Ready for GTA VI launch?

Check your free space in Settings › Storage.

Delete games you don't play via Settings › Storage › Console Storage › Games and Apps › Delete.

Tip: Titles marked Customize can be deleted in parts, for example one game mode.

Park games on a USB drive set up as extended storage instead of deleting them.

Good to know: You must move a PS5 game back to console storage or an M.2 SSD before playing it. See PS5 extended storage.

Open your storage : Xbox button › Profile & system › Settings › System › Storage devices.

Good to know: Part of every drive is reserved for the system, so you never see the full size free (Xbox Support).

Uninstall what you don't play via Uninstall content › Free up space › Remove selected.

Good to know: Xbox says removing a game keeps your licence and progress.

Move big games to a USB drive with Menu › Manage game and add-ons › Move or copy.

Good to know: The drive needs 128 GB or more and USB 3.0/3.1. Series X|S optimised games must be moved back to the internal SSD or a Storage Expansion Card to play.

Switch on Auto-Download in Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Automatic Updates.

Tip: You can switch on Auto-Install in Rest Mode on the same screen.

Stay online in Rest Mode via Settings › System › Power Saving › Features Available in Rest Mode › Stay Connected to the Internet.

Why: Without this, nothing downloads while the console rests.

Check the pre-order : open Game Library, select the game and its countdown timer, keep every box ticked and select OK.

Why: Ticked boxes mean auto-download is on for that content (PlayStation Support).

Leave the PS5 on or in Rest Mode until the download is done.

Why: Pre-loading has been open since 10 November. Sony says a pre-order with auto-download starts as soon as the content is available, so it may already be finished.

Switch on automatic updates : Xbox button › Profile & system › Settings › System › Updates › Keep my games & apps up to date.

Set the power mode to Sleep in Profile & system › Settings › General › Power options.

Why Sleep: Xbox Support says the energy-saving mode also installs updates, but Rockstar names Sleep for the pre-load.

Keep it your home Xbox, online, with up to 212 GB free

Why: Xbox Support: automatic installs only happen on your home Xbox, connected to the Xbox network, with enough storage. Need room? Free up space on Xbox.

Watch the queue via Check install progress › Manage Queue.

Options: Pause or cancel there, or press Menu › Install now to move a game to the front.

Add your child to your PlayStation family , then let them sign in on the PS5 once.

Why: Sony says the controls may not take effect until the child has verified their email and signed in. Make all changes from the family manager's account. PlayStation Support

Open Family Management in Settings › Family and Parental Controls and select your child.

Set the age level under Age level for games and apps (PS5/PS4 and PS3).

What it does: A PS5 game is allowed only if its age rating is at or below your child's age. Presets (Restriction level) work the same way for PS5 games.

Answer exceptions in Allowed Games.

How: Your child can request a single game; you get the request as a notification and by email.

Keep the spending limit at 0 in Parental Controls › Monthly Spending Limit.

Why: Child purchases are paid from the family manager's wallet. The limit starts at 0.

Set playtime, chat and browser in Playtime Settings, Communication and User-Generated Content and Web Browsing.

Good to know: Check Time Zone so limits follow your clock. "Restrict" on communication turns off text and voice chat with other players. In a browser: Account Management › Family Management › your child › Edit.

Add your child to your family group and check the birth date on their Microsoft account.

Why: Age filters rely on that birth date. Xbox Support: add someone to your family

Set the age filter in Settings › Content restrictions › Apply age filters.

What it does: Content rated above the limit needs your approval.

Switch on Ask to buy : select your child › Spending › Ask to buy.

Gaps: No approval is needed when a child spends currency or Xbox gift card balance. Don't add your card to a child's account.

Set screen time : select your child › Screen time › Schedule.

Options: Days of the week, a time limit in 30-minute steps and an optional time range.

Limit chat and online play with the Social, Multiplayer and Cross-network play tiles in Settings.

Lock your own account with an Xbox profile PIN, and keep the phone with the app out of reach.

Why: Otherwise a child can approve their own requests. Free games without sign-in can bypass screen time; Microsoft recommends an access PIN and offline limits.