Last Updated: June 20, 2026
Quick Answer
GTA 5 has two wanted level cheats: one lowers your stars (R1, R1, CIRCLE, R2, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT on PlayStation), the other raises them. Both work instantly on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Neither disables achievements permanently, but you can't earn them while wanted levels are active.
Table of Contents
- Wanted Level Cheat Codes — All Platforms
- How to Activate Wanted Level Cheats
- Lower Wanted Level — Detailed Breakdown
- Raise Wanted Level — Detailed Breakdown
- Best Cheat Combos with Wanted Levels
- Warnings & Side Effects
- FAQ
GTA 5 Wanted Level Cheat Codes — All Platforms
| Cheat Name | PS5 / PS4 Input | Xbox Series X / One Input | PC Keyboard | Cell Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Wanted Level | R1, R1, CIRCLE, R2, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT | RB, RB, B, RT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT | LAWYERUP | 1-999-5299-3787 |
| Raise Wanted Level | R1, R1, CIRCLE, R2, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT | RB, RB, B, RT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT | FUGITIVE | 1-999-3844-8483 |
How to Activate Wanted Level Cheats
These cheats work differently depending on your platform. Here's the fastest method for each.
PlayStation 5 & PlayStation 4
Enter the button sequence during gameplay — don't pause. You'll see a confirmation message in the bottom-left corner when the cheat activates. The sequence is directional pad + face buttons + shoulder buttons in a specific order.
Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One
Same process as PlayStation. Input the button combo while playing (not in the pause menu). Confirmation appears immediately when you nail the sequence.
PC Keyboard Method
Press the tilde key (~) to open the console command window. Type LAWYERUP or FUGITIVE and hit Enter. The cheat activates instantly — no confirmation box needed, but you'll see your wanted stars change.
Cell Phone Method (All Platforms)
Pull up your in-game phone (UP on d-pad), go to Contacts, and dial the number. This method is slower but works if you keep forgetting the button sequences. I use it for the Lower Wanted Level cheat since I'm usually panicking when cops are chasing me.
Lower Wanted Level — Detailed Breakdown
Fun Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the cheat you'll use most often. It drops your wanted level by one star each time you activate it. Got 5 stars and half the LSPD shooting at you? Spam this code five times and you're clear.
The button sequence is almost identical to the Raise Wanted Level cheat — the only difference is the fourth input. For Lower, it's R2 then RIGHT. For Raise, it's R2 then LEFT. I've mixed these up more times than I can count, especially during high-speed chases.
Side Effects & Limitations
Here's what most sites don't mention: this cheat doesn't make cops forget about you instantly. If you're at 4 stars and drop to 3, the helicopters already chasing you will continue the pursuit. You need to break line of sight or drop all the way to zero stars.
It also won't stop certain mission-related wanted levels. Some story missions lock your stars until you complete specific objectives. The cheat simply won't activate in those scenarios.
Achievements and trophies remain enabled as long as you're not actively wanted. Once your stars disappear, you're good to unlock achievements again.
When to Use It
I use this cheat after testing explosive weapons in populated areas or when I accidentally punch someone in front of a cop. It's also essential for setting up clean screenshots without flashing wanted stars ruining the shot.
Raise Wanted Level — Detailed Breakdown
Fun Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This cheat adds one star to your wanted level each time you activate it. Spam it five times and you'll have the full military response — tanks, helicopters, roadblocks, the works.
Why would you voluntarily attract cops? Because controlled chaos is what GTA 5 is all about. I use this cheat to test combat builds, practice evasion techniques, or just create cinematic chase sequences.
The Military Response (5 Stars)
Getting to 5 stars naturally takes effort — you need to cause serious destruction or invade Fort Zancudo. This cheat lets you skip straight to the fun part. FIB agents in black SUVs, police choppers with snipers, and occasionally tanks rolling through the streets.
Combine this with the Invincibility cheat and you've got the perfect chaos sandbox. Stand on top of Maze Bank Tower with a rocket launcher and see how long you can hold out.
Side Effects
Same deal as the Lower cheat — achievements are disabled while you have active wanted stars. The moment you clear them (either naturally or with the Lower cheat), achievements re-enable.
One weird quirk: if you raise your wanted level while inside certain interiors like your apartment or Lester's factory, cops will spawn inside with you. It's hilarious and terrifying.
Best Cheat Combos with Wanted Level Cheats
Wanted level cheats are the foundation of GTA 5's best chaos scenarios. Here are my go-to combinations.
The Tank Stand
Cheats needed: Raise Wanted Level (5 times) + Invincibility + Give Weapons
Get 5 stars, activate god mode, and hold your ground in a tight urban area like the Vespucci Beach boardwalk. The confined space forces cops and military into close-quarters combat. Use explosives and watch the carnage pile up.
The Clean Getaway Test
Cheats needed: Raise Wanted Level (3-4 times) + Spawn Vehicle (your choice)
Raise your stars to 3 or 4, spawn a fast car or helicopter, and try to escape without any combat cheats. This is genuinely challenging and tests your driving skills. I do this to practice for GTA Online missions where you can't cheat your way out.
The Rampage Reset
Cheats needed: Explosive Bullets + Raise Wanted Level + Lower Wanted Level
Go on a destruction spree with explosive rounds, raise your wanted level manually to 5 stars, cause maximum chaos, then spam the Lower cheat to vanish before the military overwhelms you. Reset and repeat. Never gets old.
The Skyfall Escape
Cheats needed: Raise Wanted Level + Skyfall + Give Parachute
Get 4-5 stars, activate Skyfall (you spawn high in the sky and fall), deploy your parachute, and try to land somewhere the cops lose you. The aerial perspective of the entire LSPD hunting you is incredible.
Warnings & Side Effects You Need to Know
Both wanted level cheats are among the safest in GTA 5, but there are still things to watch out for.
Achievement lockout is temporary. As soon as your wanted stars disappear, achievements re-enable. This is different from cheats like Invincibility, which disable achievements for the entire session until you reload your save.
Online doesn't support cheats. GTA Online has zero tolerance for cheat codes. These button sequences do nothing in multiplayer. Don't waste your time trying — and definitely don't use mods or glitches to manipulate wanted levels online unless you want a ban.
The Lower cheat has a cooldown. You can't spam it infinitely fast. There's about a half-second delay between activations. If you're at 5 stars and trying to drop to zero, it takes roughly 3-4 seconds of rapid inputs.
Some missions override these cheats. Story missions with forced wanted levels (like the jewelry heist getaway) won't respond to either code. The game locks your stars until you complete the objective.
Will These Cheats Work in GTA 6?
GTA 6 releases November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar hasn't confirmed anything about cheat codes yet, but based on franchise history, wanted level manipulation will definitely return in some form. While we wait for the official GTA 6 release, there's been speculation about whether GTA 5 money cheat codes actually exist, which may provide hints about Rockstar's approach to cheats in future titles.
Every GTA game since GTA III has included wanted level cheats. They're core to the sandbox experience. What might change is the input method — GTA 6 could use a phone-only system or even voice commands given the next-gen hardware.
I'll be testing and documenting every GTA 6 cheat code on launch day. Bookmark this site and check back in November for the complete verified database.
FAQ — GTA 5 Wanted Level Cheats
Do wanted level cheats disable achievements permanently?
No. Achievements are only disabled while you have active wanted stars. Once you clear them (either with the Lower cheat or by escaping), achievements re-enable immediately. This is different from god mode cheats, which lock achievements for the entire session.
Can I use wanted level cheats in GTA Online?
No. Cheat codes don't work in GTA Online. The button sequences do nothing in multiplayer. Rockstar disabled all single-player cheats for Online to maintain competitive balance. If you want to manipulate wanted levels in Online, you need to use Lester's services (which cost in-game money) or complete certain missions.
What's the fastest way to get 5 stars with cheats?
Activate the Raise Wanted Level cheat five times in a row. Each activation adds one star. On console, this takes about 15-20 seconds if you're fast with the button sequence. On PC, type FUGITIVE five times in the console command window — much faster, usually under 10 seconds.
Why won't the Lower Wanted Level cheat work during missions?
Certain story missions lock your wanted level until you complete specific objectives. The cheat code activates (you'll see the confirmation), but your stars won't decrease. This is intentional game design to preserve mission difficulty. Once the scripted chase sequence ends, the cheat works normally again.
Do these cheats work on PS5 and Xbox Series X?
Yes. Both wanted level cheats work perfectly on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S running GTA 5 Enhanced Edition. The button inputs are identical to the PS4 and Xbox One versions. Rockstar didn't change any cheat codes for the current-gen release.
