The free MW4 open beta ran August 28 at 10 AM PT through September 1 at 10 AM PT and is no longer the current playable window.
The free Modern Warfare 4 open beta has ended. It ran from Friday, August 28 at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern through September 1 at the same clock times. Preload opened August 26. No preorder or code was required for that open weekend, and Nintendo Switch 2 joined that window.
| US time zone | Open beta started | Preload started |
|---|---|---|
| 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 — ended | Aug. 28, 10 a.m. PT | Sept. 1, 10 a.m. PT | All above plus Switch 2 | Open |
Historical download paths used during the open beta
| Platform | Download path used during the test |
|---|---|
| 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 said the bulk of its staged download became available August 28 at 7:00 AM PT |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Open Nintendo eShop and download the open-beta listing when preload was live |
Those paths describe the ended test client. They are not a claim that the beta storefront listing remains playable after September 1. The next confirmed milestones are Campaign Early Access on October 16 and the full launch on October 23.
A retailer or physical-order code was relevant to the ended early-access window; the open weekend itself did not need one. Do not download a similarly named third-party launcher. Activision said the beta was delivered through the platform's own storefront.
The open weekend raised the player-level cap to 30. For what can be earned permanently, see beta rewards and carry-over. For PC compatibility used during the test, compare the beta system requirements; for a security-check block, use TPM and Secure Boot help.
Sources & evidenceOpen the references used for this page
QUICK ANSWERS
Questions players ask next
When was 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. That window has ended.
Is the Modern Warfare 4 open beta still live?
No. The open beta ended September 1, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT.
Could Switch 2 play the early-access weekend?
No. Switch 2 joined the open beta on August 28.
Did I need to preorder for the open beta?
No. Eligible access was needed for the first weekend, but the second weekend was open.
What are the next confirmed playable dates?
Campaign Early Access begins October 16, 2026, and the full game launches October 23, 2026.
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