Grand Theft Auto Online PS5/Xbox Series X|S Character Transfer Causes Major Issues (UPDATED)

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Updated at 1958hrs:

Following contact with Rockstar Games, they have confirmed via email and also Rockstar Support Twitter that the matter is down to a technical issue and is not a part of the character migration. In an official statement from Rockstar Support Twitter:

“We’re currently working to resolve the issue with GTA Online profile migration for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S where those migrating from PS4 or Xbox One are currently blocked due to previously migrating those accounts to PC, and will update everyone once this is working as intended.”

~ Rockstar Support, via Twitter.

We’re currently working to resolve the issue with GTA Online profile migration for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S where those migrating from PS4 or Xbox One are currently blocked due to previously migrating those accounts to PC, and will update everyone once this is working as intended.

— Rockstar Support (@RockstarSupport) March 14, 2022

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Original Story:

The time has come for Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online to receive their 4th release (3rd console release) since the game debuted nearly 9 years ago back in 2013. For those in New Zealand who have hit the midnight mark to play the new versions, or those who have altered their time-zones to obtain early access, it appears there have been some frustrating findings in relation to the character transfer for GTAOnline.

Previously with character transfers, players have been able to do this via a straightforward process. If you played on PS3 or Xbox 360, any progress you had made could be transferred to either console family for the new-generation at the time, which was Xbox One and PS4. Then, following the 2015 PC release, the option was made available to transfer any progress made, whether that be PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 or Xbox One… it wouldn’t even matter if you had transferred from PS3 > Xbox One, you would still be able to transfer from any of the platforms to PC. 

However… there appears to have been some unexplained information which plays a major part in the new versions. We hope you’re ready to be disappointed. 

It appears that any player on Xbox One or PlayStation 4 who transferred their character progression to PC previously, is unable to transfer their character from consoles to the New-Generation version. You may ask why this is… the answer currently is unknown.

This has probably got a little confusing, so let’s break it down with the way the transfer has worked since launch.

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GTAOnline launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013. It then launched on PS4 and Xbox One in 2014, allowing for the following character transfers to take place:

• PS3 > PS4
• PS3 > Xbox One
• Xbox 360 – PS4
• Xbox 360 > Xbox One

GTAOnline then launched for PC in 2015, allowing for a further character transfer to be made, which meant the options were:

• PS3 > PC
• PS4 > PC
• Xbox 360 > PC
• Xbox One > PC

GTAOnline has now launched on New-Generation platforms, however this is where it gets technical, as you can’t transfer if you have previously transferred to PC, but not only that, if you DO transfer, you also lose the character progression for the previous console. The below options are currently available, however keep in mind that if you transfer to a different console family, you will only transfer over the earned GTA$, not bought shark cards. 

• PS4 > PS5 (You will keep any bought GTA$ such as via shark cards. You will also transfer over any earned GTA$ via missions/heists etc)
• PS4 > Xbox Series X|S (You will NOT keep any bought GTA$ such as via shark cards. You will however transfer over any earned GTA$ via missions/heists etc)
• Xbox One > PS5 (You will NOT keep any bought GTA$ such as via shark cards. You will however transfer over any earned GTA$ via missions/heists etc)
• Xbox One > Xbox Series X|S (You will keep any bought GTA$ such as via shark cards. You will also transfer over any earned GTA$ via missions/heists etc)

However, if you have done the following for example: PS3 > PS4 > PC > N/A, you are unable to transfer to the new consoles. If you haven’t transferred to PC, you will be able to transfer your character but will lose the progress from the console you’ve transferred from. For example: PS3 > PS4 > PS5. You will move your progress from PS4 to PS5, but your PS4 character will in essence seize to exist.

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At the moment it’s unclear on whether the PC aspect is down to a early launch bug or is actually the unfortunate way of GTAOnline transfer which was missed out by Rockstar Games in their marketing strategy. Rockstar Support have stated that this is the case, however we have reached out to Rockstar Games directly in hope they can comment on the issue.