How much data does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare use?
With the addition of the massive multiplayer Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare now includes more players – and uses more internet data – than any of the previous Call of Duty games. If you play Call of Duty on a limited connection like fixed wireless internet or a mobile hotspot, you may need to keep an eye on how much data the game uses up.
Let’s take a closer look at how much data it takes to download, update, and play Call of Duty on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Of course, the best way to stay below your monthly data cap while playing Call of Duty is to switch to unlimited fixed 5G or 4G LTE.
Call of Duty download size
The initial game download uses much more data than updating or playing the game. Keep in mind that file size is larger than download size (which is usually compressed), and that the Call of Duty file size will increase over time as Infinity Ward releases patches and updates.
Console | File size |
Microsoft Windows | <175GB |
PlayStation 4 | 64.72 GB |
Xbox One | 148.24 GB |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is an especially large game download. If your data limit can’t handle the download, purchase the disk and install the game offline instead.
Call of Duty update size
The Call of Duty: Warzone update, launched in March, has a file size of between 18 and 22 GB. Most game updates aren’t this large or comprehensive – see the Modern Warfare Patch Notes. If you’re worried a routine update could push you over your monthly data limit, turn off auto-updates in your game settings and only download patches when you have extra data.
Call of Duty data use
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare uses about 80 Mbps of data per hour. The exact amount of data you’ll use playing the game depends on the number of players in your game mode, as well as your frame rate, the tick rate of your server, and whether you use voice chat:
- The more players in a game, the more data your local network has to share with other players. This data includes information like the location and stats of each player in the game. Multiplayer modes with more players use more data. Call of Duty: Warzone, for example, supports up to 150 players and uses about 175 MB of data per hour.
- A higher frame rate refreshes the game more often, which makes it easier to respond quickly to what’s happening in the game. A lower frame rate saves you data, but makes the game run slower. You can adjust your frame rate (measured in FPS) in your game settings. To change your frame rate, you’ll need to disable vertical synch (V-Synch).
- The tick rate of the server you play on also affects your data use. A 128-tick server, which refreshes the game 128 times every second, uses about twice as much data as a 64-tick server, which refreshes the game 64 times every second.
- If you turn off voice chat while you play Call of Duty, you’ll use less data playing the game. Voice chat can use up to 60 MB of data per hour of chat.
Upgrade to an unlimited data plan
With unlimited 5G or 4G LTE, you can spend as many hours playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as you want – even if you’re located in a rural area that doesn’t have access to cable internet. To find out more about wireless internet options for rural gamers start a chat or give us a call at 866-439-6630.