The Modern Warfare 4 beta is right around the corner. Fans of Activision’s first-person shooter franchise are eagerly waiting to see what Infinity Ward has in store, but before loading into the action, preloading the beta ahead of time allows you to play as soon as the servers are switched on. Whether you’re planning to play on PC or Nintendo Switch 2, it’s important to make sure the beta is ready to go. Here, find all the essential intel on how you can preload the Modern Warfare 4 beta onto your PC and consoles.
When Can You Preload the Modern Warfare 4 Beta?
Preloading for the first Modern Warfare 4 beta weekend should begin on August 19th-20th, 2026. For the open beta, expect preloading to get underway on August 26th-27th before it starts on August 28th.
The Early Access beta starts on August 21st, immediately following the COD Next broadcast. This means you can tune into your favourite content creators showcasing the game before testing it out for yourself.
Depending on your platform, there are several different methods to preload the beta ahead of time. Below is a list containing all the information on how to start the preload on your respective platform.
PlayStation
- Search for the Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta on the PlayStation Store.
- If you’ve already pre-ordered the game, the beta will appear automatically. Press Download to start the preload.
- If you’ve got a physical code, head to Call of Duty’s code redemption page and follow the steps.
Xbox Series S|X
- Search for the beta on the Microsoft Store or find it in the Full Library of your My Games & Apps section.
- Redeem a physical code at the redemption page.
- Press Install and enable Automatic Updates to ensure your console downloads any day-one updates.
Steam
- Search for the beta in your Steam Library.
- When preload begins, right-click on the beta and select the Install option.
- Pick an install location with enough free space and start the download.
Battle.net
- Open the Battle.net app and click on Call of Duty.
- Select the Modern Warfare 4 beta from the dropdown to start the download.
- Choose your preferred install location.
Nintendo Switch 2
- Open the Nintendo eShop and search for the beta.
- No code is required to participate in the Open Beta
- Ensure you’ve got enough console storage or space on an SD card.
That’s everything there is to know about the Modern Warfare 4 beta preload. For even more intel, check out the full list of confirmed campaign missions.
