How to Appear Offline in CoD: Modern Warfare 2

PDF download Download Article
A guide to playing MW2 with privacy
PDF download Download Article

Are you trying to appear offline in Modern Warfare 2? There is nothing wrong with wanting to play Call of Duty alone, but appearing offline can be surprisingly difficult. Console gamers can set their console status to Offline , but their MW2 status remains unaffected. Even PC gamers can only appear offline if they purchased the game through Battle.net. Steam users cannot appear offline in Modern Warfare 2 at this time. The feature used to be available, so it could return at any point. Until it does, this wikiHow article has everything you need to know about appearing offline in MW2, including a couple clever workarounds.

Things You Should Know

  • Battle.net users can appear offline in MW2 by clicking on their status within the client and selecting Appear Offline .
  • If you are comfortable appearing offline permanently, you can add ]^4[ඞ as your clan tag in Modern Warfare 2.
  • Update your "Sign-On Visible" preferences on Activision's website to "None," preventing other users from seeing when you log on to Modern Warfare 2.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Appear Offline on Battle.net

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    net client on your PC. Sign in to your account if you have not yet already.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A drop-down menu will appear.
    • You must click on the status name - likely "Online" - specifically. Clicking on your profile icon will pull up a different menu.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Because Battle.net is owned by Activision Blizzard, the status you set here will transfer into Call of Duty, allowing you to appear offline in MW2. This is not the case for any other gaming client.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Clan Tag Workaround

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    On consoles, press the Start/Options button to open the menu. PC gamers can simply click the menu in the top-right corner to open it in full.
    • Be aware that this method is irreversible. You will only be able to appear offline in Call of Duty once you follow these steps, and you won't be able to change your clan tag in the future.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox to toggle through the different options.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open a text box in which you can enter a new clan tag.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1] Clan tags can be up to five characters. This clan tag will permanently set your MW2 profile to Offline mode, preventing your friends from finding you in the game.
    • It is not clear why this clan tag is irreversible, but users attest to the fact that it glitches out and prevents you from updating your clan tag moving forward.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Activision Preferences

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Log in to your Activision account at https://s.activision.com/activision/login . You can log in via PlayStation, Xbox, Battle.net, and Steam . You can also manually input your account info.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the profile configuration page.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It is at the bottom of the menu on the left-hand side.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This subsection includes a privacy statement from Activision, as well as a few settings you can tinker with.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Appear-Offline-on-Mw2-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    By default, this setting is set to Friends , which means that your friends will receive a notification whenever you sign in to Modern Warfare 2. Switching this to None will prevent anyone from seeing when you sign in to the game.
    • You will still technically appear online, as only your sign-in is affected by this setting.
    • Be sure to connect your Activision account everywhere you play Modern Warfare 2, allowing your preferences to transfer across all clients and/or consoles.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Acquire the Lightning Electric Bow on the Der Eisendrache Map in Call of Duty Black Ops 3
      How to
      Find the Kino Der Toten Easter Egg
      How to
      Reduce Lag in Call of Duty
      How to Escape the Torture Chair in Call of Duty: Black Ops 1
      How to
      Play Call of Duty
      How to
      Get All Perks in Call of Duty: Origins
      How to
      Play the Song "115" on Kino Der Toten in Black Ops
      How to
      Get Better at Call of Duty
      How to
      Unlock Extinction Mode in Call of Duty Ghosts
      How to
      Play Call of Duty 4 Online
      Modern Warfare 2: How to Turn Off Crossplay for Playstation & Xbox
      How to
      Trickshot in Call of Duty
      How to
      Fix Call of Duty Ghosts Crashes
      How to
      Play Call of Duty Ghosts Multiplayer
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/ModernWarfareII/comments/yhxfgg/anyone_know_how_to_appear_offline_on_mw2/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,346 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement