EVADE OR GET CAUGHT
GTA 6 Wanted Level & Police System, Fully Explained
Six stars are back, but the star meter isn't the whole story anymore. Here's how GTA 6's rebuilt wanted system actually works, star by star.
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GTA 6 returns to a six-star wanted system, but layers it with a criminal profile that tracks who you are, not just where you are. Being wanted and being identified are now two separate problems: a crime has to be witnessed, or trip an alarm, before police even get involved — and once they do, they build a profile of your clothing, vehicle and companions that outlasts simply breaking line of sight.
READING THE HEAT
What Each Star Color Means
Active Pursuit
Police have direct line of sight on you and are actively chasing. This is the most dangerous state — break it before anything else.
Searching
Sight is broken, but police are actively searching your last known position. Staying still nearby is still risky.
Heat Zone
The direct chase is technically over, but you're still inside an active heat zone where police remain alert to your description.
How the Criminal Profile System Works
Instead of a single star meter that resets once you're out of sight, GTA 6 builds an actual profile of the suspect — you. Police can use your appearance, clothing, vehicle, CCTV footage, and even who you're with to keep tracking you after a direct chase ends. Change your shirt but keep driving the same flagged car, and you're still identifiable. It turns evasion from "outrun the timer" into an information-management problem.
How to Actually Evade Police
Because the system tracks multiple data points at once, effective evasion usually means changing more than one thing: swap vehicles and clothing where possible, avoid known CCTV-heavy areas, and consider separating from a companion if their description is also part of what's being tracked. Altering just your hairstyle won't help if police already logged your outfit and car. It rewards planning ahead of a job, not just reacting after alarms go off. Police pursuits were part of what Rockstar showed in An Extended Look, straight from the official GTA VI site.
PEOPLE ALSO ASK
FAQ
Six, the same maximum as classic-era GTA games, but layered with an evidence-tracking system that GTA V never had.
No. A crime has to be witnessed by someone or trigger an alarm before it's reported. Committing a crime with no witnesses around doesn't summon police instantly.
Sometimes. Police build a criminal profile from your appearance, clothing, vehicle and even your companions. Changing clothes helps only if your vehicle or companion isn't also part of what they're tracking.
Solid white stars mean police have direct line of sight and are actively chasing you. Flashing white means they've lost sight but are searching your last known position. Red means the chase is technically lost but you're still inside an active heat zone.
It's differently hard. GTA V rewarded breaking line of sight and waiting out a timer. GTA 6 rewards actively destroying evidence — changing clothes, switching vehicles, avoiding CCTV — which takes more planning but also gives you more tools.