Grand Theft Auto 5 & GTA Online: A Comprehensive Guide to Saving Your Progress

Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5) and GTA Online utilize autosave features to periodically record your progress. However, manual saves and forced autosaves offer additional security against data loss. This guide details how to save in both GTA 5 Story Mode and GTA Online. A rotating orange circle in the bottom-right corner confirms a successful autosave.

GTA 5 Story Mode: Saving Your Game

Method 1: Utilizing Safehouses

Manual saves are easily achieved by sleeping in a bed at one of your Safehouses (marked with a white house icon on the map). Simply approach the bed and press:

• Keyboard: E
• Controller: Right on the D-pad

This action triggers the Save Game menu.

Method 2: Employing the Cell Phone

For a quicker save, use your in-game cell phone:

1. Access your cell phone (Keyboard: Up arrow; Controller: Up on the D-pad).
2. Select the cloud icon to open the Save Game menu.
3. Confirm the save.

GTA Online: Forcing Autosaves

Unlike GTA 5's Story Mode, GTA Online lacks a dedicated manual save menu. However, these methods force autosaves:

Method 1: Outfit/Accessory Changes

Altering your outfit or even a single accessory triggers an autosave. Look for the spinning orange circle confirmation. Repeat if necessary.

1. Open the Interaction Menu (Keyboard: M; Controller: Touchpad).
2. Select Appearance, then Accessories. Swap an accessory or change your Outfit.
3. Exit the Interaction Menu.

Method 2: Accessing the Swap Character Menu

Navigating to the Swap Character menu, even without switching characters, also forces an autosave.

1. Open the Pause Menu (Keyboard: Esc; Controller: Start).
2. Go to the Online tab.
3. Select Swap Character.

By utilizing these methods, you can safeguard your progress in both GTA 5 and GTA Online, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience.