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PS5 Workaround Could Unlock GTA 6 Up to 18 Hours Early
A New Zealand PSN workaround could let PS5 players start GTA 6 up to 18 hours early, Notebookcheck reports.
Notebookcheck says a rolling midnight launch by region looks increasingly likely on the November 19 release date, with New Zealand unlocking first. The workaround would let players in other countries use that early time.
Why New Zealand Unlocks First
The PlayStation Store shows a countdown clock that hints at unlock times, so some players will wait longer than others. X user Videotech posted a chart of the matching times around the world. Notebookcheck lists these times for players who use the workaround:
| Region | Unlock Time on November 18 |
| U.S. East Coast | 6 AM |
| U.S. West Coast | 3 AM |
| France, Germany, and Italy | 12 PM |
How the Workaround Works
X user Synth Potato summarized the steps. Players create a New Zealand PSN account, turn on console sharing and offline play, and pre-order the game on that account with a New Zealand gift card. Console sharing should then let them play from their original profile.
Some Xbox owners plan to change their console location to New Zealand instead. Notebookcheck says the process is more involved for PS5 players.
The Catch
- PlayStation Network does not allow accounts tied to a country where the player does not live. Notebookcheck says Sony has not commonly enforced that rule.
- Notebookcheck does not cite Rockstar or Sony confirming the regional unlock times or the workaround.
- The times rest on the PlayStation Store countdown and a chart from one X user, so they could change.
Pre-Load Date and File Size
Players who do not want the risk can pre-load the game on November 12. Notebookcheck says pre-load likely follows the same regional schedule. The PS5 version is expected to take up about 210 GB, so downloading early is wise.
Our November 2026 game release calendar lists GTA 6 on November 19 alongside the month’s other launches. Our earlier post on GTA 6 launching on November 19 covers the release date confirmation.
Would you risk a workaround to play a few hours early, or wait for your normal unlock time?
Image Credit: Rockstar Games
