Call of Duty: NEXT and Modern Warfare 4: Early Intel, PC Specs, Pre-loading, and More
This continues our focus on giving each Call of Duty game its own distinct identity. Modern Warfare 4 launches with an entirely redesigned UI, and you’ll get your first look at part of that new experience during the Beta.
How to Download and Launch the Modern Warfare 4 Beta
Whether you’re joining your first Call of Duty Beta or returning for another deployment, getting started is straightforward, no matter your platform of choice.
What do I need to do first?
Before downloading the Beta, make sure you’re ready to play.
- Sign in with your Activision Account
Signing in with your Activision Account allows you to:
- Carry progression across supported platforms, letting you continue with the same profile if you play on more than one platform.
- Keep eligible Beta rewards tied to your Activision ID.
- Access earned Beta rewards when Modern Warfare 4 launches.
- Continue your progression if you switch between supported platforms.
Don’t have an Activision Account? Create one here before launching the Beta to ensure your progression and eligible rewards are saved.
When is the Modern Warfare 4 Beta Available to Play?
The Modern Warfare 4 Beta is available during two scheduled Beta weekends.
Early Access (Weekend One)
Early Access begins at 11:00AM PT, Friday August 21 for players who have pre-ordered or pre-purchased Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, PlayStation®5, Steam, and Battle.net. The Early Access Beta is scheduled to end at 10:00AM PT on Tuesday, August 25.
Here’s how to participate in the Early Access Beta:
- Pre-order or pre-purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 or
- Redeem a Beta Code
TIP: If you can’t find the Beta, confirm it’s currently live for your platform, region, and Beta access window. Also, make sure that you’re eligible to play during Early Access via pre-order / pre-purchase or redeeming a Beta Code, or you may not be able to see the Beta on your platform of choice.
Weekend One access is not available on the Nintendo Switch™ 2.
How do I redeem a Beta Code?
For further information about redeeming a Modern Warfare 4 Beta Code, read our support article here. Beta Codes are only useful for the Early Access Beta.
Open Beta (Weekend Two)
The Open Beta begins at 10:00AM PT, Friday August 28 for players on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, PlayStation®5, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2. The Open Beta is scheduled to end at 10:00AM PT on Tuesday, September 1.
Here’s how to participate in the Open Beta:
- The Beta is available to all players.
- Download the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta on your platform of choice.
- No pre-order or Beta Codes are needed.
How do I Download and Launch the Beta?
The Modern Warfare 4 Beta is downloaded separately through your platform’s digital storefront. You can preload early before a Beta Weekend begins, or at any time during either Beta Weekend. Here’s how to accomplish this:
- Download and install the Beta, then launch the game once the Beta is live.
Can I preload the Modern Warfare 4 Early Access or Open Beta?
Providing you meet the participation criteria for the Early Access Beta (see above), you can pre-load the Early Access Beta starting at 9:00AM on Thursday, August 20 on all platforms excluding Nintendo Switch 2.
- All players can preload the Open Beta starting at 9:00AM on Wednesday, August 26, on all platforms.
- If you are participating in both Beta Weekends, you only need to download the game once, as content and progression carries over from Weekend One to Two.
How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on XBOX Series X|S or XBOX on PC?
Download the Beta:
- Turn on your XBOX Series X|S console or open the XBOX on PC app.
- Open the Store.
- Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Select the Beta.
- Choose Install.
XBOX on PC: A small portion of the Beta will then be downloaded. The bulk of the download will be available to download on August 21 at 7AM PT.
Launch the Beta:
- Open My Games & Apps.
- Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Choose Play (once the Beta is live).
How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on PlayStation® 5?
Download the Beta:
- Turn on your PlayStation®5.
- Open PlayStation Store.
- Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Select the Beta.
- Choose Download.
Launch the Beta:
- Return to the Home screen.
- Open Game Library if needed.
- Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Press Play (once the Beta is live).
How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on Steam (PC)?
Download the Beta:
- Launch Steam.
- Open the Store.
- Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
- Open the Store page.
- Steam automatically adds the Beta to your Library and begins downloading.
Launch the Beta:
- Open your Steam Library.
- Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Click Play (once the Beta is live).
How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on Battle.net (PC)?
Download the Beta:
- Open Battle.net.
- Navigate to the Call of Duty page from your Favorites bar or otherwise
- Select Call of Duty: MW4 Beta in the Game Version dropdown
- Click Install.
Launch the Beta:
- Wait for installation to complete.
- Navigate to the Call of Duty page from your Favorites bar or otherwiseSelect Call of Duty: MW4 Beta in the Game Version dropdown
- Click Play (once the Beta is live).
How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on the Nintendo® Switch™ 2?
Pre-orders for Modern Warfare 4 (full game) on Nintendo Switch 2 begins at 9:00AM on Thursday, August 26. This is also when Nintendo Switch 2 players can preload the Beta, ready to access the Open Beta (Weekend Two). You do not need to pre-order the full game to play; the Open Beta is available to all players.
Download the Beta:
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch 2.
- Open Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Select the Beta.
- Choose Download.
Launch the Beta:
- Return to the HOME Menu.
- Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
- Press Start (once the Beta is live).