Every few months, the internet explodes with the same whispered rumor: “Liberty City is coming to your phone. For real this time.”

Stay safe, phone criminals.

You’ve seen the YouTube thumbnails—Niko Bellic’s grim face photoshopped onto a smartphone screen, neon arrows pointing to a “Download Now” button. The title screams:

Let that sink in. You can buy GTA: Chinatown Wars , GTA III , Vice City , San Andreas , and even Liberty City Stories on the Google Play Store. But GTA IV ? The 2008 masterpiece about Balkan tragedy, bowling with your cousin, and gritty NYC satire? It remains a console/PC exclusive.

Let’s cut through the noise. Here is the truth about chasing the Grand Theft Auto IV dragon on your Android device. Rockstar Games has never officially released GTA IV for Android.