PC preload
ConfirmedOct 15, 9 AM PT
Digital pre-purchases on PC - Battle.net, Steam and Xbox on PC.
Preload & Unlock Times
MW4 preload times and unlock hours, platform by platform
The official Modern Warfare 4 preload and unlock picture as of October 2, 2026: PC preload is confirmed for October 15, campaign early access lands October 16, and console preload windows are still unannounced - tracked here the moment they are.
Campaign early access
ConfirmedOct 16
All platforms, including Switch 2. Exact hour not published.
Full game unlock
ConfirmedOct 23, midnight local
Official wording from Activision's September 29 PC post.
PS5 / Xbox preload
WatchTBA
Not officially announced as of October 2, 2026.
Switch 2 preload
WatchTBA
Not officially announced as of October 2, 2026.
Confirmed facts only
What is officially confirmed
Release: October 23, 2026
Modern Warfare 4 launches worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam) and Nintendo Switch 2. Confirmed in the May 28 announcement and repeated in every official post since.
Full game unlock: midnight local time
Activision's September 29 PC post states: "The full game releases on October 23 at midnight local time." We will add platform-specific exceptions here only if Activision publishes any.
PC preload: October 15, 9 AM PT
"Preloading on PC only begins October 15 at 9AM PT" for digital pre-purchases, one day before Campaign Early Access. The official PC post covers Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam. Source: official PC trailer and specs post, September 29.
Campaign early access: October 16
Players who digitally pre-order or pre-purchase the Standard Digital or Vault Edition get Campaign Early Access starting Friday, October 16, planned for all platforms including Nintendo Switch 2. Officially "subject to platform availability and time zone differences".
Beta rewards carry over
Unlocked Beta Rewards become available in the full game when MW4 launches on October 23. Beta rank and weapon progression do not carry over.
PC storage: 115 GB SSD
The official PC spec sheet requires 115 GB of SSD storage. Console install sizes have not been published yet.
Preload & unlock schedule by platform
Only officially confirmed times appear here. Anything not announced by Activision is listed as TBA - not guessed.
| Platform | Game preload | Campaign early access | Full unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Battle.net / Steam / Xbox on PC) | October 15, 9:00 AM PT Official | October 16 (digital pre-purchase) | October 23, midnight local time |
| PlayStation 5 | TBA - not announced Watch | October 16 (digital pre-order) | October 23, midnight local time |
| Xbox Series X|S | TBA - not announced Watch | October 16 (digital pre-order) | October 23, midnight local time |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | TBA - not announced Watch | October 16 (digital pre-order) | October 23 (included in launch lineup) |
The midnight-local-time unlock is Activision's own wording from its September 29 PC post. Campaign Early Access is officially described as subject to platform availability and time zone differences; the October 23 launch date applies to every platform, with Switch 2 included in the official launch lineup.
Unannounced - watch list
Still waiting on official word
These are the questions searchers ask most that no official source answers yet. We refuse to publish invented times for them.
Console preload windows
No PS5, Xbox Series X|S or Switch 2 preload date or time has been announced as of our October 2, 2026 check. Media guides expect console preloads to open roughly a week before launch based on recent Call of Duty releases - that is pattern-based speculation, not a confirmed date. This page updates the moment Activision or a platform store publishes official timing.
Campaign early access unlock hour
Official posts confirm October 16 but no exact hour yet. The PC preload starting 9 AM PT on October 15 is the only clock-time officially published so far.
Day-one patch and launch build
A launch-window patch is expected but its size and timing are unannounced. Expect an additional download after preloading, as with recent Call of Duty launches.
Preload & unlock FAQ
When can I preload Modern Warfare 4?
PC players who digitally pre-purchase can preload starting October 15, 2026 at 9 AM PT - the official PC post covers Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam. PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 preload dates have not been officially announced yet as of October 2, 2026.
What time does Modern Warfare 4 unlock?
Activision states the full game releases on October 23, 2026 at midnight local time. Campaign early access for digital pre-orders begins October 16.
When does Modern Warfare 4 campaign early access start?
Campaign Early Access starts Friday, October 16, 2026 for players who digitally pre-order or pre-purchase the Standard Digital or Vault Edition, planned across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. An exact unlock hour has not been published.
Do I need to pre-order Modern Warfare 4 to preload it?
On PC, preloading on October 15 requires a digital pre-purchase. Console preload requirements have not been announced yet, though recent Call of Duty launches limited preloading to digital pre-orders.
How big is the Modern Warfare 4 download?
The official PC spec sheet requires 115 GB of SSD storage. Console install sizes have not been published yet, and a launch patch may add to the download.
How to be ready for October 16
01 Pre-order a digital edition - Campaign Early Access on October 16 requires a digital Standard or Vault Edition purchase.
02 On PC, preload opens October 15 at 9 AM PT through Battle.net, Steam or Xbox on PC once your pre-purchase is on the account.
03 Reserve at least 115 GB of SSD space on PC; keep headroom for a launch patch on every platform.
04 For PS5, Xbox and Switch 2, watch your platform store - preload goes live there once Activision announces it.
Digital pre-order steps and edition differences are covered in the editions breakdown; the campaign content itself is tracked on the campaign page.