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GTA 6 receives strict restrictions on PS5 download codes not present on Xbox

Keep your eyes peeled.

Lucia Caminos from Grand Theft Auto 6 wearing a black top and denim skirt leaning against a wooden counter.

Rockstar Games

Published: Wednesday, 29 July 2026 at 11:50 am

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If you’re planning on buying yourself a copy of Grand Theft Auto 6 on PS5 later this year, then there are some major restrictions you’ll want to be aware of.

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GTA 6 is set to be the biggest game ever released, and perhaps one of the biggest pieces of media full stop.

With trailers racking up hundreds of millions of views, and pre-orders now live, the hype for this game is unfathomable.

And if you want to be on your sofa playing it on release day, then you will need to keep abreast of some strict regional restrictions for PlayStation owners.

As detailed on Rockstar’s GTA 6 support page, all download codes for the game will come with regional restrictions.

That means, for example, if you own a UK PS5 console, you can only play games with codes purchased from the UK PlayStation Store, and not from other regions.

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This restriction is applied across the world to various countries, such as the US and Canada – which are grouped together – Japan, Brazil, as well as entire regions such as Latin America, EMEA and parts of Asia.

Interestingly, the restrictions are even stricter in Japan, where all codes will expire 170 days after purchase, though if you’re buying a code for GTA 6, we imagine it’s unlikely that you’re going to wait six whole months to redeem it.

These restrictions only apply to digital copies of the game, meaning if you purchased a physical copy of GTA 6 – when they eventually arrive – in the US, you would be able to play it on a UK PS5.

This factor only exacerbates the controversy surrounding Sony’s recent decision to halt the production of physical games in two years, as players from 2028 onwards will have no choice but to purchase these region-locked download codes.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Alex Raisbeck, smiling against a lime green background.

Alex RaisbeckGaming writer

Alex Raisbeck is a Gaming Writer at Radio Times, covering everything from AAA giants to indie gems. Alex has written for VideoGamer, GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, PCGamesN and more.

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