Can I change my mind after picking?

Not without reloading a save from before the phone call. Save before The Big Score finale.

Does the ending affect GTA Online?

No. Story and Online are completely separate saves and characters.

Which ending gives the most money?

Deathwish lets all three characters keep earning. For maximum cash, combine Deathwish with the optional stock assassination strategy after the story.

Do I lose missions if a character dies?

Yes. Killing Trevor or Michael locks out their Strangers and Freaks missions and you cannot play as them again.

Endings

•Spoiler warning. Stop here if you haven't finished the story.
•After The Big Score, you get one phone call with three choices.
•Option A: Kill Trevor. You lose Trevor forever.
•Option B: Kill Michael. You lose Michael forever.
•Option C: Deathwish. All three survive. Recommended.

When the choice happens

The ending choice comes right after The Big Score (Heist 5). Franklin gets a call from Steve Haines, Devin Weston, and Trevor. Each wants you to kill someone else. You pick on your phone. There is no going back without reloading a save.

Tip: Save your game before the finale if you want to try a different ending later.

Option A: Kill Trevor

Franklin lures Trevor to a meeting and you fight him. Trevor dies permanently. Michael and Franklin stay friends. You keep Trevor's safehouse and vehicles, but you cannot switch to Trevor again. Some Strangers and Freaks missions tied to Trevor become unavailable.

Tip: Only pick this if you genuinely dislike playing as Trevor.

Option B: Kill Michael

Franklin helps a corrupt government agent take out Michael. Michael dies permanently. You lose access to Michael's safehouse and special ability. Franklin and Trevor remain playable. Some Michael-specific content is locked out.

Tip: The least popular choice. Michael is useful for bank shots and many story missions.

Option C: Deathwish (recommended)

All three protagonists team up against their enemies. You fight through a multi-stage finale with all characters alive at the end. Everyone keeps their safehouses, abilities, and side content. This is the canon-feeling ending most players choose.

Tip: Deathwish unlocks the most post-game content. Do optional stock assassinations after this if you want max money.

What changes after the ending

Credits roll, then you return to freemode in Story Mode. Side missions, hobbies, and collectibles remain. Only the main story is finished. Your ending choice does not affect GTA Online at all, Online is a separate save.

Post-game checklist

After Deathwish (or any ending): finish remaining Strangers and Freaks, do the four optional Lester stock assassinations if you saved them, buy properties and businesses, complete hobbies (golf, tennis, street races), and hunt collectibles (spaceship parts, letter scraps, etc.).

Tip: See the Collectibles & 100% Checklist for stunt jumps, under-the-bridge, and a progress tracker.