GTA 5 Endings Explained: A, B, C and the Best Choice

The best GTA 5 ending is Ending C: Deathwish, whose final mission is The Third Way. Franklin refuses to kill either of his friends, Michael and Trevor both survive, all three protagonists remain playable, and the group eliminates its major enemies. It is the safest choice for a first playthrough, post-game completion, money management and unfinished achievements or trophies.

When do you choose the GTA 5 ending?

The final decision becomes available after The Big Score. The game has already established both threats by this point:

• After Lamar Down, Steve Haines and Dave Norton tell Franklin to kill Trevor.
• After The Big Score, Devin Weston visits Franklin at his Vinewood Hills home and orders him to kill Michael.
• Once Devin leaves, Franklin's phone presents three choices: A: Kill Trevor, B: Kill Michael and C: Deathwish.

The letter selected on Franklin's phone determines the final mission and the permanent post-game state of that save. It does not change the approach or crew already used for The Big Score.

All three GTA 5 endings compared

Ending A: kill Trevor - Something Sensible

• Phone choice: A: Kill Trevor
• Final mission: Something Sensible
• Playable character: Franklin
• Outcome: Trevor dies; Franklin and Michael survive

Franklin accepts the FIB's demand to remove Trevor. He calls Trevor and asks to meet somewhere quiet, then contacts Michael for help. Trevor chooses an empty lot in El Burro Heights, initially believing that Franklin wants to repair the group's relationship. When Franklin draws a gun, Trevor realizes that he has been betrayed and escapes in his Bodhi.

Something Sensible walkthrough

1. Drive to the meeting point in El Burro Heights. The confrontation begins when Franklin reaches Trevor in the empty lot.
2. Chase Trevor. Follow the Bodhi across Los Santos toward Murrieta Oil Field. This pursuit is scripted: Trevor cannot be caught, killed or forced off the road early, so do not waste ammunition.
3. Use Franklin's ability when necessary. His driving focus helps on fast turns, but there is no bonus for overtaking Trevor or completing a damage-free chase.
4. Reach the oil field. Michael arrives and rams Trevor's truck into a fuel tanker. Trevor falls from the wreck covered in gasoline.
5. Finish the mission. Shoot Trevor or the spilled fuel to ignite it. If Franklin waits, Michael eventually fires instead. The scene ends with Trevor's death.

Ending A consequences

• Trevor is permanently removed from the character wheel in the saved game.
• Trevor's remaining Strangers & Freaks, activities, personal funds, vehicles and property-related content can no longer be accessed through him.
• Michael and Franklin remain playable. Michael later sends a message saying that he still considers Franklin a friend, although their normal hangouts are unavailable or behave inconsistently after the betrayal.
• Trevor's unpaid share of The Big Score is divided between Michael and Franklin. The exact amounts still depend on the heist approach, crew cuts and losses.
• Steve Haines and Devin Weston remain alive, as do Stretch and Wei Cheng.
• This ending is incompatible with GTA Online's later story continuity, in which Trevor remains alive.

Something Sensible Gold Medal

In narrative terms, Ending A is Franklin choosing self-preservation through betrayal. Michael's final lesson that survival is winning resolves the mission's title, but the result deliberately echoes the treachery that has shaped Michael and Trevor's history.

Ending B: kill Michael - The Time's Come

• Phone choice: B: Kill Michael
• Final mission: The Time's Come
• Playable character: Franklin
• Outcome: Michael dies; Franklin and Trevor survive

Franklin obeys Devin Weston's order and asks Michael to meet near the satellite dishes off Route 68. On the way, he calls Trevor and requests help, but Trevor refuses to participate in another betrayal. Michael receives good news about Tracey just before he understands why Franklin has brought him there, making the confrontation especially bitter.

The Time's Come walkthrough

1. Meet Michael near the satellite dishes. The scene takes place near RON Alternates Wind Farm in the Grand Senora Desert.
2. Chase Michael's car. Follow him along dirt roads and railway tracks toward Palmer-Taylor Power Station. As with Ending A, the chase is scripted and his vehicle cannot be destroyed early.
3. Pursue Michael on foot. Climb through the power station and up its walkways. When Michael stops to shoot, return fire or move closer to force him onward; he cannot be killed before the final scene.
4. Reach the smokestack walkway. Franklin and Michael fight, and Michael is left hanging from the edge.
5. Choose Drop Michael or Pull Michael Up. Both prompts lead to the same outcome. If Franklin tries to save him, Michael headbutts Franklin and loses his grip anyway.

Ending B consequences

• Michael is permanently removed from the character wheel in the saved game.
• Michael's remaining activities, personal funds, vehicles, property-related content and character-specific side missions can no longer be accessed through him.
• Trevor remains alive but cuts ties with Franklin and refuses to socialize with him.
• Michael's unpaid share of The Big Score is sent to his family rather than transferred to Franklin or Trevor.
• Devin Weston survives despite ordering the murder. Steve Haines, Stretch and Wei Cheng also survive.
• This ending is incompatible with GTA Online's later continuity, which now includes Michael alive years after the Union Depository robbery.

The Time's Come Gold Medal

Ending B reverses the mentor-student relationship at the center of Franklin and Michael's story. Franklin surpasses the man who introduced him to large-scale crime, but does so by repeating Michael's pattern of sacrificing an ally to protect himself.

Ending C: Deathwish - The Third Way

• Phone choice: C: Deathwish
• Final mission: The Third Way
• Playable characters: Franklin, Michael and Trevor
• Outcome: all three protagonists survive

Deathwish does not mean that Franklin dies. Franklin rejects the false choice between Michael and Trevor and takes the problem to Lester. They devise a third plan: draw the FIB and Merryweather into the same trap, survive the assault and then eliminate the enemies who can still threaten the group.

The Third Way walkthrough: foundry ambush

1. Visit Lester. Franklin explains the demands made by Haines and Devin. Lester proposes leaking a story that the crew is melting the Union Depository gold at Grand Banks Steel Foundry.
2. Pick up Lamar. Collect him from his home and drive to the foundry between Cypress Flats and Murrieta Heights.
3. Enter the foundry. Lamar remains outside while Franklin joins Michael and Trevor. Take position and begin the ambush when ready.
4. Fight the FIB and Merryweather. Use cover and switch among the three protagonists when prompted. Michael's ability is ideal for accurate headshots; Trevor's is useful against close groups.
5. Help Lamar outside. Switch to Franklin and clear the attackers threatening him.
6. Rescue Trevor. Switch to Michael, reach Trevor's position and eliminate the teams inside the foundry.
7. Clear the exterior. Rejoin Franklin and Lamar, defeat the remaining forces and gather outside the main doors.

The Third Way walkthrough: eliminate the three targets

After the foundry battle, Lester locates three enemies. The hits can be completed in any order, and the game assigns a fixed protagonist to each target.

1. As Michael, kill Stretch. Approach the Ballas at B.J. Smith Recreation Center. For the Gold Medal, use Michael's fists or equip a melee weapon and make sure he personally kills Stretch with it before escaping or clearing the remaining Ballas.
2. As Trevor, kill Steve Haines. Keep your distance from Del Perro Pier and use a sniper rifle to identify Haines in a Ferris wheel gondola. Land a headshot, then lose the Wanted Level.
3. As Franklin, kill Wei Cheng. Approach Pacific Bluffs Country Club with Sticky Bombs equipped. Attach one to Cheng's vehicle or place it in the convoy's path and detonate it while he is within the blast.

The Third Way walkthrough: kidnap Devin Weston

1. Go to Devin's mansion as Trevor. The property is in Tongva Hills and is protected by Merryweather guards.
2. Clear the grounds. Use cover around the outer wall and landscaping. Trevor's special ability provides an emergency advantage if the guards surround him.
3. Find Devin beside the pool. He is hiding inside a large wicker chest. Trevor knocks him out and locks him in the trunk of Devin's Tornado.
4. Drive to Paleto Cove. Follow the route to the cliffside meeting point off Great Ocean Highway.
5. Finish Devin. Michael, Franklin and Trevor confront him together, then push the car over the cliff with Devin inside. The credits begin after the final conversation.

The Third Way consequences

• Franklin, Michael and Trevor survive and remain playable in free roam.
• Their money, properties, vehicles and unfinished character-specific activities remain accessible.
• Lamar survives the foundry battle.
• Stretch, Wei Cheng, Steve Haines and Devin Weston are killed.
• Dave Norton survives. Donald Percival benefits from Devin's loss of influence and does not order further retaliation against the protagonists.
• The three protagonists remain friends, although Michael and Trevor's relationship is still volatile and they agree to stop working together as a regular crew.
• Trevor can continue into the optional Mrs. Philips and Damaged Goods encounters.

The Third Way Gold Medal objectives

Best strategy for The Third Way Gold Medal

• Skip all cutscenes when attempting the time objective.
• After the foundry, use the order Michael, Trevor, Franklin to reduce travel time.
• Use Michael's slow-motion shooting ability for the 20 headshots and 70% accuracy objectives.
• Fire deliberate single shots. Missed automatic fire lowers accuracy quickly.
• Switch protagonists promptly whenever someone needs help or has a better angle.
• Prepare the required weapon before each hit: melee for Stretch, sniper rifle for Haines and Sticky Bombs for Cheng.
• Arrive at Devin's mansion with armor and use Trevor's ability if the final group of guards breaks through your cover.

As a story ending, The Third Way completes Franklin's growth without forcing him to reproduce Michael's betrayals. He creates his own solution, the three protagonists accept the consequences of their alliance, and the external figures manipulating them are removed.

Which GTA 5 ending is best?

Ending C is the best choice for almost every player. It is the only finale that preserves all three protagonists, all three pools of money and the largest amount of post-game content. It also provides the longest and most mechanically varied final mission, resolves the major enemy storylines and matches later GTA Online continuity.

Endings A and B are still worth seeing for their performances, themes and unique Gold Medals. They work best through Mission Replay or from separate pre-choice saves rather than as the permanent result of a completion-focused playthrough.

Which GTA 5 ending is canon?

GTA Online's later continuity effectively treats Ending C, The Third Way, as the canonical outcome. Rockstar has not published a separate statement formally declaring one finale canon, but later stories leave little room for another answer:

• GTA Online content set after the Story Mode timeline continues to refer to Trevor as alive, ruling out Ending A.
• Franklin returns years after the Union Depository robbery in The Contract.
• Michael appears alive with Amanda in the 2025 A Safehouse in the Hills storyline, ruling out Ending B.
• Tao Cheng later recalls nearly being killed at Pacific Bluffs Country Club, a direct callback to the Cheng attack in The Third Way.

Because A kills Trevor and B kills Michael, C is the only GTA 5 ending compatible with the later survival of both men. The precise formulation is therefore that GTA Online effectively confirms or treats Ending C as canonical, not that the original game's menu labels it the official or true ending.

Can you play all three GTA 5 endings?

Yes. After completing any finale, open:

Pause Menu > Game > Replay Mission

The two endings you did not choose become available alongside the one you completed. This is the easiest way to watch all three final missions and pursue their Gold Medals, but Mission Replay runs them outside the permanent timeline of your save.

How the ending affects 100% completion and trophies

Any of the three endings can satisfy the final Story Mission requirement for GTA 5's formal 100% checklist. Ending C is recommended because it protects access to all three characters, but it is not mandatory for the Career Criminal achievement or trophy.

• You need to complete only one final mission for story completion.
• You do not need to obtain a Gold Medal in the finale for 100%.
• You do not need to choose all three endings.
• Completing any finale unlocks To Live or Die in Los Santos.
• Final-mission Gold Medals can count toward the 70 required for Solid Gold, Baby!.
• The unchosen final missions can be replayed for their medals after the story.

The important distinction is between the in-game 100% checklist and all achievements or trophies. The percentage remains achievable after A or B because the mandatory checklist is designed around content that remains available. However, killing Michael or Trevor can block unfinished character-dependent trophies and activities.

For the exact activities required by the percentage, use our GTA 5 100% Completion Guide and Checklist.

How the endings affect money and properties

No ending provides a fixed bonus of its own. The money received after the credits comes from The Big Score, and the exact amount depends on the heist approach, selected crew, crew percentages and any gold lost during the operation.

Ending C is therefore the best option for financial flexibility, but it is inaccurate to say that C always pays a fixed amount or automatically produces the highest cash figure in every character's account. The final heist setup still determines the base payout.

If you intend to choose A or B, first sell any stock held by the character who will die and finish using that character's money. For a full post-story investment route, see the GTA 5 Stock Market guide. For legitimate cash strategies, use our GTA 5 Story Mode money guide.

Purchased properties are tied to their eligible owner. A property is not reassigned to another protagonist when Michael or Trevor dies; in practical terms, its benefits and owner-specific interactions are no longer available because that character cannot be selected. Compare owners and income in our GTA 5 properties guide.

What to do before choosing the final ending

If you are considering A or B, check the optional content tied to the protagonist who will die. Most of the activities below are not part of the formal 100% checklist, but they can contain unique scenes, property benefits or achievements and trophies.

1. Make a separate manual save. After The Big Score, save before entering the final marker at Franklin's house and keep that slot untouched. Do not overwrite it after the ending.
2. Choose C for the main completion save. This avoids permanent character loss and leaves the widest post-game access.
3. If choosing A, finish Trevor's personal content first. Complete any remaining Bail Bonds, Rampages, Arms Trafficking, property tasks and Trevor-specific trophies you care about.
4. If choosing B, finish Michael's personal content first. Complete the Epsilon Program and any other Michael-only objectives you want to keep accessible.
5. Complete Three Man Army before A or B. It requires Franklin, Michael and Trevor to be available together.
6. Check investments. Sell holdings belonging to any protagonist you plan to kill, because that character's portfolio will no longer be accessible afterward.
7. Do not delay C out of fear that Deathwish kills Franklin. It is the route in which all three protagonists survive.
8. Use Mission Replay for the other finales. This preserves the post-game state of your main Ending C save while letting you see A and B.

Are the endings different on PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC, PS3 or Xbox 360?

No. The same three Story Mode choices, final missions and core consequences apply on PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, including PC Legacy and PC Enhanced. Graphics, performance and some broader version features differ, but the campaign ending decision does not.

This guide covers GTA 5 Story Mode. GTA Online does not ask the player to choose A, B or C. Its importance here is narrative: later GTA Online updates continue the lives of Story Mode characters and therefore establish which GTA 5 outcome fits Rockstar's ongoing timeline.

Frequently asked questions about the GTA 5 endings

What is the best ending in GTA 5?

Ending C, Deathwish, is the best overall choice. Michael, Franklin and Trevor survive, all three remain playable and the crew eliminates its major enemies. It also preserves the most post-game content.

Does Franklin die if you choose Deathwish?

No. The label sounds dangerous, but Franklin survives The Third Way alongside Michael and Trevor.

Can you save both Michael and Trevor?

Yes. Select C: Deathwish. It is the only choice in which both men survive.

Can you save Michael after choosing Ending B?

No. The final Pull Michael Up prompt does not save him. Both prompts end with Michael falling to his death.

Can Trevor survive Ending A?

No. Once Something Sensible begins, the mission always ends with Trevor's death. Load a pre-choice save and select B or C if you want him alive in free roam.

Can you change the ending after completing the game?

Mission Replay lets you play the other finales but does not alter the saved post-game world. To change the permanent ending, load a manual save made before Franklin's choice and complete a different final mission. If you no longer have an earlier save, the normal alternative is to begin a new game; GTA 5 has no New Game+ mode.

Do you need all three endings for 100%?

No. Any one of the three counts as the final required Story Mission entry. Ending C is simply the safest option for completing unfinished character-dependent content afterward.

Which ending gives the most money?

None pays a fixed standalone bonus. Ending C is the best for keeping access to money because all three protagonists retain their own The Big Score shares and remain available for investments. The heist approach and crew determine the actual payout.

Is Ending C canon?

Effectively, yes. Later GTA Online continuity shows both Trevor and Michael alive, which rules out A and B. Rockstar has not issued a separate announcement using the exact phrase "Ending C is canon," so it is best described as the only ending consistent with the later storyline.

What happens after the credits?

The game returns to free roam. The surviving protagonists receive their The Big Score payouts and can continue available side activities. The exact playable roster and relationships depend on the ending selected.

Related GTA 5 guides

• GTA 5 guide: cheats, completion, collectibles and more
• GTA 5 100% Completion Guide and Checklist
• GTA 5 Story Mode money guide
• GTA 5 Stock Market guide
• GTA 5 properties: prices, owners and income