It’s been over a decade since we first saw Michael De Santa face down a therapist, yet people are still obsessing over how to finish all the missions in GTA 5. Why? Because Rockstar Games didn't just build a map; they built a massive, messy, 69-mission gauntlet that forces you to switch between a retired thief, a street hustler, and a literal psychopath. Most players think they’ve seen it all after the credits roll, but the "Gold Medal" hunters and the 100% completionists know the truth. The main story is just the skeleton.
If you're staring at your map wondering why that "M" or "T" won't pop up, you're likely caught in the tangled web of character triggers. GTA 5 isn't linear. It’s a sandbox that occasionally locks its own doors.
The Core Loop: Understanding the 69 Main Story Missions
Let's be real. The meat of the game is the 69 main story missions. That number is iconic for a reason, knowing Rockstar’s sense of humor. You start with "Prologue," a snowy shootout in Ludendorff that sets the stage for everything. From there, the game pulls a bait-and-switch. You aren't playing a grand heist movie yet; you’re repossessing cars as Franklin in "Franklin and Lamar."
The pacing is deliberate.
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The game wants you to feel the boredom of Franklin’s life before it throws you into the high-stakes chaos of "The Jewel Store Job." This is the first turning point. It’s where the "Heist" mechanic introduces itself, forcing you to choose between the "Loud" or "Smart" approach. Honestly, the smart approach is usually better for your payout, but the loud one is way more fun if you just want to shoot things.
The Trevor Phillips Factor
Everything changes when Trevor enters the fray in "Mr. Philips." Up until this point, the game feels like a gritty crime drama. Then, Trevor kills a protagonist from a previous GTA expansion and suddenly you're in a dark comedy. His missions, like "Crystal Maze" or "Friends Reunited," are designed to be chaotic. They break the rules of the previous missions.
You’re no longer just driving from point A to point B. You’re flying planes under bridges or driving ATVs out of cargo holds. It’s jarring. It’s meant to be.
Why Some Missions Simply Don't Appear
This is the biggest headache for anyone trying to track all the missions in GTA 5. You’ve finished a mission, you’re driving around, and... nothing. No icons. No phone calls.
Usually, it’s because of the Strangers and Freaks. While technically separate from the "69," some missions are gated behind side content. For example, you might need to call a specific contact or wait for an in-game text that only triggers during certain hours. Or, more likely, you've forgotten to do a "Heist Setup."
Take "The Merryweather Heist." You can’t just start the heist. You have to go steal a submarine first. Then you might need to find a getaway vehicle and park it in a discreet location. If you don't get that "Getaway vehicle ready" prompt, the main mission icon will never show up on your radar. It’s a frequent point of frustration for players who just want to keep the momentum going.
The Infamous "Did Somebody Say Yoga?"
We have to talk about it. It’s one of the most polarizing missions in the entire franchise. Michael’s mid-life crisis reaches a peak where you, the player, have to hold thumbsticks in awkward positions to perform yoga poses. It’s slow. It’s clunky. But it’s essential. It serves a narrative purpose, showing the total disintegration of Michael’s family life before the final act kicks in.
If you're aiming for a speedrun, this is your nightmare. If you're playing for the story, it's a brilliant, if annoying, bit of character work.
Breaking Down the Heists
The heists are the pillars of the game. They are what most people remember when they think about the story. There are six major heists:
- The Jewel Store Job: The training wheels heist.
- The Merryweather Heist: Great set piece, zero payout (Michael and Franklin are rightfully pissed).
- The Blitz Play: A classic cinematic robbery inspired by the movie Heat.
- The Paleto Score: This is where things get ridiculous. You're in heavy juggernaut armor with miniguns fighting off a small army.
- The Bureau Raid: You're either rappelling down a skyscraper or infiltrating as a janitor.
- The Big Score: The finale. $200 million.
The choices you make in these missions—who you hire for your crew—actually matter for your final take. If you pick a cheap gunman, they might crash their bike and die, losing a chunk of the money. If you pick an expensive expert, they take a bigger cut but ensure the job goes smoothly. Expert players know that you should pick the "bad" crew members early on so they level up their stats without charging the high fees of the veterans later in the game. It’s a meta-strategy that makes the later missions significantly more profitable.
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The 100% Checklist: Beyond the Story
Completing all the missions in GTA 5 for a 100% save file is a different beast entirely. The game tracks 100 "items," but they aren't all the missions.
- 20 Strangers and Freaks: Only certain ones count toward the 100%, like the Tonya towing missions or the Beverly paparazzi missions.
- 42 Hobbies and Pastimes: You have to win at darts, get a birdie in golf, and finish all the street races.
- 14 Random Events: These are the blips that happen while you're driving, like a mugging or a hitchhiker.
- 16 Miscellaneous Tasks: This includes collecting spaceship parts and letter scraps.
It is a grind. A massive, sun-soaked, violent grind.
The "Third Option" Dilemma
As you approach the end, you're faced with "The Third Way." Without spoiling the specifics for the three people who haven't played this yet, you are given a choice. This choice determines the final mission.
Option A and B are short, depressing, and honestly, a bit of a letdown. Option C, "The Third Way," is the "true" ending. it involves a massive shootout where all three protagonists team up to tie up every loose end they've made throughout the game. It’s the longest of the final missions and the only one that feels like a satisfying conclusion to the character arcs. If you want to keep playing with all three characters after the game ends, you must choose the third option.
Common Roadblocks and Glitches
Even in 2026, with all the patches and "Expanded and Enhanced" versions, GTA 5 can still be buggy. Sometimes a mission won't trigger because the game thinks you're still in a "busy" state.
Try switching characters. Frequently, a mission is locked to one person, but the game doesn't tell you who. Switch to Franklin, wait a minute. Switch to Trevor. Usually, you’ll get a phone call within seconds of switching.
Another tip: check your emails. Some missions, particularly the ones involving Maude's bail bonds or the Epsilon Program, are entirely triggered through the in-game internet or email system. If you aren't checking your virtual phone, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of content.
Mastery and Gold Medals
Finishing a mission is one thing. Getting a Gold Medal is another. Each mission has sub-objectives: "Headshots: 20," "Time: Under 10:00," "Accuracy: 80%."
You don't have to do these all at once. You can replay any mission from the "Game" tab in the pause menu. This is actually the best way to do it. Play the mission once to enjoy the story, then go back later with your maxed-out stats and better weapons to sweep up the Gold Medals.
Moving Forward With Your Save File
Once you’ve cleared the map and the credits have rolled, the world of Los Santos stays open. Most players transition into GTA Online at this point, but there’s still plenty to do in single-player.
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Actionable Steps for Completionists:
- Check the Rockstar Social Club: Link your account to see a literal checklist of every mission, stunt jump, and collectible you have left. It’s the only way to be 100% sure you haven't missed a tiny interaction in the desert.
- Invest the Heist Money Wisely: Don't spend your "Big Score" payout immediately. Wait until you finish the Lester Assassination missions. If you play the stock market correctly during these missions, you can turn your millions into billions, making the "purchase all properties" requirement a breeze.
- Target the Strangers and Freaks: Focus on Franklin’s "The Last One" mission, which only unlocks after 100% completion. It’s the final "secret" mission of the game and provides a weirdly fitting end to the hunt.
- The Epsilon Program: If you’re playing as Michael, look for the "Seek the Truth" website on the in-game phone. It starts a massive, multi-part mission chain that is easily the funniest and most frustrating side-quest in the game.
Getting through everything the game has to offer is less about skill and more about persistence. Los Santos is huge, and the mission structure is designed to keep you distracted. Stay focused on the character icons, manage your saves, and always, always keep a backup save before starting a heist.