The impossible Just Happened. What Now?

For over a decade, gamers said it couldn't be done. "The world is too big." "The physics are too complex." Yet, here we are. As of December 2025, Red Dead Redemption is officially playable on iOS and Android through Netflix Games.

This monumental achievement proves one thing: modern smartphones can handle massive, complex open-world Rockstar games.

Naturally, this leads to one burning question... Where is Grand Theft Auto IV?

The Evidence for a GTA IV Mobile Port

The release of Red Dead Redemption on mobile isn't just a cool new game; it's a proof of concept. Here is why a GTA IV port is now more likely than ever:

1. The Engine Argument

Both Red Dead Redemption (2010) and Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) run on the same game engine: the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE).

• Rockstar, in collaboration with Double Eleven, has successfully optimized this version of the RAGE engine for ARM-based mobile processors.
• The hard technical work of translating the engine is already done. Porting GTA IV is no longer a matter of "if it's possible," but "when they will do it."

2. The Rumor Mill is Spinning

Reliable Rockstar insiders like "Tez2" have hinted that a port of GTA IV for modern platforms is in development and could release as early as late 2025 or 2026.

• While these rumors initially focused on PS5 and Xbox Series X, Rockstar's new strategy of releasing mobile ports alongside console versions (as seen with RDR1) makes a mobile version highly probable.
• The recent takedown of major GTA IV mods like the "Liberty City Preservation Project" further suggests Rockstar is clearing the way for an official release.

The Verdict: It's a Matter of Time

With GTA VI delayed to late 2026, Rockstar needs a major release to fill the gap. A definitive edition of Grand Theft Auto IV—complete with its legendary expansions, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony—brought to modern consoles and mobile would be a massive financial success.

The technical barriers are gone. The demand is at an all-time high. It's time for Niko Bellic to come home to our pockets.

While we wait, you can now experience the western masterpiece that paved the way. Red Dead Redemption is available now on iOS and Android.