The live download replaces the earlier estimate with a measured figure
GTA BOOM captured the PS5 download after preloading opened in New Zealand. The screen lists 209.8 GB of content needed to begin playing, rather than a figure taken only from a store database.
That distinction matters because an earlier backend report placed the download near 210 GB before Rockstar published its own guidance. The new screen supports that estimate, while the official FAQ leaves room for small differences between devices and platforms.
PlayStation and Xbox use different rollout rules
Rockstar says PlayStation 5 preloading begins at midnight on 10 November in each account’s local time zone. Regions that reach midnight first can therefore start the download before players farther west.
Xbox Series X and Series S use one global start at 00:00 GMT on 10 November. In both cases, a digital preorder is required and automatic downloads must be enabled if the player wants the console to begin without manual input.
The download still needs storage headroom
A console may need more free space than the number shown on the progress screen. Installation, temporary files and a possible launch update can all increase the short-term storage requirement, so leaving additional room is safer than clearing exactly 209.8 GB.
The preload does not unlock the game early. GTA 6 remains scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on 19 November. Until then, the installed files stay locked even after the progress bar reaches 100 per cent.