GTA 6 Wanted System Explained: 6 Stars, Star Colors and How to Lose the Cops
GTA 6 brings back a six-star wanted level and police who only know what they have seen. Here is how crimes get reported, what the solid, flashing, red and hollow stars mean, and every confirmed way to escape.
The police in GTA 6 are the biggest change to how the series plays since GTA V. Instead of the classic system where a crime instantly puts a radius around you, Leonida's cops respond to what witnesses, alarms and cameras actually report, and they remember what you look like. This guide explains every part of it, based on the Extended Look and Rockstar's interviews with IGN and other outlets.
How many wanted stars does GTA 6 have?
Six. GTA 6 raises the maximum from GTA V's five back to six, the cap used in GTA IV and earlier games. At six stars the area police are searching covers the entire map.
How crimes get reported
A crime is not reported just because you committed it. Rob Nelson told IGN that it needs a witness or a tripped alarm first. Rob a quiet store with nobody watching and there may be no response at all. Stolen cars with advanced trackers can also alert the police, especially if you drive too slowly.
What the star colors mean
In the Extended Look, Lucia gestures at officers while her stars are hollow and they do nothing, because they do not know she is the suspect.
| Stars | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow | The crime was reported, but police have no description of you | Walk away calmly; nobody is looking for your face |
| Solid white | Police can see you and are actively chasing | Break line of sight |
| Flashing white | You have broken line of sight | Keep moving and hide |
| Red | Police have lost you but are searching a heat zone around your last position | Leave the zone or change your description |
What the police know about you
Icons under the stars show what the police have on you. Nelson told IGN they know what a character looks like, what they are wearing, what vehicle they are using and whether Jason and Lucia are together.
- Weapon: they know you are armed
- Identity: they know who you are
- Clothing: they have a description of your outfit
- Couple: both protagonists have been identified together
- CCTV: a camera recorded you
How to lose the cops in GTA 6
- Break line of sight to turn solid stars into flashing, then red
- Change your clothes to drop the clothing description
- Switch vehicles, since police track the car you were seen in
- Split up Jason and Lucia so the couple description no longer matches
- Get off the streets. At around three stars, Nelson says your best bet is to go on foot into the alleys
- A new haircut alone does not clear your heat
Planning crimes so you never get stars
Because reports depend on witnesses, alarms and cameras, the cleanest crime is one nobody reports. Scan cars with the Waink app first to avoid alarms and trackers, look for a second exit before robbing a store, park your getaway car outside, and avoid CCTV. If police surround a building, a back exit can be the difference between a hollow star and a six-star chase. Our gameplay guide covers robberies and car theft in detail.
Getting busted
If either protagonist is arrested, you get the Busted screen, even if the other one escaped. When you are playing as a pair, protect your partner as well as yourself.
How it ties into your Criminal Profile
Separate from the wanted level, a Criminal Profile tracks how you play, with particular attention to unnecessary violence. A messy six-star rampage does not just bring more police; it shapes how the world, and some story moments, treat Jason and Lucia.
GTA 6 vs GTA 5 wanted system
| GTA 5 | GTA 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum stars | 5 | 6 |
| Reporting | Mostly instant | Needs a witness, alarm, camera or tracker |
| Police memory | Your location | Your face, clothes, car, weapon and whether you are a couple |
| Escaping | Leave the search cone | Break sight, change clothes or car, split up, leave the heat zone |
FAQ
How many stars is the GTA 6 wanted level?
Six, up from five in GTA V. At six stars police search the whole map.
What do hollow stars mean in GTA 6?
The crime was reported but police have no description of you, so they will not recognise you on sight.
What do red stars mean in GTA 6?
Police have lost sight of you but are still searching a heat zone around where you were last seen.
How do you lose a wanted level in GTA 6?
Break line of sight, change clothes, switch cars, split Jason and Lucia up, or get off the main streets and leave the search zone.
Do police remember your face in GTA 6?
Yes. Rockstar says police track what a character looks like, what they wear, what they drive and whether Jason and Lucia are together.