This guide details how to save your progress in Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5) and GTA Online. Both games utilize autosave, but manual saves and forced autosaves offer extra security. An orange, rotating circle in the bottom-right corner indicates an active autosave.
GTA 5: Saving Your Game
There are two primary methods for saving in GTA 5 Story Mode:
1. Sleeping at a Safehouse:
Safehouses (marked with a white house icon on the map) allow manual saving. Enter a safehouse, approach your character's bed, and press:
- Keyboard: E
- Controller: Right on the D-pad
This will initiate the save game process.
2. Using the Cell Phone:
For a quicker save, utilize the in-game cell phone:
- Open the cell phone (Keyboard: Up arrow; Controller: Up on the D-pad).
- Select the cloud icon to access the Save Game menu.
- Confirm the save.
GTA Online: Forcing Autosaves
GTA Online lacks a dedicated manual save menu. However, these actions trigger autosaves:
1. Changing Outfits/Accessories:
Altering your outfit or even a single accessory forces an autosave. Look for the orange circle confirmation. Repeat if necessary.
- Open the Interaction Menu (Keyboard: M; Controller: Touchpad).
- Select Appearance, then Accessories. Swap an accessory or change your Outfit.
- Exit the Interaction Menu.
2. Accessing the Swap Character Menu:
Navigating to the Swap Character menu, even without changing characters, also triggers an autosave.
- Open the Pause Menu (Keyboard: Esc; Controller: Start).
- Go to the Online tab.
- Select Swap Character.
Remember to regularly utilize these methods to safeguard your progress in both GTA 5 and GTA Online.