Alex Ruben
How To Use a 100% Complete GTA 5 Save Game File for Free Roam and Cheats in 2025
Getting tired of grinding through missions just to unlock certain features or access all the cool stuff? Maybe you want to jump straight into the fun — no fuss, no waiting. This guide walks through how to install a fully completed save game in GTA 5, so you can roam around Los Santos with everything unlocked from the get-go. It’s perfect whether your setup’s a low-end rig that struggles with long missions or a high-end beast craving instant access to all the cheats and map goodies. No tricky mods or complicated tools needed, just some file tweaks.
Now, be warned — messing with save files can sometimes cause issues, so always back up your original saves first. And, of course, don’t use these on console versions unless you figure out a special method. But if you’re on PC and just want to skip straight to the fun stuff, this should help. Expect to see all weapons, missions, and map features unlocked without the hours of gameplay.
How to Get That Perfect Save in GTA 5
Ensure the game’s totally closed
Before messing with any save files, double-check that GTA 5 isn’t running. Weird issues pop up if you try copying saves while the game’s still open, so close it properly. On some setups, this step isn’t a big deal—on others, it’s *the* fix when things go sideways.
- Press the Esc key.
- From the menu, pick Quit Game.
Download a complete 100% save game
Time to grab a save that already has everything unlocked. Easy enough if you know where to look:
- Open your favorite browser (like Chrome).
- Search for “GTA 5 100% complete save file.”
- Pick one of the top results, preferably from a reputable source like GTAForums or a trusted modder site—because of course, not all links are safe.
- Download the ZIP or RAR file—be ready to extract it later.
Extract that shiny save file
You’ll probably need to unzip the archive:
- Head to your Downloads folder or wherever it landed.
- Right-click the archive and select Extract Here or Extract to [folder name]. If you don’t have an extraction tool, tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR are good bets.
- Open the extracted folder to see what’s inside — probably a couple of save files or a folder with them.
Copy those save files—don’t skip this step
Once extracted, grab the relevant files:
- Select the
.bakfile and any other save data (likeSGTA50000or similar, depending on source). - Right-click and choose Copy.
Find the GTA 5 save directory
This is where things get interesting. The location depends on your OS version, but generally, it’s in:
- This PC → Local Disk (C:) → Users → your username (find it if you’re unsure via the Start menu).
- In your user folder, click View in the top menu and check Hidden Items so you can see everything.
- Navigate to
AppData→ Roaming. - Look for the Rockstar Games or possibly GTA5 folder — sometimes it’s under Social Club or Goldberg Social Club.
- Underneath that, find the Saves folder.
This path may vary a little depending on how your PC’s set up or if you’ve installed the game elsewhere. On some machines, the save files are tucked away in:
C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas User Files\and in that case, just look there.
Paste the save files and overwrite
Now, just drop in those download files:
- Open the folder where the saves are stored.
- Paste the files from earlier here.
- If prompted to replace existing files, choose Yes. This could be the
SGTA50000or similar file.
Pro tip: keep a backup of your current save folder before overwriting — sometimes things get wonky, and it’s better to be safe.
Fire up GTA 5 with your new save
Start up the game. When you get to the load/save menu:
- Select Story Mode.
- If it asks to overwrite or save to your slot, pick Yes — that’s what’s loaded now.
You should see everything unlocked, all weapons, and maybe even some hidden missions or map icons. Honestly, this part is kind of weird—sometimes the game loads the save instantly, other times you need to restart the game for it to fully recognize the new data. Weirdness is normal here.
Extra tips & common hiccups
- Back up your original save folder before swapping anything — better safe than sorry.
- If GTA 5 doesn’t acknowledge the save or crashes, double-check you put the files in the right folder.
- Make sure your game is patched to the latest version. Sometimes, old save files don’t work with newer updates or vice versa.
- Be aware that using modified save files can sometimes lead to unexpected bugs or glitches, especially if from shady sources.
Wrap-up
This method is a quick way to jump into your game with all the perks unlocked. Not sure why it works, but it’s kind of satisfying to skip the grind. Just remember to double-check file paths and always keep backups. On some setups, it might take a reboot or re-launch, but overall, it’s straightforward once you know where to look.
Summary
- Download a verified complete save file.
- Extract it properly with a tool like 7-Zip.
- Copy the save files into the right GTA 5 save directory, which varies but usually is in AppData or Documents.
- Open GTA 5, choose Story Mode, and load the save.