides

How to transfer characters

Grand Theft Auto Online profile migration to PS5 Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you're moving over to the PS5 or Xbox Series X version of the game, you'll need to know how to transfer GTA Online – and we've got all of the details. However, you may want to find out can you play GTA Online on PS5 with PS4 players and check the crossplay situation before you commit.

Career Builder

GTA Online Career Builder

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you're a new player, or just fancy a fresh start, then the GTA Online Career Builder will let you pick a business then provide a cash injection to get you up and running.

Hao's Special Works

GTA Online Hao's Special Works

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If you're looking for special vehicle upgrades on PS5 or Xbox Series X, then GTA Online Hao's Special Works is the place to go for some unprecedented customization options on your fanciest rides.

Perhaps after all that you're looking for a different challenge? If so, then there are plenty of other games like GTA you can check out.

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Iain Wilson
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 500 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.