GTA 5’s story lets you play as three criminals, Michael, Franklin and Trevor, and switch between them almost anywhere in the open world. This guide shows how to switch characters in GTA 5 on PS5, PS4, Xbox and PC, why switching is sometimes blocked, and tips for using the switch during missions.
How to switch characters in GTA 5
| Platform | How to open the character wheel | How to choose |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 and PS4 | Hold the D-pad Down button | Push the right stick toward a character and release |
| Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Hold the D-pad Down button | Push the right stick toward a character and release |
| PC | Hold the left Alt key | Move the mouse toward a character and release, or press F5 (Michael), F6 (Franklin), F7 (Trevor) |
The camera zooms out to a satellite view, then drops down to wherever the other character is and whatever they are doing. You will often catch Trevor in strange situations, such as waking up on a beach in his underwear.
When you unlock the character switch
You start the game as Michael in the prologue, then play as Franklin. You unlock switching between Michael and Franklin after the early missions where they meet, and Trevor joins the wheel after his introduction mission, “Mr. Philips”, which follows the heist “The Jewel Store Job”. From then on all three are available unless the story locks one out.
Why can’t I switch characters?
- Wanted level: you cannot switch while the police are chasing you. Lose your wanted level first.
- Story locks: some story events temporarily remove a character from the wheel (a greyed-out portrait).
- During missions: you can only switch at specific moments when the mission allows it, shown by a flashing character portrait.
- Inside certain interiors or minigames: switching is disabled until you leave.
Switching during missions
In heists and many story missions, the game prompts you to switch to the character with the most important job at that moment, for example the sniper or the pilot. A pulsing portrait on the wheel means a switch is available. Switching is optional in many cases but makes missions easier; for example, swap to Trevor for driving or to Franklin to use his special ability to slow time while driving.
Character special abilities
- Michael: slows time during gunfights (bullet time).
- Franklin: slows time while driving for precise handling.
- Trevor: rage mode doubles damage dealt and halves damage taken.
Read more on each character in the wiki: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton and Trevor Philips.
Meet the three characters
How old is Franklin in GTA 5?
Franklin Clinton is 25 years old during the main story of GTA 5. He was born in 1988, which is shown in his profile. He returns in GTA Online’s The Contract update, set years later, where he is older and running his own celebrity consulting business, F. Clinton and Partner, alongside Lamar.
Michael De Santa
Michael is in his mid-forties during the story. Born Michael Townley, he faked his death after a botched robbery in North Yankton and lives in Rockford Hills with his wife Amanda and children Jimmy and Tracey. His special ability is a bullet-time mode for shooting.
Trevor Philips
Trevor is also in his forties, a former military pilot and Michael’s volatile ex-partner. He lives in Sandy Shores and runs Trevor Philips Enterprises. His special ability is a rage mode that increases damage and reduces damage taken.
Franklin’s ability
Franklin’s ability slows time while driving, letting you thread through traffic and make precise turns. It is the most useful ability in races and police chases.
How the switch wheel works on each platform
- PlayStation: hold Down on the D-pad, then pick a character with the right stick.
- Xbox: hold Down on the D-pad, then pick a character with the right stick.
- PC: hold Alt to open the wheel, or press F5, F6 and F7 to switch directly to Michael, Franklin and Trevor.
A red character icon means that character is unavailable, usually because of the story. A character with a mission marker is in the middle of something you can join right away.
What happens when you switch
When you switch, the camera zooms out to the map and back down to the new character, who is in the middle of their own day: driving somewhere, arguing with family or doing something strange. These moments add humor and show that the other characters keep living while you are away. Each character has separate money, vehicles, clothes and properties, so plan purchases with the right character. Stock market investments are shared knowledge but each character invests their own money.
Tips for making the most of three characters
- Use each character’s special ability in situations that suit it: Michael for shootouts, Franklin for driving, Trevor for tough fights.
- Train each character’s stats separately; skills like driving, shooting and flying improve with use.
- Use switching during heists to take the best role for each part of the plan.
- Play the Lester assassination missions with the stock market tips to make all three characters rich.
Switching characters FAQ
Why is a character greyed out on the wheel?
That character is unavailable at this point in the story, usually because of a story event. Keep playing missions to unlock them again.
Can you switch characters during a mission?
Only in missions designed for it, such as heists. The game prompts you when switching is possible.
Do the characters share money?
No. Each character has their own bank balance, vehicles and properties.
How old are Michael and Trevor?
Both are in their forties during the 2013 story, while Franklin is 25.
Can you switch characters in GTA Online?
Not in the same way. GTA Online lets you have up to two characters, and you swap between them from the menu, but there is no story-mode style instant switch.
Unlocking the character switch
At the start of the story you only play as Franklin and then Michael, and switching unlocks once both are introduced. Trevor joins later after his own introduction mission, and from then on the full wheel is available outside missions. If you are early in the story and cannot switch, keep playing the main missions marked with each character’s initial on the map: M for Michael, F for Franklin and T for Trevor.
Fun things to try with each character
- Michael: take up tennis or golf, visit the cinema, or take part in therapy sessions with Dr. Friedlander.
- Franklin: walk Chop around the neighborhood, do street races, and help Lamar with side missions.
- Trevor: run rampages, take on bail bond jobs, and fly arms trafficking missions from his airfield.
Each character also has unique strangers and freaks missions, so switching regularly is the best way to see all of the game’s side content.
Why GTA 5 uses three characters
Rockstar designed GTA 5 around three protagonists so the story could jump between very different lives and play styles, and so heists could feel like a real crew working together. It was a first for the series, and it is one reason GTA 6 returns to multiple leads with Lucia and Jason. Switching keeps the pacing fast: when one storyline slows down, you can jump to another character in the middle of something new.
Ready for more? See our guide to breaking into Fort Zancudo, a perfect job for Trevor.