How to Steal Cars in GTA 6: Locks, Trackers and WAINK
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Follow on XStealing a car in GTA 6 is no longer one button press. Cars come with layers of security: older models open by jimmying the lock, newer ones need a key cloner, and some expensive cars carry a tracker the police can follow. You can sell a stolen car to a fence, and a damaged car is worth less. Carjack someone and they can report the theft to the police.
None of this is confirmed in game yet. GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026 (see the GTA 6 release date guide), and we'll check every point on launch day and fully update this guide.
On this page
Quick facts
Every answer below is pre-launch and not yet confirmed in game.
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
Can you steal any car with one button? | No, cars have layers of security (not yet confirmed in game) |
Older, less secure cars | Jimmy the lock (not yet confirmed in game) |
Newer, modern cars | Need a key cloner (not yet confirmed in game) |
Can you still carjack? | Yes, by pulling a driver out of a car on the street (not yet confirmed in game) |
Trackers | Some newer, expensive cars broadcast their position so the police can follow you (not yet confirmed in game) |
WAINK | A phone app that shows a car's security features and tracking (not yet confirmed in game) |
Selling a stolen car | You can sell it to a fence (not yet confirmed in game) |
Does damage matter? | Yes, a damaged car pays less (not yet confirmed in game) |
Fence payouts | TBC |
Car alarms | TBC |
Can you keep a stolen car? | TBC |
How car security works
In earlier GTA games you could walk up to almost any parked car, press one button, hot-wire it and drive off. GTA 6 replaces that with layers of security, and the rule of thumb is simple: the more expensive the car, the harder it is to steal.
That means different cars need different ways in:
Older, less secure cars. Jimmy the lock to get in.
Newer, modern cars. These need a key cloner rather than brute force.
So before you go after a car, it pays to know what kind of security it has. That is where the WAINK app comes in (below). For the full list of rides announced so far, browse our GTA 6 vehicles hub.
Carjacking, trackers and the police
You can still carjack: pull a driver out of their car on the street and take it. The person you take it from can report the theft to the police.
The bigger problem is trackers. Some newer, expensive cars carry one that keeps broadcasting the car's position, and with it the police can follow you. A tracked car can bring the police after you.
The WAINK app and selling to fences
Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos (meet them in our GTA 6 characters guide) carry a phone app called WAINK. It shows a car's security features and tracking, so you can tell how hard a car will be to steal.
A fence is someone who buys stolen goods, and there are fences for cars, so you can sell a stolen car to one. What you get paid depends partly on the car's condition when you deliver it, so a car you crash on the way to the fence is worth less than one you deliver clean.
What is not confirmed yet
A few things about how to steal cars in GTA 6 are still open: whether cars have alarms and what they do, how much fences pay and whether you can keep a stolen car for yourself. We'll answer all three once the game is out. For everything else that has been announced, see everything we know about GTA 6.
FAQ
Can you still hot-wire any car in GTA 6?
No, the one-button steal is gone. Older, less secure cars open by jimmying the lock, and newer ones need a key cloner. This is not yet confirmed in game.
What is a key cloner in GTA 6?
It is the tool you need to steal newer, modern cars. This is not yet confirmed in game.
What do trackers do in GTA 6?
Some newer, expensive cars have a tracker that keeps broadcasting their position, so the police can follow you. This is not yet confirmed in game.
What is WAINK in GTA 6?
WAINK is a phone app Jason and Lucia use. It shows a car's security features and tracking. This is not yet confirmed in game.
How much do fences pay for stolen cars?
Payouts have not been announced yet. A damaged car is expected to be worth less, so deliver it in good condition. This is not yet confirmed in game.
Can you still carjack in GTA 6?
Yes, you can pull a driver out of a car on the street. They can then report the theft to the police. This is not yet confirmed in game.
