GTA 6 and PS5 Firmware: Why Sony Keeps Updating Before Launch

Sony keeps patching the PS5 as GTA 6's launch gets closer. The latest system update, 26.07-14.22.00, came out on November 1 with a one-line note about "security fixes"Reported2. playstationlifestyle.net — PS5 System Update Rolled Out to Ring in November 2026. It's the latest move in Sony's fight with PS5 jailbreakers. Dataminers also say GTA 6 itself will need recent firmware to runReported10. notebookcheck.net — GTA 6 blocks PS5 jailbreak and piracy on release date, requiring 14.10.00 firmware12. Tyrone Magnus — Sony Just Released a NEW PS5 Update to STOP Gamers from JAILBREAKING!. Here's what's going on and what you need to do before November 19.

Sony Just Released a NEW PS5 Update to STOP Gamers from JAILBREAKING!Plays from YouTube when you press play

The short version

• Update your PS5 before launch. It takes a few minutes and avoids a nasty surprise on November 19.
• GTA 6 reportedly needs firmware 14.10 or newerReported10. notebookcheck.net — GTA 6 blocks PS5 jailbreak and piracy on release date, requiring 14.10.00 firmware12. Tyrone Magnus — Sony Just Released a NEW PS5 Update to STOP Gamers from JAILBREAKING!. Neither Sony nor Rockstar has confirmed itReported10. notebookcheck.net — GTA 6 blocks PS5 jailbreak and piracy on release date, requiring 14.10.00 firmware.
• If your PS5 updates automatically and is online, you're already fine.

Recent PS5 updates

The new update is about 1.3GBReported3. news.instant-gaming.com — Sony is improving the PS5 security with another system update, and for now it doesn't look mandatoryReported4. mp1st.com — PS5 Update 26.07-14.22.00 Drops for 'Security' as We Approach GTA 6's Launch. Sony's patch notes rarely say more than "security fixes," but the timing makes the target clear.

Why Sony keeps patching: the jailbreak race

The PS5 hacking scene has been busy right as GTA 6 approaches:

• Relapse: this exploit worked on firmware 7.00 to 13.60 and was closed in the 14.00 updatesReported6. twistedvoxel.com — PS5 System Update 26.07-14.22.00 Released With Security Fixes Following Recent Exploit Reports.
• Overdrive: a cloned PlayStation Store offering free game downloads was taken down within 24 hours after a cease-and-desist letterReported7. hothardware.com — Sony Patches PS5 Again As GTA 6 Piracy Fears Put Jailbreaks In Focus.
• Firmware 14.10: a developer called Gezine showed hidden debug settings on 14.10 on October 19, but kept the exploit private and said copying games didn't seem to work on 14.xx firmwareReported8. gameriv.com — PS5 Firmware 14.10 Reportedly Jailbroken Days After Sony Made It Mandatory for PSN.
• Firmware 14.20: a researcher known as kuzi claimed a new entry point. It only reaches the "userland" level, not the deeper kernel needed for full piracyReported6. twistedvoxel.com — PS5 System Update 26.07-14.22.00 Released With Security Fixes Following Recent Exploit Reports7. hothardware.com — Sony Patches PS5 Again As GTA 6 Piracy Fears Put Jailbreaks In Focus.

Several outlets believe 14.22 was released to shut down that latest exploit, though Sony hasn't said soRumor4. mp1st.com — PS5 Update 26.07-14.22.00 Drops for 'Security' as We Approach GTA 6's Launch9. pushsquare.com — New PS5 Firmware Update Available Now as Sony Cracks Down on Jailbreaks. Sony has also made recent firmware compulsory before: consoles on 14.00 were asked to update to 14.10 before they could use PSNReported8. gameriv.com — PS5 Firmware 14.10 Reportedly Jailbroken Days After Sony Made It Mandatory for PSN.

Does GTA 6 need the latest firmware?

According to the X account PlayStation Game Size, which tracks PlayStation Store data, GTA 6 requires firmware 14.10.00 or newerReported10. notebookcheck.net — GTA 6 blocks PS5 jailbreak and piracy on release date, requiring 14.10.00 firmware12. Tyrone Magnus — Sony Just Released a NEW PS5 Update to STOP Gamers from JAILBREAKING!. If that's right, anyone holding back their PS5 on old firmware to keep a jailbreak would have to update to play, which closes a door to piracy on launch day.

Sony hasn't acknowledged targeting any exploit, Rockstar is unlikely to comment, and disc copies may behave differently from digital onesReported10. notebookcheck.net — GTA 6 blocks PS5 jailbreak and piracy on release date, requiring 14.10.00 firmware. GTA 6's boxed edition is a code in a box, not a disc, so in practice nearly every player will need to update. See our physical edition explainer.

How to update your PS5

Sony's official steps:

1. Go to Settings > System > System Software.
2. Select System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software.
3. If a download stalls, press the PS button, go to Downloads/Uploads, select the error and choose Try Again.

From the same menu you can turn on automatic updates, so your PS5 installs new firmware while it's in rest mode.

No internet on the console? You can update from a USB drive:

1. On a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive, create a folder called PS5, and inside it a folder called UPDATE.
2. Download the update file from PlayStation's website and save it there as PS5UPDATE.PUP.
3. With the PS5 off, hold the power button until the second beep to start in Safe Mode.
4. Choose Update System Software > Update from USB Storage Device.

Don't turn off the console while the update installs.

Before November 19

Update the firmware, make room for the roughly 210GB download (see how much storage GTA 6 needs), and preload from November 12 (preload guide). If something still goes wrong on launch day, our GTA 6 launch errors and fixes page has you covered.