Setup guide
GTA Trilogy Radio Streams in ETS2 and ATS
How themed GTA Trilogy station packs fit into ETS2 and ATS, and the safe way to install custom live_streams.sii files.
UpdatedJul 29, 2026
Read5 min
ByETS2 Guide Team
Quick answer
Add themed radio streams to ETS2 or ATS only through a backed-up live_streams.sii file and trusted direct stream URLs. Do not install bundled executables or unofficial radio launchers. If a station stops working, verify that its address still points to a playable audio stream, then edit or remove that single entry instead of replacing your whole configuration.
Community radio packs can make ETS2 and ATS feel surprisingly different. A GTA Trilogy themed pack is especially nostalgic for players who first learned open-road atmosphere through Liberty City, Vice City, or San Andreas.
The technical setup is simple: ETS2 and ATS read internet radio stations from live_streams.sii. Replacing or editing that file changes the in-game radio list.
File Location
On Windows, open the relevant folder:
Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\live_streams.sii
Documents\American Truck Simulator\live_streams.sii
If you are installing a shared station pack, it will usually replace this file directly.
Safe Install Steps
- Close ETS2 or ATS.
- Open the game's folder inside
Documents. - Find
live_streams.sii. - Copy it and rename the copy to
live_streams.backup.sii. - Place the new
live_streams.siiin the same folder. - Start the game.
- Press R to open the radio player.
- Choose the internet radio tab and test a station.
If the stations do not appear, the file is probably in the wrong game's folder or the .sii syntax is broken.
What the GTA Pack Usually Adds
A GTA Trilogy themed list normally groups stations by game, for example:
| Prefix | Source |
|---|---|
| III | Grand Theft Auto III |
| VC | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |
| SA | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas |
The appeal is not only the track list. It is the road mood: classic rock, hip-hop, funk, electronic, talk radio flavor, and the strange memory of hearing game-world stations while driving through another simulation entirely.
Buffering Notes
Some streams take a few seconds to begin. If a station does not play immediately, wait 10 to 20 seconds and try again before assuming it is broken.
Common causes:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Station loads slowly | Wait longer or try another station |
| Station never plays | Test the stream outside the game |
| No stations appear | Check the file name and folder path |
| Old stations are gone | Restore your backup file |
Why It Works So Well
ATS is the more natural fit for GTA-inspired radio because of the American road setting, but ETS2 benefits too. Long motorway runs, night freight, and relaxed cruising all feel more personal when the soundtrack carries a familiar place in your memory.
Custom radio is a small feature, but for long-haul games it can change the emotional temperature of an entire route.
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