Wanted level

Overview

Reported GTA 6’s wanted level reportedly runs to six stars. TGG, who watched developers play at Rockstar North, says the six-star level is back but hard to reach, and that at six stars the police hunt you across the whole map. Red Bull’s coverage of the Extended Look also reports a maximum of six.

On screen The Extended Look shows a row of wanted stars in the HUD but never spells out what each level does.

Key facts

• Reported Maximum: six stars, which bring a map-wide chase (TGG).
• Reported Below six: a small dark red circle marks the crime search area, and a larger red circle marks a search area outside it (TGG).
• Reported Minimap: police no longer appear on it (TGG).
• Reported What they remember: your appearance, car, clothes, weapons and whether you were with Lucia (TGG).
• Reported Trackers: in every police vehicle and many others, removable at a fence or a pay and spray (TGG).

On screen

On screen A row of wanted stars appears with other HUD symbols in the Extended Look’s robbery montage (11:32 to 12:00), and outlined stars show during the masked motorcycle getaway (18:04 to 18:13).

Our read Empty outlines may simply be levels not yet reached. Nothing in the video shows that they mean the police have not identified you.

How the search works

Reported By TGG’s account, you can no longer hide by watching the minimap and waiting, because officers are not on it. Below six stars the game marks two red circles, a small dark one for the area of the crime and a larger one for the search around it. Cops are smarter and harder to lose, and they will shoot out your tires.

Reported Red Bull’s coverage says police decide who they are after by clothes, appearance and vehicle.

Losing a wanted level

Reported TGG says changing vehicles and appearance is the best way to lose the police. Trackers, fitted to every police car and many others, can be removed at a fence or a pay and spray, but not every pay and spray is unlocked at the start. Red Bull adds that shooting out tires is an effective way to shake a pursuit.

On screen The Extended Look plays that routine out. After the police radio reports no visual on the suspect vehicle (15:44 to 15:59), the crew burns the car and switches to a van (15:58 to 16:18). The item wheel shown at 17:52 carries a bandana, sunglasses and a cap.

Wanted level and Criminal Profile

Reported The Criminal Profile, reported by PC Gamer, IBTimes UK and TGG, is a separate record of how Jason and Lucia commit crimes, running from Professional to a permanent Shattered state.

Our read The wanted level is the chase in progress, the profile is what stays on file afterwards.

In the leaks

Reported Kotaku’s roundup of details in the August 2026 leaked videos lists a six-star wanted level in its headline.

How players reacted

Reported A top reply under TGG’s summary (917 points) asked whether six stars now means the army chasing you instead of “a million cops”. No preview has answered it.

Our read

Our read The reported design moves the wanted level from a timer you wait out to a description you have to break. Stars tell you how hard they are looking, the circles tell you where, and your clothes and car decide whether they recognize you when they get there.

Questions

How many wanted stars does GTA 6 have? Reported Six, according to TGG and Red Bull’s coverage of the Extended Look.

Do police show on the minimap in GTA 6? Reported No. TGG says red circles mark the search area instead.

How do you lose a wanted level in GTA 6? Reported TGG says changing vehicles and appearance is the best way, and that trackers come off at a fence or a pay and spray.

Can police recognize you after a crime? Reported TGG says officers know your appearance, car and clothes, whether you were with Lucia and what weapons you were holding.