How to Preload the MW4 Beta: Download Date, Time & Platforms

The Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta preload is now live for everyone. Downloads opened on August 26 at 9:00 AM PT across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2. You do not need to preorder MW4 or have a Beta code.

The MW4 Beta is a separate download from the normal Call of Duty installation, so you need to find and install the Beta through your platform. This guide covers the preload times, download steps, storage requirements, and fixes if the Beta is not showing.

MW4 Open Beta Preload Is Live

The public MW4 Open Beta preload started on August 26 at 9:00 AM PT. Anyone can download it now on every supported platform.

You will not be able to play immediately after downloading. The Open Beta servers go live on August 28 at 10:00 AM PT and remain available until September 1 at 10:00 AM PT.
Weekend 1 Early Access ended on August 25. Weekend 2 is completely free, so preorders and Beta codes are no longer required.

Players who already installed the Beta for Weekend 1 do not need to download the entire game again. Keep the existing Beta installed and download the Weekend 2 update when available.

MW4 Open Beta Preload Time by Region

The worldwide Open Beta preload began at 9:00 AM Pacific Time on August 26. Depending on your region, that falls on August 26 or early August 27.

MW4 Beta Preload vs Open Beta Start Time

Preloading lets you install the game before the servers open. Downloading the Beta today does not let you enter Weekend 2 early.
For the complete schedule, rewards, Level 30 cap, maps, modes, and access details, see our Modern Warfare 4 Beta guide.

Is the MW4 Beta a Separate Download?

Yes. Modern Warfare 4 Beta is installed separately from the normal Call of Duty application.

The Beta does not automatically arrive through a regular Call of Duty update. You need to find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta through your platform's store or launcher and start the download yourself.

Once installed, the Beta also launches directly instead of forcing you to open the main Call of Duty application first.

Which Platforms Can Preload the MW4 Open Beta?

The free Weekend 2 preload is available on every supported MW4 platform:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• Xbox on PC
• Steam
• Battle.net
• Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 was excluded from Weekend 1 but joins the Beta for the first time during Weekend 2.

No MW4 preorder or Beta code is required on any of these platforms for the Open Beta.

How to Preload the MW4 Open Beta

Since MW4 Beta is its own application, search specifically for the Beta through your platform's digital store or launcher.

How to Preload the MW4 Beta on PS5

1. Turn on your PlayStation 5.
2. Open the PlayStation Store.
3. Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
4. Select the Beta.
5. Choose Download.

After installation, the Beta will appear on your PS5 Home screen or inside your Game Library.

You can download it now, but it will not become playable until the Open Beta starts on August 28 at 10:00 AM PT.

How to Preload the MW4 Beta on Xbox Series X|S

1. Turn on your Xbox Series X|S.
2. Open the Store.
3. Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
4. Select the Beta.
5. Choose Install.

If the Beta does not appear normally, go to My games & apps > Full library > All games and search for Modern Warfare 4 Beta there.

Once Weekend 2 begins, launch it through My Games & Apps.

How to Preload the MW4 Beta Through Xbox on PC

1. Open the Xbox app on PC.
2. Open the Store.
3. Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
4. Select the Beta.
5. Choose Install.

If you cannot find the Beta in your library, clear the Installed filter and search again.

During the original Weekend 1 preload, Xbox on PC initially downloaded only a very small part of the Beta before releasing the main files closer to launch. That restriction has passed, so players joining the Open Beta should now check the Xbox app for the complete Beta installation and any Weekend 2 update.

How to Preload the MW4 Beta on Steam

1. Launch Steam.
2. Open the Store.
3. Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
4. Open the MW4 Store page.
5. Find the Beta and select Play Now.
6. Steam will add Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta to your Library and begin downloading it.

After installation, open your Steam Library and select the Beta. You will be able to play when Weekend 2 starts on August 28.

How to Preload the MW4 Beta on Battle.net

1. Open Battle.net.
2. Navigate to the Call of Duty page.
3. Open the Game Version dropdown.
4. Select Call of Duty: MW4 Beta.
5. Click Install.

After installation, use the same Game Version dropdown to select Call of Duty: MW4 Beta and click Play once the Open Beta starts.

How to Preload the MW4 Beta on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 joins Modern Warfare 4 during Weekend 2, and the Beta can now be downloaded through Nintendo eShop.

1. Turn on your Nintendo Switch 2.
2. Open Nintendo eShop.
3. Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
4. Select the Beta.
5. Choose Download.

You do not need to preorder Modern Warfare 4 to participate in the Open Beta.

A linked Nintendo Switch Online account is required to play Multiplayer modes in the Beta.

Modern Warfare 4 full-game preorders on Nintendo Switch 2 also opened on August 26, but buying the game is not required to download or play Weekend 2.

Do You Need an MW4 Beta Code for the Open Beta?

No. Beta codes were only needed for certain players accessing Weekend 1 Early Access.

The August 28 Open Beta is available to everyone. You can download it now without preordering Modern Warfare 4, buying the Vault Edition, or redeeming an Early Access token.

If you already have the Beta installed from Weekend 1, simply keep the application installed and update it for Weekend 2.

Do You Need to Download the MW4 Beta Again for Weekend 2?

No. If you played during Weekend 1, you do not need another full installation.

The existing Modern Warfare 4 Beta application is used for Weekend 2. Download any available update before August 28 and keep the Beta installed.

Your Beta progression carries from Weekend 1 into Weekend 2, so players who reached Level 20 during Early Access can continue toward the increased Level 30 cap when the Open Beta begins.

MW4 Beta Shader Preloading on PC

Modern Warfare 4 introduces Shader Preloading during the Beta to reduce the amount of shader processing needed after launching the game.

PC shaders need to be prepared for your specific GPU and system configuration. Moving more of this work outside the game can reduce waiting and performance hitches after an update.

Battle.net Shader Preloading

Battle.net supports Shader Preloading from the first MW4 Beta installation.

After installing or updating the Beta, you may see Modern Warfare 4 appear in your Windows system tray with a message that Shader Pre-Loading will start. This is expected behavior.

You can continue using your PC while the process runs.

Steam Shader Preloading

Steam requires a traditional one-time shader compilation on the first game boot.

After that first compilation, Shader Preloading can work for later updates. This means Steam players who played during Weekend 1 can benefit from Shader Preloading when preparing the Weekend 2 update.

Shader Preloading can also be disabled in the game settings.

How Big Is the MW4 Beta Download?

Activision has not published one exact MW4 Beta download size that applies to every platform.

However, Activision's official PC requirements now confirm that players should have an SSD with 70 GB of available space for the Modern Warfare 4 Beta.

This does not mean the Beta itself is a 70 GB download. The actual amount downloaded can vary based on your platform, installed Beta components, updates, and existing files. The 70 GB figure is the official free-space requirement for PC.

Console download requirements can also differ between PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

If you are preloading on PC, keeping at least 70 GB free on your SSD is the safest option before starting the installation or Weekend 2 update.

MW4 Beta Preload Not Showing? Try These Fixes

The Open Beta preload has started on all platforms, so you should now be able to find the Beta even without a preorder.

If it is still missing, try the following:

• Search for the separate Beta application. Look specifically for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta instead of checking the normal Call of Duty install.
• Restart your storefront or launcher and search again.
• Xbox Series X|S: Go to My games & apps > Full library > All games and search for the Beta.
• Xbox on PC: Clear the Installed filter in your Library if the Beta is missing.
• Battle.net: Open Call of Duty and choose Call of Duty: MW4 Beta from the Game Version dropdown.
• Steam: Open the Modern Warfare 4 Store page and select Play Now beside the Beta.
• Check for platform or launcher updates.
• Make sure your console or PC region is set correctly.
• Check your available storage space. PC players should have 70 GB available on an SSD.
• Keep your device connected to the internet until installation finishes.

If the Beta downloads but will not launch yet, remember that Weekend 2 does not begin until August 28 at 10:00 AM PT. A locked Play button before that time does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.

PC players also need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for MW4 Beta online play. See our MW4 TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot guide if your PC is not ready.

Can You Preload the MW4 Open Beta Without Preordering?

Yes. You can download it now without preordering Modern Warfare 4.

The free public preload opened on August 26 at 9:00 AM PT across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2.

No Beta code is required either. Once installed, you simply need to wait for the Open Beta servers to go live on August 28 at 10:00 AM PT.

What to Do Before the MW4 Open Beta Starts

Once your download is ready, there are several things worth checking before Weekend 2 begins.

• Make sure the separate MW4 Beta application is fully installed and updated.
• Sign into your Activision account so progression and eligible rewards are tied to your profile.
• PC players should keep at least 70 GB of SSD space available.
• Allow Shader Preloading or shader compilation to finish on PC.
• Update your GPU drivers if you are playing on PC.
• Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on PC.
• Check our MW4 Beta maps and modes guide for everything playable during Weekend 2.
• Review the MW4 Beta weapons and unlocks.
• See our best guns in the MW4 Beta if you want a strong loadout from your first match.
• Check the full MW4 Beta schedule and rewards guide.

Weekend 2 adds more content and raises the Player Level cap to 30, so there is more progression to complete before the Beta ends on September 1.

MW4 Beta Preload FAQ

Can I preload the MW4 Open Beta now?

Yes. The public MW4 Open Beta preload started on August 26 at 9:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM CEST and is available to everyone.

What time does the MW4 Open Beta preload start?

The preload started at 9:00 AM PT. That is 12:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM BST, and 6:00 PM CEST on August 26.

When can I play the MW4 Open Beta?

The Open Beta begins on August 28 at 10:00 AM PT and ends on September 1 at 10:00 AM PT.

Is the MW4 Beta a separate download?

Yes. The Beta is installed separately from the main Call of Duty application and must be downloaded through your platform's storefront or launcher.

Do I need to download the MW4 Beta again for Weekend 2?

No. Weekend 1 players can keep the same Beta installation and download the Weekend 2 update. Progression also carries from Weekend 1 into Weekend 2.

Can I preload the MW4 Beta without preordering?

Yes. The Open Beta preload is free for everyone. You do not need to preorder Modern Warfare 4 or redeem a Beta code.

How do I find the MW4 Beta on Battle.net?

Open Battle.net, navigate to Call of Duty, open the Game Version dropdown, select Call of Duty: MW4 Beta, and click Install.

Why can't I find the MW4 Beta on Xbox?

If a normal Store search does not work, go to My games & apps > Full library > All games and search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta.

On Xbox on PC, clear the Installed filter in your Library and search again.

Can Nintendo Switch 2 preload the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Nintendo Switch 2 players can download the Beta through Nintendo eShop starting August 26 and play when Weekend 2 begins on August 28. A linked Nintendo Switch Online account is required for Multiplayer modes.

How big is the MW4 Beta download?

There is no single confirmed download-size figure for every platform. Activision's official PC requirements say you should have an SSD with 70 GB of available space, but that does not mean the actual download itself is 70 GB.

Do I need an MW4 Beta code?

Not for the Open Beta. Beta codes were used for certain Weekend 1 Early Access players. Weekend 2 is free and open to everyone.

Does the MW4 Beta use Shader Preloading?

Yes on PC. Battle.net supports Shader Preloading from the initial Beta installation. Steam requires one normal shader compilation on first boot, then Shader Preloading can be used for later updates.