Modern Warfare 4 Beta Recap: Dates, Maps, Rewards and What Carries Over
The Modern Warfare 4 beta ran across two weekends: the Early Access Beta from August 21 to 25, 2026, for pre-orders and beta-code holders, then the free Open Beta from August 28 to September 1. It's over now, so this page is the recap: which maps and modes were playable, what rewards you earned, which weapons dominated, and what does and doesn't carry over to the full game.
Update, October 2026: Both beta weekends are over. The Early Access Beta ran August 21–25 and the free Open Beta ran August 28 to September 1, 2026. Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, 2026, with Campaign Early Access from October 16 for digital pre-orders. Cosmetic Beta Rewards you unlocked are tied to your Activision account and will be in the full game. The weapons that stood out are covered in the section on which weapons dominated the beta.
For the launch itself, including early access, editions, Game Pass and what changes in Warzone at Season 1, see our Modern Warfare 4 launch guide.
This complete MW4 Beta guide covers everything you need to know, including the Modern Warfare 4 beta dates, early access, open beta, beta codes, registration, preload times, platform availability, maps, modes, rewards, download information and frequently asked questions.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta quick answer
- Early Access Beta: August 21–25, 2026.
- Early Access starts: August 21 at 11:00 AM PT.
- Open Beta: August 28–September 1, 2026.
- Open Beta starts: August 28 at 10:00 AM PT.
- Open Beta access: Free and does not require a preorder or beta code.
- Early Access: Available through eligible preorders or beta codes.
- Campaign Beta mission: Entrenched.
- New Ground War content: Available during the Open Beta.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Dates
There are two main MW4 Beta weekends. The first is the Early Access period, while the second is the Open Beta available to everyone on supported platforms.
| MW4 Beta | Date | Start | End | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Access Beta | August 21–25, 2026 | August 21, 11:00 AM PT | August 25, 10:00 AM PT | Preorder / eligible beta code |
| Open Beta | August 28–September 1, 2026 | August 28, 10:00 AM PT | September 1, 10:00 AM PT | Free |
When Does the MW4 Early Access Beta Start?
The Modern Warfare 4 Early Access Beta begins Friday, August 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM PT. The Early Access period runs until Tuesday, August 25 at 10:00 AM PT.
| Location | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 11:00 AM PDT |
| New York | 2:00 PM EDT |
| London | 7:00 PM BST |
| Berlin | 8:00 PM CEST |
| Sydney | 4:00 AM AEST, August 22 |
| Auckland | 6:00 AM NZST, August 22 |
When Does the MW4 Open Beta Start?
The Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta begins Friday, August 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT and ends Tuesday, September 1 at 10:00 AM PT.
Unlike the Early Access period, the MW4 Open Beta does not require a preorder or beta code. Players on supported platforms can download and participate during the Open Beta period.
| Location | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10:00 AM PDT |
| New York | 1:00 PM EDT |
| London | 6:00 PM BST |
| Berlin | 7:00 PM CEST |
| Sydney | 3:00 AM AEST, August 29 |
| Auckland | 5:00 AM NZST, August 29 |
Do You Need a Modern Warfare 4 Beta Code?
Whether you need an MW4 beta code depends on how you obtained Early Access. Not every player needs to redeem a code.
- Players who preorder digitally through supported platform stores receive automatic access.
- Players who preorder physical editions or purchase through participating retailers may need a beta code.
- Promotional beta codes can provide Early Access when properly redeemed.
- The Open Beta does not require a beta code.
Eligible codes can be redeemed through the official Call of Duty beta redemption system.
How to Register for the Modern Warfare 4 Beta
Registration depends on whether you are joining the Early Access or Open Beta period.
Early Access registration
- Preorder an eligible version of Modern Warfare 4 or obtain an eligible beta code.
- Redeem your code through the official Call of Duty beta redemption page when required.
- Link the appropriate gaming account.
- Confirm your platform entitlement.
- Download the Beta build before the Early Access period begins.
Open Beta registration
The MW4 Open Beta is free. Players do not need to preorder Modern Warfare 4 or obtain an Early Access code. Simply download the Beta build on a supported platform when the Open Beta becomes available.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Preload Dates
Preloading allows players to download the Beta before the servers officially open. This is especially important for players with slower internet connections or limited download windows.
| Beta | Preload |
|---|---|
| Early Access Beta | August 20 at 9:00 AM PT |
| Open Beta | August 26 at 9:00 AM PT |
Players who participated in the first Beta period should not necessarily expect to download the entire build again. Additional updates may still be required before the Open Beta begins.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Platforms
The MW4 Beta is available across supported current-generation gaming platforms and PC. The Open Beta also expands availability to Nintendo Switch 2.
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC
- Nintendo Switch 2 during the Open Beta
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are not supported.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Maps
The Beta includes a selection of Multiplayer maps alongside larger-scale Ground War and Warzone content. Some maps are available during both weekends, while others are introduced during the Open Beta.
| Map | Early Access | Open Beta |
|---|---|---|
| Cachette | Yes | Yes |
| Kill Block | Yes | Yes |
| Lithium | No | Yes |
| Lotus | Yes | Yes |
| Rooftops | Yes | Yes |
| Silkworm | Yes | Yes |
| Transit 213 | Yes | Yes |
| Imjin Farmlands | No | Yes |
| Wolves Stadium | No | Yes |
| Resurgence Zodiac | No | Yes |
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Modes
The MW4 Beta modes range from traditional Multiplayer playlists to larger-scale Ground War and Warzone content.
| Mode | Early Access | Open Beta |
|---|---|---|
| Entrenched Campaign Mission | Yes | Yes |
| Domination | Yes | Yes |
| Hardpoint | Yes | Yes |
| Inflation | Yes | Yes |
| Kill Block 10v10 / 3v3 | Yes | Yes |
| Kill Confirmed | Yes | Yes |
| Mobility Course | Yes | Yes |
| Search & Destroy | Yes | Yes |
| Team Deathmatch | Yes | Yes |
| Combat Outpost Ground War | No | Yes |
| Hijack | No | Yes |
| Warzone Resurgence | No | Yes |
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Campaign Mission: Entrenched
One of the biggest additions to the Modern Warfare 4 Beta is the playable campaign mission Entrenched.
The mission is available during both Beta weekends, giving players an early look at the game's campaign experience before the complete Modern Warfare 4 release.
The Beta does not provide the complete campaign. Entrenched should therefore be viewed as a preview of the full single-player experience.
MW4 Beta Inflation Mode Explained
Inflation is one of the new Multiplayer experiences available during the Beta. The mode revolves around collecting cash and eliminating high-value targets.
- Eliminate enemies to collect cash.
- Defeat HVT Operators to steal their cash.
- The richest players become marked HVT targets.
- Survive Overtime to activate increased cash multipliers.
The result is a mode that rewards aggressive play while creating additional risk for players who accumulate large amounts of cash.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Patch Notes
Infinity Ward patched the beta several times across both weekends. These are the main changes listed in the official patch notes:
- ISO Nightshade: its head damage multiplier went up from 1.2 to 1.25 on August 28, then to 1.3 on August 31.
- Oris 8.6: its second mid damage range was shortened from 31.3–47.2m to 31.2–45.9m on August 28.
- Spawns: Hardpoint spawns were reworked to be more predictable, and Hardpoint on Rooftops was temporarily disabled because of a spawn bug.
- Score limits: Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed score limits were raised, with higher limits again on Transit 213 from August 31.
- Audio: footstep distances were adjusted to match live Warzone, and the range at which Supply Box audio can be heard was cut by roughly 50%.
For every value and bug fix, see the official MW4 Beta patch notes. Expect weapon tuning to change again at launch.
Which weapons dominated the MW4 beta
Early community testing and beta tier lists kept pointing to the same four weapons. Treat this as a snapshot of the beta rather than launch balance: Infinity Ward pushed gameplay and spawn updates during testing, and both the ISO Nightshade and the Oris 8.6 were adjusted before the beta ended.
- M4 (assault rifle): the all-rounder. Its damage, fire rate, mobility and handling worked for pushes, mid-range fights and objective play without a specialized build.
- Kastov 762 (assault rifle): harder to control but more damage per shot. Once the recoil was tamed with attachments, it held lanes and objectives at mid to long range.
- ISO Nightshade (SMG): the aggressive pick for close-range pressure on compact maps, and still strong after its beta nerf.
- Oris 8.6 (marksman rifle): very high upper-body damage that rewards precise players at medium and long range.
The best weapon on paper isn’t always the best one in a match: map design, recoil control, movement and engagement distance all change how these guns perform, and launch balancing will reshuffle the order again.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Rewards
Players can unlock exclusive rewards by leveling up during the Beta. The reward track continues during the Open Beta, allowing players to unlock additional items.
Early Access Beta Rewards
- Level 4: Through the Paces Legendary Emblem
- Level 8: First Served Weapon Charm
- Level 12: Meonjeo Legendary Weapon Sticker
- Level 16: Last Charge Legendary Calling Card
- Level 20: Dread Tiger Reece Operator Skin
Open Beta Rewards
- All Early Access rewards from Levels 4–20
- Level 23: Field Tested Epic Spray
- Level 26: Beta Rights Epic Loading Screen
- Level 30: Beta Forged Han 86 Assault Rifle Weapon Blueprint
Additional Beta Rewards
Additional rewards include Emblems, Calling Cards, a Spray, Loading Screens, a Challenge Charm, Combat Record rewards and Twitch Drops.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Download Size
Activision did not list a single beta download size for every platform. With the beta over, the useful takeaway is for launch: keep plenty of free storage available before the full game's preload opens.
Players should therefore keep additional free storage available before attempting to preload the Beta.
Modern Warfare 4 Release Date
Modern Warfare 4 releases October 23, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. Digital pre-orders also include Campaign Early Access beginning October 16.
The Beta is therefore the main opportunity to experience selected Modern Warfare 4 content before launch.
Until then, our guide to Black Ops 7 Season 5 Reloaded covers what is live now.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta PC Requirements and Security
PC players should prepare their systems before launch. Activision lists TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot as requirements for all PC players, so make sure both are enabled.
Players should also update graphics drivers, close unnecessary background applications and ensure sufficient storage space before launching the Beta.
How to Prepare for the MW4 Beta
- Preload early. Avoid waiting until the servers open to start downloading.
- Check your platform. PS4 and Xbox One are not supported.
- Confirm account access. Make sure the correct Activision and platform accounts are connected.
- Prepare your settings. Configure sensitivity, FOV, graphics and controller settings before serious matches.
- Learn the maps. Early map knowledge can provide an advantage when the player base is still learning layouts.
- Test weapons. Use the Beta to identify weapons that fit your playstyle rather than immediately copying popular builds.
- Complete challenges. Beta progression can unlock exclusive rewards.
More from Open Beta Weekend Two
COD MW4 Beta Progression System
The COD MW4 Beta progression system rewards players with XP for completing Multiplayer matches. As your Player Level increases, additional weapons, Equipment, Perks, Field Upgrades, Killstreaks, and customization options become available.
Create a Class unlocks at Player Level 4. Once unlocked, players can create up to 12 Custom Loadouts, with each loadout receiving its own Operator, weapons, equipment, Perks, Field Upgrade, and Killstreak configuration.
12 Custom Loadouts
Build specialized setups for different maps, ranges, objectives, and playstyles.
21 Operators
The Beta features 21 Operators, including military specialists and additional Vault Edition Operators.
Pick 3 Perks
Choose one Perk from each of three Perk slots to build your Operator around your preferred role.
Three Killstreaks
Equip up to three Killstreaks and build a streak package suited to your strategy.
The Beta includes 18 Perks, 17 Killstreaks, and a broad selection of Tactical Equipment, Lethal Equipment, and Field Upgrades.
Weapon Customization, Apex Attachments & Gunny
Weapon customization is one of the central parts of the Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer experience. The Beta includes 19 Multiplayer weapons across nine weapon classes, with additional weapons available through specific Default Loadouts or Campaign content.
The returning Gunsmith allows players to customize supported weapons with attachments. The Firing Range provides a controlled environment for testing recoil, handling, damage behavior, and weapon builds before entering Multiplayer.
What Are Apex Attachments?
Apex Attachments are a new weapon progression feature in the MW4 Beta. Supported weapons can unlock these powerful additions by being fully leveled, providing unique gameplay effects without occupying a standard attachment slot.
At launch, each weapon also has one Camo Track that you progress across Multiplayer, DMZ and Warzone. Our guide to MW4 mastery camos lists all nine and what Activision has confirmed so far.
What Is Gunny?
Gunny provides recommended weapon builds using attachments that you have already unlocked. For players who do not want to spend significant time experimenting with Gunsmith combinations, this provides a quicker starting point for creating a competitive loadout.
Maps, Kill Block & Ground War
The Beta features six Core 6v6 maps, covering different environments and engagement ranges. Players can expect snow-covered rooftops, shopping districts, coastal locations, rail infrastructure, and an overgrown bus depot.
Kill Block: A New Approach to Gunfight
Kill Block introduces a dynamic environment that changes every two rounds. The combat space is constructed from interconnected Slabs, creating randomized combinations that force players to adapt rather than rely on a single memorized setup.
Kill Block supports classic 3v3 Gunfight as well as a new 10v10 Gunfight variant exclusive to the Kill Block environment.
Each map combination also introduces a randomized shared loadout, meaning players must adapt their tactics to the equipment available in each round.
Ground War: Combat Outpost
Players looking for a larger-scale Call of Duty experience can enter Ground War: Combat Outpost. The Beta includes two large battlegrounds set within the Haijin region.
Combat ranges vary from open countryside to dense urban areas, creating opportunities for infantry combat, vehicle engagements, long-range positioning, close-quarter fighting, and coordinated team pushes.
One of the environments centers around Wolves Stadium and includes multi-story buildings, transit lines, tunnels, rooftops, and surrounding hillsides. Understanding rotation routes is especially important in large-scale modes because the fastest route is not always the safest route.
Mobility Course
The new Mobility Course is designed to teach players the expanded movement and combat systems introduced in Modern Warfare 4.
Players can work through guided tutorials before entering timed courses. The goal is not simply to finish the course once, but to improve movement efficiency, weapon handling, marksmanship, and completion times.
For competitive Multiplayer players, this is particularly useful because movement consistency can influence gunfight outcomes just as much as raw aim.
Warzone Resurgence on Zodiac
One of the biggest additions to Weekend Two is the arrival of Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence on the brand-new Zodiac map.
Zodiac is built around the DRC Advanced Systems drone assembly headquarters and combines indoor facilities, rooftops, tunnels, manufacturing areas, shoreline terrain, and multiple vertical routes.
The Resurgence ruleset allows teammates to redeploy while squad members remain alive. Players can also complete Contracts and eliminate opponents to influence redeploy timing.
Our Warzone Resurgence guide covers how to play around redeploys on any Resurgence map.
What the Zodiac Map Means for the Warzone Meta
The early Warzone meta on a new map is usually shaped by more than weapon statistics. Rotation routes, building layouts, verticality, loot locations, redeploy timing, and squad positioning all influence which weapons and strategies perform best.
Players should therefore avoid assuming that the strongest Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer weapon will automatically be the strongest Resurgence choice. Warzone engagement ranges and squad dynamics can produce very different weapon priorities.
MW4 Beta FAQ
When is the Modern Warfare 4 Beta?
The Modern Warfare 4 Beta is split into two periods. Early Access runs from August 21 to August 25, 2026, while the Open Beta runs from August 28 to September 1, 2026.
When does MW4 Beta Early Access start?
MW4 Beta Early Access starts August 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM PT and ends August 25 at 10:00 AM PT.
When does the MW4 Open Beta start?
The free Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta begins August 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT and ends September 1 at 10:00 AM PT.
Is the Modern Warfare 4 Beta free?
The Open Beta is free. Early Access requires an eligible preorder or qualifying Beta access code.
Do I need a MW4 Beta code?
Not necessarily. Digital preorders through supported platform stores receive automatic access. Some physical retail and promotional purchases may require a code. The Open Beta does not require a code.
Can I play the MW4 Beta without preordering?
Yes. The Open Beta does not require a preorder.
Can I play the MW4 Beta on PS5?
Yes. PlayStation 5 is supported.
Can I play the MW4 Beta on Xbox Series X|S?
Yes. Xbox Series X|S is supported.
Is MW4 Beta available on PC?
Yes. The Beta is available on PC through supported PC platforms.
Is MW4 Beta available on Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo Switch 2 joins the Open Beta beginning August 28. It was not part of the Weekend One Early Access.
Can I play Modern Warfare 4 Beta on PS4?
No. Modern Warfare 4 and its Beta are not available on PS4.
Can I play Modern Warfare 4 Beta on Xbox One?
No. Xbox One is not supported.
Is the MW4 campaign playable in the Beta?
Yes. The Entrenched campaign mission is available during both Beta weekends.
Is Warzone included in the MW4 Beta?
Yes. Weekend Two included Warzone Resurgence on the new Zodiac map.
Is Ground War in the MW4 Beta?
Yes. Ground War content including Combat Outpost becomes available during the Open Beta.
How many weapons are in the MW4 Beta?
The beta featured 19 weapons across nine weapon classes, with three more available through the Campaign mission or Default Loadouts.
Do MW4 Beta rewards carry over?
Yes. Cosmetic Beta Rewards are tied to your Activision account and will be available when Modern Warfare 4 launches. Gameplay progression, such as Player Level and unlocks, reset when the beta ended.
Final Thoughts on the Modern Warfare 4 Beta
The Modern Warfare 4 Beta gives Call of Duty players multiple ways to experience the game before launch. Weekend One provides Early Access for eligible players, while Weekend Two opens the Beta to everyone on supported platforms.
The Beta includes the Entrenched campaign mission, traditional Multiplayer modes, Inflation, Kill Block, a Mobility Course, Ground War and Warzone Resurgence content. Players can also earn exclusive Beta rewards by progressing through the available levels.
If you want to get the most from the test, preload early, check your platform entitlement, configure your settings and spend time learning the new maps and mechanics. When Modern Warfare 4 officially launches, that early knowledge can give you a useful head start.
The beta is over and Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, 2026. Any cosmetic Beta Rewards you earned will be waiting in the full game.
Editorial note: Dates, rewards, maps and modes in this guide come from Activision's official Modern Warfare 4 beta announcements published in August 2026.
