How to Play Grand Theft Auto IV Online

Last Updated: May 12, 2023

Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA 4) is an action/sandbox video game that can be played on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC. Beginners often have trouble figuring out how to play GTA 4 online since it is not fully introduced to you at the beginning of the game.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding the Multiplayer Mode

Download Article

1
After the beginning cutscene, or at any point in the game, press up on the directional buttons.
- A phone should come up in the bottom-right corner of your screen. If it doesn't, make sure you're not in a cutscene or speaking with anyone.
- When the phone comes up, press A (Xbox 360), X (PS3) or the Up Arrow key (PC).
- This should bring you to a menu on the phone. If you have just passed the beginning cutscene, the only option available to you will be multi-player. Otherwise, just scroll down. Click on Multiplayer.
- Now, you will be presented with a few options. Click Tutorial if you want a tutorial on multi-player matches, click Ranked if you want an aggressive ranked match, which will build up to your rank, or click on Player Match if you want a friendly match, perfect for beginners.
- If you clicked Ranked or Player Match, you will be presented with the following options...

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Online Game Selections

Download Article

1
Choose from the following games to play GTA 4 online.
- Player Match: challenge other GTA 4 players in any multiplayer mode.
- Ranked Match: increase your ranking by winning against other ranked players.
- Party Mode: great for creating havoc on the streets by inviting many players armed with weapons.
- Team Deathmatch: try to collect as much money as possible from members of the opposing team.
- Team Mafia Work: complete contract jobs for the mafia.
- Team Car Jack City: steal cars and deliver them at the drop-off point to receive cash when you play this GTA 4 game.
- Cops n' Crooks: protect your boss against the police and get him to the safe location.
- Turf War: fight to capture bases and gain territory.
- Deal Breaker: ruin deals by killing the attendants and witnesses while stealing the goods.
- Hangman's Noose: escort your boss Petrovic to safety as a mafia member in Grand Theft Auto.
- Bomb Da Base: You must first steal a bomb-laden vehicle, then attempt to plant bombs on a cargo ship as you battle against the criminals on that ship.
- Race: race against other players in cars, boats and helicopters to get to the finish line.
- GTA Race: add combat elements to the Race game.
- Free Mode: Similar to Party Mode, you are free to explore the map, with weapons and vehicles available.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

GTA 4 Online Mode Features

Download Article

1
Keep the following features in mind when you are playing GTA 4 online.
- You can choose from 15 game modes in total. They are organized under 3 main categories (Party Mode, Player Match and Ranked). Each game mode offers different missions.
- Each game mode is configured by the host. Configurations include the types of vehicles, traffic amount, pedestrian count, weaponry and weather conditions within the game.
- You cannot have more than 16 players within a single online game.
- Online games are selected at random by either adding you onto an existing game or creating a new online game for you.
- In Deathmatch, you will win $100 when you kill another player and lose $100 if you kill yourself.
- The more money you earn by completing multi-player matches, the higher you rank. Higher ranks will unlock clothing for your character.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What should I download for this?

Community Answer

Get GTA IV. And patch 1.0.4.0 or above and social club. A patch 1.0.6.0 and above does not require social club.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 28
Question

How do I use a phone to call numbers?

Community Answer

After a certain point in the story, you will be able to use the dialpad by pressing up on the phone to bring it up. Tthen press up again to bring up the dialpad.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 13
Question

How do I play online for PC? It doesn't work when I try to.

Community Answer

If you want to play on PC, just press the up arrow on keyboard get out the phone, then find multiplayer.(If it doesn't work, you're not connected to your Microsoft account).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 25

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Play Grand Theft Auto IV Online

Steps

Finding the Multiplayer Mode

Online Game Selections

GTA 4 Online Mode Features

Community Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories