The free MW4 open beta starts August 28 at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern, with preload beginning August 26.
The free Modern Warfare 4 open beta opens today, Friday, August 28, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern and ends September 1 at the same clock times. Preload is already available. No preorder or code is required, and Nintendo Switch 2 joins this window.
| US time zone | Open beta starts | Preload starts |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific | Aug. 28, 10:00 AM PDT | Aug. 26, 9:00 AM PDT |
| Mountain | Aug. 28, 11:00 AM MDT | Aug. 26, 10:00 AM MDT |
| Central | Aug. 28, 12:00 PM CDT | Aug. 26, 11:00 AM CDT |
| Eastern | Aug. 28, 1:00 PM EDT | Aug. 26, 12:00 PM EDT |
| Window | Start | End | Platforms | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early access — ended | Aug. 21, 11 a.m. PT | Aug. 25, 10 a.m. PT | PS5, Xbox Series, Steam, Battle.net, Xbox PC | Eligible early access |
| Open beta | Aug. 28, 10 a.m. PT | Sept. 1, 10 a.m. PT | All above plus Switch 2 | Open |
How to download the open beta
| Platform | Download path |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Open PlayStation Store, search Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta, then choose Download |
| Xbox Series X|S | Open Store, search Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta, then choose Install |
| Steam | Open the Modern Warfare 4 store page, select Play Now beside the beta, then install it from Library |
| Battle.net | Select Modern Warfare 4, choose the Beta version if prompted, then click Install |
| Xbox on PC | Search the Xbox app for the separate Modern Warfare 4 Beta product; Activision says the bulk of its staged download becomes available August 28 at 7:00 AM PT |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Open Nintendo eShop and download the open-beta listing when preload is live |
Preload does not open matchmaking early. It only prepares the client for 10:00 AM PT. If Play remains unavailable before that time, the schedule—not a broken entitlement—is the likely reason. A retailer or physical-order code was relevant to the ended early-access window; the open weekend itself does not need one.
Do not download a similarly named third-party launcher. Activision says the beta is delivered through the platform's own storefront, and an installed client may still require the current title update before matchmaking appears.
The open weekend raises the player-level cap to 30. For what can be earned permanently, see beta rewards and carry-over. For PC compatibility, compare the beta system requirements; for a security-check block, use TPM and Secure Boot help.
Sources
QUICK ANSWERS
Questions players ask next
When is the Modern Warfare 4 open beta?
August 28 at 10 a.m. PT through September 1 at 10 a.m. PT on all announced platforms.
Can Switch 2 play the early-access weekend?
No. Switch 2 joins the open beta on August 28.
Do I need to preorder for the open beta?
No. Eligible access is needed for the first weekend, but the second weekend is open.
What time does the Modern Warfare 4 open beta start in the US?
August 28 at 10:00 AM Pacific, 11:00 AM Mountain, noon Central, and 1:00 PM Eastern.
How do I download the Modern Warfare 4 beta?
Search for the separate Modern Warfare 4 Beta product in your console or PC storefront. Steam places the beta on the main game page, while Battle.net exposes a beta version in the launcher.
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