A big job with setup steps and a large payout at the end. Think of it like a mini story mission, but for cash. Some need friends, some you can do alone.

Why am I getting killed for no reason?

Other players can attack you in freemode. Use Passive Mode from the Interaction Menu, or switch to a different session.

Do I need PlayStation Plus / Xbox Live?

On console, yes. Online multiplayer requires a subscription. PC does not need one.

Are millions of players in my game at once?

No. You are in a session with a small group (about 30 players). See How Online Multiplayer Works for sessions and voice chat.

Can I use a microphone to talk to others?

Yes. Proximity voice for nearby players, or party chat with friends. Not everyone worldwide. See How Online Multiplayer Works.

First 2 Hours

•Finish Lamar's tutorial first. It teaches the basics.
•Your phone lists jobs. Open it to find work.
•Other players can attack you. Passive Mode keeps you safe.
•Small jobs first (Contact Missions). Save your cash.
•Don't buy fancy cars yet. You'll need that money later.

Hour 1: Setup and tutorial

When you first enter GTA Online, you create your own character (looks only, not Michael, Franklin, or Trevor). Lamar walks you through driving, shooting, and how sessions work. Do not skip this. After the tutorial you land in freemode with almost no money and Rank 1.

Tip: Story progress does not carry over. You start fresh in Online.

Hour 1: Learn your phone

Open your phone (see Controls tab for your button). Key apps: Contacts (call NPCs for jobs), Quick Job (matchmaking for races/deathmatches), Internet (buy properties and vehicles), and Jobs (browse available work). Colored blips on the map also mark job starts.

Tip: Contact Missions from Gerald, Lamar, or Simeon are your first income source.

Hour 1: Turn on Passive Mode

GTA Online shares the city with other real players. Some will attack you for no reason. Open the Interaction Menu (M on PC, hold map button on console) and enable Passive Mode. You become immune to player attacks but cannot attack them either.

Tip: Enable Passive Mode before starting any job. There is a cooldown after you turn it off.

Hour 2: First Contact Missions

Call Gerald or Simeon from your phone Contacts. Accept the mission invite when it pops up. You and 1–3 other players do a short job together, steal a car, deliver packages, etc. Pay is small ($5K–$30K) but you learn matchmaking, checkpoints, and combat basics.

Approaches:Set matchmaking to Auto in Interaction Menu if you want random teammates. Or invite friends from your friends list.

Hour 2: Daily Objectives

Three small tasks appear on the bottom-right of your screen each day (e.g. visit a location, steal a vehicle, win a race). Complete all three for bonus cash and RP. They reset every 24 hours. Easy extra money while you learn.

Tip: Daily Objectives often overlap with Contact Missions. Do both at once.

Hour 2: What NOT to buy yet

Do not buy supercars, weaponized vehicles, apartments, or businesses in your first sessions. You need cash for the Kosatka submarine ($2.2M) later, the best solo money maker. Fancy cars look cool but drain your bank account before you can earn properly.

Tip: See Properties 101 for the recommended buy order.

Your first-week goal

By end of week one you should: understand Passive Mode and sessions, complete 5–10 Contact Missions, finish Daily Objectives when available, and start saving toward Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid (free, ~$500K) once you rank up enough. The Make Money guide walks through the full path step by step.

Tip: If menu names confuse you, check the Glossary tab or How to Start Jobs for exact steps.