How to Install Grand Theft Auto V (GTAV) on Xbox 360

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: January 24, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to install Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) on your Xbox 360. You can install the game directly from the disc onto your Xbox 360's hard drive, or you can download and install the game from the Xbox Live store. Keep in mind that you'll need at least eight gigabytes of free space on your Xbox 360 to do this; if you have the 4 GB version of the Xbox 360-E model, you'll need to plug an external hard drive into the console's USB port for this to work.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Installing from the Disc

1
Turn on your Xbox 360 and controller. Press and hold the "Guide" button (the Xbox logo in the middle of the controller) on a synced controller to turn both on at the same time.
2
Press the "Eject" button. It's to the left or to the right of your Xbox 360's disc tray. The disc tray will eject.

Advertisement
3
Insert the GTA V "Disc 1" disc. Place the disc in the tray with the logo facing up, then press the "Eject" button again to insert the disc.
- Do not use the "Disc 2" disc, as doing so will result in installation issues.
4
Wait for the installation window to appear. You'll likely have to sit through several introduction screens (e.g., Rockstar's logo page) before you can continue.
- You may have to press A with the disc box selected to launch GTA V if your console isn't set to automatically play inserted discs.
5
Select your preferred storage and press A. Doing so will prompt the GTA V to begin installing.
- You may first have to install an update for GTA V by selecting OK when prompted.
6
Wait for the game to finish installing. This can take several minutes.
7
Eject the disk. Once the game finishes installing, press the "Eject" button again to remove the installation disc.
8
Insert the "Disc 2" disc. This is the gameplay disc. Doing so should launch GTA V, at which point you can begin playing it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Installing from the Live Store

1
Turn on your Xbox 360 and controller. Press and hold the "Guide" button (the Xbox logo in the middle of the controller) on a synced controller to turn both on at the same time.
- If your Xbox 360 has less than 16 gigabytes of free space available, you can plug a 20 GB (or larger) flash drive or USB drive into the Xbox's USB port to serve as storage. You may have to format the drive for exFAT before you can use it with your 360.
2
Make sure that you're signed into the correct account. Press the "Guide" button, then look at the name on the left side of the Guide window. If it matches your gamertag, press the "Guide" button again.
- If the gamertag is incorrect, press X to sign out, then press X again and select the correct account.
3
Press RB twice. This will navigate over to the games tab.
4
Select Search Games and press A. You'll find this magnifying glass-shaped icon at the bottom of the screen. Selecting it will open the Xbox Live store.
5
Enter gta into the search bar. Use the keyboard at the top of the screen to do this. A drop-down menu will appear below the search bar.
6
Select gta v and press A. This option is in the drop-down menu.
7
Select Grand Theft Auto 5 and press A. It should be the first option to appear on the far-left side of the screen. Doing so opens the GTA V page.
8
Select Purchase and press A. This will take you to the GTA V purchase page.
- If you've downloaded GTA V before, select Download Again twice to immediately download GTA V. You may be prompted to select a different storage location.
9
Select Confirm Purchase and press A. You'll be prompted to select a storage location.
10
Select a storage location and press A. You'll need at least 16 gigabytes of hard drive space to house GTA V. Once you've selected a download location, GTA V will begin installing onto your Xbox 360.
- Once the download is complete, you'll be able to play GTA V directly from your My Games page.

Community Q&A

Question

What should I do when it says that it can't read the disk on a brand new game?

Community Answer

Try wiping the disk gently with a soft cloth, and trying again. If you bought the disk within the last week, you may be able to exchange it for a new one.
Question

Does this mean I can only play with disc 2 after finishing the disc 1 installation?

Community Answer

Yes, you can only play the game using disc 2 AFTER disc one has been installed.
Question

Why is it telling me to open the tray for disc 2?

Community Answer

Because the installation of disc 1 has been finished and it's time to load the storyline, which is in disc 2.

Warnings

Grand Theft Auto V is a dual-platform (Xbox 360 and Xbox One) game that may experience lag or other problems when played on your Xbox 360.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1