Rockstar, Grand Theft Auto 5’s creators, just dropped a free Enhanced Edition update for Grand Theft Auto V on PC, adding improved graphics, ray tracing, and AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS support. On paper, it sounds like a win for players. But instead of celebrating the upgrade, many are frustrated—because Rockstar quietly removed in-game text chat from GTA Online.
Why Does This Matter?
For many players, text chat isn’t just a minor feature—it’s a crucial way to communicate, especially for those who prefer typing over voice chat or rely on it for accessibility reasons. Now, with no explanation, it’s just gone.
Some are getting by with the in-game SMS system, while others are jumping to external chat apps like Discord or Steam chat. But none of these replace the simplicity and convenience of the built-in text chat, which allowed for quick communication with anyone in the session.
Is This Permanent?
Right now, it’s unclear. Players who reached out to Rockstar Support were told that text chat isn’t supported in the Enhanced Edition—but there was no confirmation that it’s gone for good.
This could mean a few things. Maybe it was an unintentional removal and will return in a future patch. Maybe Rockstar is testing ways to reduce spam and toxicity in public lobbies. Or perhaps they’ve decided to phase it out entirely. Without an official announcement, players are left guessing.
What Are the Alternatives?
Until Rockstar provides more information, players will have to work with what they’ve got:
• The in-game SMS system, but it’s slow and only works for direct messages
• Platform-level messaging like Xbox or PlayStation chats
• Third-party apps like Discord or Steam chat, which require extra setup and only work with friends
Some players don’t mind the change, arguing that it reduces toxic chat and spam. But for others, removing a simple and effective way to communicate in the game is a frustrating step backward.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are on Rockstar now to see if they bring text chat back or at least explain why it was removed. If it was a mistake, it could be patched back in soon. But if this is a permanent change, it’s bound to stir up even more backlash from the community.
