Netflix Launches a Mobile-Friendly Version of Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption officially arrived on the Netflix Games platform on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for fans — it’s the first time the title has ever been available on iOS and Android devices.

Netflix subscribers can now download the game, which features a redesigned control system optimised for mobile play, including touch-based navigation and shooting mechanics. Players should be aware that the mobile version does not include multiplayer, and it requires an active internet connection; offline play is not supported.

Initially released by Rockstar Games in 2010, Red Dead Redemption is set in 1911 during the final years of the Wild West. Players follow John Marston, a former outlaw forced to hunt down his former gang to rescue his kidnapped family. The mobile release also bundles the standalone expansion “Undead Nightmare,” where Marston battles a sudden zombie outbreak.

Adding Red Dead Redemption to Netflix’s game portfolio is a significant step in the company’s evolving gaming strategy. For years, Netflix struggled to attract players, with fewer than 1% of its subscriber base engaging with its games. But in 2024, the tide began to turn — estimates showed Netflix Games downloads rising 180% year-over-year.

Red Dead Redemption is one of Rockstar’s biggest franchises, second only to Grand Theft Auto. The series maintains a loyal player community, and many fans have speculated that a prequel announcement could be on the horizon. This new mobile release could help reignite interest in the franchise.

The launch also follows Netflix’s rollout of gaming on smart TVs in October. That update allows subscribers to use their phones as controllers to play family-friendly titles like Boggle Party, LEGO Party!, and Pictionary.

This latest expansion comes just two years after Netflix added Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy to its mobile game offerings. However, GTA: San Andreas will leave Netflix Games on December 12, marking the final day subscribers can access the title.