For Grand Theft Auto fans, the news hits hard: GTA: San Andreas The Definitive Edition will soon vanish from Netflix’s game library.
Since its debut on December 14, 2023, San Andreas has been one of the most downloaded and played titles in Netflix Games history, second only to Oxenfree II: Lost Signals. But after two years of availability and over 10 million downloads on Android alone, the iconic Rockstar Games title will officially leave Netflix Games on December 12, 2025, becoming unplayable for subscribers.
The move comes as Netflix continues to refine its gaming portfolio, balancing major licensed titles with new in-house projects and as Rockstar shifts focus toward its own mobile ecosystem and upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI marketing cycle.
“This is a bittersweet moment for Netflix Games,” says gaming analyst Jacob Sloane. “San Andreas gave legitimacy to the service; it proved that console-quality games could thrive on Netflix. Its departure leaves big shoes to fill.”
Overview of GTA: San Andreas on Netflix Games
| Game Title | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition |
|---|---|
| Developer | Rockstar Games / Grove Street Games |
| Publisher | Take-Two Interactive |
| Netflix Release Date | December 14, 2023 |
| Departure Date | December 12, 2025 |
| Genre | Open-World Action / Adventure |
| Platform | iOS & Android (via Netflix Games) |
| Total Downloads (Android) | 10 million+ |
| Ranking | Netflix’s 2nd Most-Played Game (2024–2025) |
| Status | Leaving Netflix Games – Unplayable after removal |
How GTA: San Andreas Became Netflix’s Most Popular Game?
When Netflix announced in 2023 that it had secured the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition bundle, fans were surprised. The deal brought three remastered classics, GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas, to mobile devices exclusively for Netflix subscribers at no extra cost.
While GTA III and Vice City left the service in late 2024, San Andreas remained, continuing to drive engagement long after launch. Its popularity was fueled by several factors:
- Iconic Setting: The fictional state of San Andreas, inspired by California and Nevada, remains one of Rockstar’s most beloved sandboxes.
- Enhanced Remaster: The Netflix version featured HD visuals, smoother controls, and updated textures optimized for mobile.
- Free Access: Unlike on other mobile stores, Netflix users could play the entire campaign without ads or microtransactions.
“It felt surreal playing San Andreas on a phone, with Netflix branding no less,” said streamer Liam Cruz, who has covered the game since launch. “For a lot of fans, it was their first time revisiting CJ’s story since 2004.”
The Departure: When and Why It’s Leaving?
Netflix has confirmed via its official Games Help Page and in-app notification that the last day to play GTA: San Andreas will be December 12, 2025. After that date, the game will no longer launch, even if it remains installed on your device.
Why It’s Leaving?
- License Expiration: The distribution agreement between Netflix and Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar’s parent company) is expiring.
- Rockstar’s Internal Focus: With GTA VI approaching and Red Dead Redemption now joining Netflix Games, the publisher is realigning its mobile portfolio.
- Limited Renewal Precedent: Netflix has only extended one gaming license post-expiration for Into the Dead 2: Unleashed, and that was a brief three-month delay.
Removal Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Removal Notice Added (Netflix App) | November 20, 2025 |
| “Last Day to Play” Notice | December 12, 2025 |
| Game Unavailable / Unplayable | December 13, 2025 |
What Happens After December 12, 2025?
Once GTA: San Andreas is removed, it will no longer function through the Netflix app, even if already downloaded.
Unlike Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus removals, Netflix Games titles can’t be purchased separately or transferred, meaning your game becomes effectively “bricked.”
Important Details for Players
- Saved data tied to Netflix accounts cannot be transferred to other platforms.
- The game will not notify you in-game before removal.
- The title remains available for purchase on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for around £18.99 / $19.99, but saves from the Netflix version will not carry over.
“Netflix’s model gives players unlimited access, but no ownership,” explains gaming researcher Hannah Lee. “Once the rights expire, players lose everything. It’s the dark side of streaming games.”
Netflix’s Evolving Gaming Strategy
While San Andreas’ exit is disappointing, it comes as Netflix strengthens its gaming ecosystem. In December 2025, the company will add Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption to its lineup, signalling a deepened relationship with Take-Two Interactive despite the departure.
Other Games Leaving in December 2025
- Civilization VI (2K Games)
- Teeter (Up) Reloaded (Netflix Games)
- Before Your Eyes (Netflix Interactive) – Internal project closure
These removals highlight Netflix’s shift toward curating fewer but higher-quality titles while expanding its first-party development portfolio through acquisitions like Night School Studio and Boss Fight Entertainment.
| Incoming Titles (Dec 2025 – 2026) | Developer |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption | Rockstar Games |
| Oxenfree III | Night School Studio |
| Shadow and Bone: Bloodlines | Netflix Games |
| The Queen’s Gambit: Origins | Ripstone Studios |
The Legacy of GTA: San Andreas
Even 21 years after its original 2004 release, GTA: San Andreas remains a cultural cornerstone. It’s the story of Carl “CJ” Johnson’s return to Los Santos, navigating loyalty, corruption, and survival, remains one of gaming’s defining narratives.
Netflix’s remastered version brought this classic to a new generation, complete with touch controls, dynamic lighting, and HD visuals, all wrapped in nostalgia.
“San Andreas proved Netflix could handle AAA-level game distribution,” says Marcus Delaney, editor at Mobile Insider. “Losing it is a setback, but it raised the standard for what mobile gaming on a streaming service could be.”
Conclusion
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, leaving Netflix Games, marks the end of one of the service’s most successful partnerships. For many players, it was their first exposure to console-quality open-world gaming on mobile, a feat that elevated Netflix’s status in the gaming world.
While the loss stings, Netflix’s continued expansion, including the upcoming Red Dead Redemption port, suggests that its relationship with Rockstar and its gaming ambitions are far from over.
FAQs
The game’s last playable day is December 12, 2025.
No. Once removed, it becomes unplayable even if installed on your device.
Unfortunately, no. Saved data is exclusive to the Netflix version.
Yes, it remains purchasable via Google Play, Apple App Store, and Rockstar’s website.
Red Dead Redemption joins Netflix’s library on December 2, 2025, becoming the platform’s newest Rockstar title.
