How To Cancel a Mission in GTA 5 Online & Story Mode

Missions are a major part of GTA 5 and GTA Online, but sometimes players need to cancel or exit one—whether due to a mistake, an unwanted job invite, or simply wanting to switch activities. While the game doesn’t offer a direct “cancel mission” button, there are several effective ways to stop or leave a mission without losing progress unnecessarily. In this complete guide, we’ll go over every method to cancel or exit missions in GTA 5 and GTA Online, covering everything from quick restarts to session changes and menu options.

How To Cancel GTA 5 Missions in Story Mode

In GTA 5 Story Mode, canceling a mission is simple and can be done directly from the in-game menu. To stop a mission, open the Pause Menu, navigate to the Brief tab, and select Quit Mission. This immediately ends the current objective and returns you to free roam mode. Keep in mind, though, that quitting a mission will erase all progress made during that attempt, meaning you’ll have to restart from the beginning if you decide to replay it later. It’s best to cancel only when you’re sure you want to abandon your current progress or switch to a different task.

How To Cancel a Mission in GTA Online

If you’ve started a mission in GTA Online and want to leave it early, there are several quick ways to do so depending on your situation. Whether you’re stuck in a job, joined the wrong lobby, or simply want to switch activities, the following methods will help you exit smoothly.

Method 1: Using the iFruit Phone

The fastest way to cancel a mission in GTA Online is through your in-game iFruit phone. While on a mission, press Up on the D-pad (or the corresponding key on PC) to open your phone, then go to the Job List. Select the active job and choose Quit Job to exit immediately. This is the most convenient method and allows you to return to free roam mode in seconds without having to reload your game or session.

Method 2: Finding a New Session

If you’d prefer a clean restart or need to get away from other players, switching to a new session is another effective option. Open the Pause Menu, go to the Online tab, and select Find New Session. This will instantly remove you from your current mission and place you in a fresh lobby. You can choose between public, invite-only, or crew sessions depending on your preference. Though it takes slightly longer than quitting via phone, it’s perfect for players who want a complete reset.

Method 3: Leaving GTA Online

If all else fails, you can leave GTA Online entirely. Simply open the Pause Menu, head to Online, and choose Leave GTA Online (or Exit Game on PC). This method ensures the mission is canceled completely, but it also disconnects you from the servers and takes longer to load back in. It’s best used when you’re done playing or need a full game reset.

Each of these methods works for both solo and co-op missions, so you can choose whichever option best fits your situation.

Conclusion

Knowing how to cancel a mission in GTA 5 or GTA Online can save you a lot of time and frustration. Whether you’re replaying a difficult story mission, stuck in an unwanted online job, or just want to switch activities, the game gives you several easy ways to exit. From using the Brief tab in Story Mode to the iFruit phone or Find New Session option in GTA Online, each method works smoothly depending on your situation. Mastering these quick exits ensures you stay in control of your gameplay and can jump right back into the action whenever you’re ready.