For a long time, the idea of running Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) natively on an Android phone felt like something we would only ever dream about. Rockstar did give us classics like San Andreas and Vice City on mobile yet GTA 5 stubbornly stayed locked to PCs and consoles. That is until now.
Thanks to major breakthroughs in Windows emulation on Android, you no longer need cloud gaming or blazing-fast Wi-Fi to wander around Los Santos. You can actually run the official PC version of GTA 5 directly on your phone fully offline and surprisingly well.
Below, I break down the two best methods to make this happen in 2025. Winlator gives you deep control and far better tweaking options while GameHub offers a smoother, almost plug-and-play setup.
⚠️ Before You Start: Know the Requirements
Let’s set expectations straight. GTA 5 is not a lightweight title. To hit anything close to 30–60 FPS you will need hardware that can keep up.
Minimum and recommended specs:
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or better works best. Gen 1 or 888 can run it with lower settings. MediaTek and Exynos often struggle because of driver limitations.
RAM: At least 8GB though 12GB+ makes a noticeable difference.
Storage: ~120GB free. The game itself takes roughly 110GB.
Game Files: You must own the PC version of GTA 5 and transfer your legal files to your phone.
Method 1: Winlator — The Power User’s Favorite
Winlator is considered the gold standard right now for running Windows games on Android. It uses Wine and Box64 to translate PC instructions for your chipset and it gives you tons of control.
Step 1: Install Winlator
Visit the official Winlator page.
Download the latest APK (version 7.0 or newer).
Install it normally on your phone.
Step 2: Create and Configure a Container
Open Winlator then allow file permissions.
Tap the + icon to make a new container.
Use these GTA 5–optimized settings:
Screen Size: 1280x720. 720p hits a sweet spot between visuals and performance.
Graphics Driver: Turnip (Zink). Crucial for Snapdragon.
DX Wrapper: DXVK 2.2 or newer.
Show FPS: Turn this on to track performance.
Save your config.
Step 3: Transfer the Game and Launch It
Copy your full GTA 5 installation folder from your PC into your phone’s Download directory.
Start your Winlator container. You’ll get a Windows-like desktop view.
Go to the D: drive. That’s where your Downloads are mapped.
Find GTA5.exe or PlayGTAV.exe then double-tap to launch.
Pro Tip: If the game refuses to start or crashes try switching the Box64 preset from Performance to Stability. That single toggle fixes launch issues for many people.
Method 2: GameHub — The User-Friendly Option
GameHub (often called the GameSir or EggNS sibling) has blown up recently because it makes PC game emulation feel effortless. It usually comes with pre-configured settings so you spend less time tweaking and more time playing.
Step 1: Install GameHub
Download version 5.0 or above. You’ll typically find it on the GameSir site or reputable third-party repositories.
Install the app then give it file access permissions.
Step 2: Add Your GTA 5 Folder
GameHub can auto-scan for executables or you can add a game manually.
Make sure your GTA 5 folder is stored internally.
Open GameHub then switch to Emu or PC Mode.
Tap Add Game.
Navigate to the GTA 5 directory and select GTA5.exe.
Step 3: Tweak Settings
GameHub usually picks good defaults but double-check these:
Resolution: Set to 0.75x or 1x (basically 720p).
Control Mode: Turn on X-Input. This makes GTA 5 think you’re using an Xbox controller which it supports natively.
Performance Tips and Troubleshooting
Even strong phones can struggle here and there so don’t panic if you hit a few bumps.
Shader Compilation: Expect heavy stutters during your first 5–10 minutes of gameplay. This is normal. The emulator is compiling shaders and performance improves dramatically afterward.
Thermal Throttling: Phones heat up fast during emulation and heat kills FPS. A phone cooler can make a huge difference.
Audio Issues: If Winlator crackles or pops open your container settings then switch the audio driver to PulseAudio.
Final Thoughts
Playing the full PC version of GTA 5 offline on an Android device is no longer some impossible fantasy. With the right hardware and a little patience you can cruise through Los Santos right from your phone.
Pick Winlator if you enjoy fine-tuning every detail or want mod support.
Go with GameHub if you want an easy setup and better out-of-the-box touch controls.
If you’ve managed to get it running I’d love to hear about your phone model and the
FPS you’re getting.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational use. Please only use legally owned game files. I do not endorse piracy.