First check that you launched an edition of GTA Online that supports Hao’s Special Works (HSW). Rockstar’s current notes identify PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GTAV Enhanced on PC. Then identify what is missing: the LS Car Meet upgrade service, Hao’s introductory activity, or the HSW Time Trial. Each has a different explanation.
1. Confirm your platform and game edition
HSW availability depends on the version of GTA Online you are playing. Rockstar’s 2026 update notes identify HSW content on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GTAV Enhanced on PC. See Rockstar’s update notes. If you are on PS4, Xbox One, or PC Legacy, confirm that you have launched an HSW-supported edition before troubleshooting unlocks; the cited current notes do not identify those editions as supported.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
IRIPLEZO Grand Theft Auto V | $24.32 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Grand Theft Auto V (PS4) | $26.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fPlaA2F7L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition - PC [Online Game Code] | $29.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Grand Theft Auto V - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $17.51 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Grand Theft Auto V | $29.27 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
2. Work out which HSW feature is absent
“HSW not appearing” can refer to several different things. Check which one you mean before trying an unlock step:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- The HSW Upgrade Service in the LS Car Meet: this is the workshop option for HSW upgrades and mods.
- Hao’s phone call or introductory activity: this is distinct from the workshop service.
- The HSW Time Trial: this is a map activity, not the LS Car Meet upgrade option.
3. Check the Intro Race requirement on consoles
On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, completing Hao’s Intro Race is no longer required to access the HSW Upgrade Service and mods. Rockstar made that change in Title Update 1.64. Older guides that describe the race as a current prerequisite for those consoles are out of date. See Rockstar’s Title Update 1.64 notes.
#1 Best Overall
- STUNNING VISUALS — Enhanced levels of fidelity and performance with new graphics modes featuring up to 4K resolution, up to 60 frames per second, HDR options, ray tracing, improved texture quality, and more
- FASTER LOADING — Quicker access to the action as the world of Los Santos and Blaine County load in faster than ever before.
- ADAPTIVE TRIGGERS AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK — Feel every moment through the DualSense controller, from directional damage to weather effects, rough road surfaces to explosions, and more.
- TEMPEST 3D AUDIO — Hear the sounds of the world with pinpoint precision: the throttle of a stolen supercar, the rattle of neighbouring gunfire, the roar of a helicopter overhead, and more.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the European version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
That change is explicitly limited to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar’s notes confirm HSW content on GTAV Enhanced for PC, but the cited 1.64 note does not say that the Intro Race requirement was removed on PC. It therefore does not establish every PC-specific trigger or unlock rule.
4. Update the game if the Time Trial is missing
Rockstar’s Title Update 1.69 notes record a fix for an issue that kept the HSW Time Trial from appearing for players who had not completed it. Install the latest available game update for your edition, then check the map again. The patch note documents a past visibility bug; it does not guarantee that updating resolves every case. See Rockstar’s Title Update 1.69 notes.
Rank #2
- Experience the world of Grand Theft Auto V like never before with the power of the PlayStation 4.
- Explore the City of Los Santos, the countryside and even the ocean.
- Play through an epic single player experience using three very different characters.
- Join your friends in GTA Online and see what trouble you can cause.
- Play golf, tennis, see a film or call someone and just hang out.
5. If HSW is still absent
If you are on a supported, updated edition and the relevant feature still does not appear, the official notes cited here do not provide a universal reset, cache-clearing procedure, or account-state diagnosis. Gather these details before seeking further help:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Your platform and exact game edition, such as PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or GTAV Enhanced on PC.
- The specific missing item: the LS Car Meet Upgrade Service, Hao’s call or intro activity, or the HSW Time Trial.
- Whether the game is updated.
Those details help distinguish an edition limitation from an unlock question or a Time Trial visibility issue, without relying on unsupported reset advice.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Used Book in Good Condition
Rank #4
- The biggest, most dynamic and most diverse open world ever created and now packed with layers of new detail.
- Grand Theft Auto V blends storytelling and gameplay in new ways as players repeatedly jump in and out of the lives of the game's three lead characters, playing all sides of the game's interwoven story.
- Grand Theft Auto V also comes with Grand Theft Auto Online, the dynamic and ever-evolving Grand Theft Auto universe for multiple players.
Rank #3
- GRAND THEFT AUTO V When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath land themselves in trouble, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other.
- GRAND THEFT AUTO ONLINE Discover an ever-evolving world of choices and ways to play as you climb the criminal ranks of Los Santos and Blaine County in the ultimate shared Online experience.
- THE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE STARTER PACK The Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack is the fastest way for new GTA Online players to jumpstart their criminal empires with the most exciting and popular content plus $1,000,000 bonus cash to spend in GTA Online - all content valued at over GTA$10,000,000 if purchased separately.
- This game will no longer support Windows 7 or 8 operating systems starting January 30, 2024.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
