Rockstar has clarified the region-locking rules for physical "code-in-the-box" pre-order copies of Grand Theft Auto 6, addressing confusion that arose when retailers gave conflicting information about which download codes would work where. The clarification matters because buyers risk being unable to redeem their code if they purchase a copy from a mismatched region, though the restriction only applies to PS5, not Xbox.

Rockstar's updated support page confirms the redemption limits apply solely to PS5 due to PlayStation Network account restrictions, while Xbox codes work regardless of account region. Players are advised to buy a copy matching their platform account's country, and a list of regional groupings (such as North America, LATAM, UK, and "Rest of EMEA and Asia") shows exactly which codes work where. A separate issue affects Japan, where physical codes expire 170 days after printing under local regulations, meaning a code printed on the 19th November launch date would need redeeming by 8th May 2027.