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Genshin Impact 4.4 pre-installation is now live, allowing you to download files from the upcoming patch to play it quicker on release day. Genshin 4.4 brings the Lantern Rite Festival event, along with plenty of freebies and new characters.

Pre-load is live for iOS, Andriod, and PC ahead of the official release on Wednesday. The update, called Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze, is bringing about Cloud Retainer as a playable character called Xianyun.

Genshin Impact 4.4 releases this January, while you’re here you should also check out the Genshin Impact codes page to claim all freebies you can before the new update. Now, on to the Genshin Impact 4.4 pre-installation.

Genshin Impact 4.4 pre-installation date and size

Cloud Retainer in the new area in Genshin Impact (Image by VideoGamer)

Genshin Impact 4.4 pre-installation starts January 29, and the size of the download will vary based on your platform. HoYoverse confirmed the start of the pre-load in this blog post. Mobile devices are looking at around 3GB for iOS and Android, while the PC version is more substantial at 13GB. We’ve put together this handy table to display the download sizes for each platform.

Platform Pre-load size
Windows PC 8.08 GB (16.67 GB to unzip)
iOS 2.80 GB
Andriod 3.12 GB

As ever, Genshin Impact pre-load is not possible on PS4 or PS5, so you will have to wait until the official release to download patch 4.4.

How to pre-install Genshin Impact updates

A screenshot of Genshin Impact 4.1 pre-load and how to do it in the menu.
Preloading the next update in Genshin Impact (Image by VideoGamer)

To pre-install Genshin Impact, all you need to do is select the relevant option in the menu. If you’re on mobile, you can do this by going to Settings, tapping on Resources, and then selecting Pre-Install Resources Package. This will bring up a new screen where you will see the download size and begin pre-downloading the files for Genshin Impact 4.4. 

How to pre-install Genshin Impact 4.4 on PC

If you do this on a PC, you will see the option to pre-install when you boot up the Genshin Impact launcher. Click on the option and the download will begin, making it easier for you to download the rest of the files when Genshin Impact 4.2 releases.

That’s all you need to know about the Genshin Impact 4.4 pre-load. If you want more Genshin, read our guides covering how to claim the daily check-in reward and a breakdown of Genshin’s gacha and Pity system.