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Grand Theft Auto 5 and GTA Online utilize autosave features, automatically recording your progress. However, the timing of these autosaves isn't always predictable. To prevent potential loss of progress, manual saves and forced autosaves are recommended. This guide details how to save in both Grand Theft Auto 5 and GTA Online.
A rotating orange circle in the bottom-right corner indicates an autosave in progress. While easily missed, its appearance confirms your progress has been saved.
GTA 5: How to Save
Sleeping at a Safehouse
Manual saving in GTA 5's Story Mode is achieved by sleeping in a Safehouse bed. Safehouses, marked by a white house icon on the map, are the protagonists' residences. Once inside, approach the bed and press the following to sleep and access the Save Game menu:
- Keyboard: E
- Controller: Right on D-Pad
Using the Cell Phone
For a quicker save, bypass the Safehouse and use your in-game cell phone:
- Access the cell phone (Keyboard: Up arrow; Controller: Up on D-pad).
- Select the cloud icon to open the Save Game menu.
- Confirm the save.
GTA Online: How to Save
Unlike GTA 5's Story Mode, GTA Online lacks a dedicated manual save menu. However, several methods force autosaves, preventing data loss. Utilize these strategies regularly:
Changing Outfits/Accessories
Altering your outfit or even a single accessory triggers an autosave. Look for the spinning orange circle in the bottom-right corner to confirm. 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.
Using the Swap Character Menu
Navigating to the Swap Character menu, even without switching characters, also forces an autosave:
- Open the Pause Menu (Keyboard: Esc; Controller: Start).
- Go to the Online tab.
- Select Swap Character.
