GTA 6 wanted system: six stars, what police know and how to lose them
A spoiler-free guide to GTA VI's police: the sixth star, the clues cops collect and the evasion tricks shown so far.
GTA 6 uses a six-star wanted level, and its police build up a picture of you from your face, clothes and car. That is the picture painted by press coverage of Rockstar's An Extended Look video (August 27, 2026) and by Edge's studio preview (October 29). Rockstar has not published an official breakdown, so this guide separates what is visible in official footage from what outlets report and from what nobody knows yet. The game launches on November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
What we know about the wanted system
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Wanted level shows up to six stars | Seen in official footage, per GamesRadar+ and others |
| Icons below the stars show what police know (face, clothing, vehicle) | Reported from the Extended Look |
| Police are called only if a witness sees a crime or an alarm/camera reports it | Reported (Edge preview, relayed by outlets) |
| Clues also include partner, CCTV and weapon | Reported (Edge) |
| Patrols search a marked area instead of showing live on the minimap | Reported by some outlets, details vary |
| What the sixth star changes (response, tactics) | Not announced |
How police "know" you
Instead of a pure star counter, the footage reportedly shows small icons that tell you which clues police hold. Outlets describe three core ones: your face, what you are wearing and the vehicle you used. Edge's preview adds whether you were alone or with your partner, whether CCTV caught you and which weapon you carried. We cover that preview in our Criminal Profile report, including the separate behaviour tracker, which is not the same system.
How to lose the police (as reported)
These are early impressions from footage and previews, not confirmed mechanics:
- Change vehicle. Several outlets say a car police have already logged stops matching you once you swap it or hide it in a garage.
- Change clothes or drop the weapon. GamesRadar+ reports hiding a weapon or changing outfit removes that clue. Other outlets say it does not automatically clear an active wanted level, so expect nuance.
- Break line of sight. The search is described as an area around your last known position, so staying out of it matters.
- Split from your partner. Edge lists your partner as one of the clues police can use.
If Rockstar publishes an official explainer, we will update this page.
What it means for players
The wanted system looks less like "outrun the stars" and more like managing information: what cops saw, what they can match, and how fast you can change it. Combine it with the slower day-night cycle and the larger Edge map and NPC details and the world looks designed to react to you. Check the release date hub for launch details and the trailers page to watch the Extended Look yourself.
MAX WANTED is an independent fan site and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two.
FAQ
How many wanted stars does GTA 6 have?
Six. Press coverage of Rockstar's Extended Look (Aug 27, 2026) reports a six-star scale, one more than GTA 5. Rockstar has not explained what the sixth star brings.
Can you lose the police by changing clothes in GTA 6?
Reports say police track your clothing and that changing it can shake that clue, but outlets disagree on whether it clears an active wanted level. Treat it as unconfirmed until release.
Do police react to every crime in GTA 6?
According to Edge's preview, relayed by several outlets, a crime needs a witness or an alarm before police respond.
Is the GTA 6 wanted system the same as the Criminal Profile?
No. The wanted system is about police pursuit and what cops know about you. The Criminal Profile is a separate behaviour tracker reported by Edge.
Sources
- GamesRadar+ — GTA 6 wanted system goes up to 6 stars and lets police track your face, clothes and car (Aug 27, 2026)
- GameSpot — GTA 6 Has A Red Dead 2 Honor-Style System Tracking How Violent You Are (Oct 29, 2026)
- GTABoom — GTA 6 Edge preview: fuel, car trackers, public transport and reactive police searches (Oct 29, 2026)
- Rockstar Games — GTA VI: An Extended Look (official site) (Aug 27, 2026)
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