Guide

How to play GTA San Andreas online on PC

GTA San Andreas has no online mode of its own. You play it online with a free multiplayer mod: Multi Theft Auto, or MTA:SA. You install MTA next to your game and join CIT. Here is how, step by step.

1. The game you need

MTA:SA runs on the classic PC version of GTA San Andreas from 2004 and 2005. Steam and Rockstar Store copies work: the MTA installer adjusts them by itself. The Definitive Edition (2021) and the Windows App Store version do not work with MTA. The MTA wiki names one copy still on sale that works: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (the 2005 collection) on the Rockstar Store.

Keep the game folder clean: single-player mods can make MTA crash. Details: Which GTA San Andreas works with MTA.

2. Install MTA:SA

1. Get the installer from multitheftauto.com. MTA's own help site gives one installer for Windows 10 and 11 and a separate one for Windows 7 and 8.
2. Run it and install MTA in its own folder, not inside the GTA folder.
3. Point it at your GTA San Andreas folder if it asks.
4. Open MTA San Andreas from the Start menu.

MTA is free and open source. If it does not start, the MTA & CIT Fix tool reads MTA's log and tells you what to do, and there are guides for MTA not starting, low FPS and a mouse that does not turn the camera.

3. Join CIT

CIT (Cops and Robbers) is an MTA:SA server running since December 2010: police against criminals and gangsters, turf wars, civilian jobs, houses, groups and events. To join, open MTA and connect to mtasa://94.23.158.180:22003, or press the button:

Play on CIT

New players start with $150,000 in cash, $5,000 in the bank and a starter package. When you arrive, choose a side: F3 for civilian jobs, /criminal to become a criminal, /gangster for gangsters, or the blue law job marker at LSPD or SFPD for police. F11 is the map, /gps finds places, B is the CITPhone and /sup asks for help. The CIT Wiki and the CIT Tools explain the rest.

Questions

Is it free?

MTA:SA is free and open source. You only need your own copy of GTA San Andreas.

Does it work on Windows 11?

Yes. MTA's help site has an installer for Windows 10 and 11.

Can I use the Definitive Edition?

No. MTA only works with the classic PC game.

Do I need to download anything to join CIT?

CIT sends what it needs when you join. You may also be asked to download an update, which brings bug fixes.