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New Diablo 3 PTR: Release Date Window, How to Join, Copy Character

Everything about the new, latest Diablo 3 PTR to test Season 28 content, including the release date window, how to join, and how to copy a live character over.
New Diablo 3 PTR: Release Date Window, How to Join, Copy Character

Before every new season of Diablo 3 comes a Public Test Realm (PTR) phase, where Blizzard allows players to test out the new content and provide feedback. With the PTR for Diablo 3 Season 28 beginning soon, Nephalem across Sanctuary are eager to jump in.

This guide outlines the expected release date window for Diablo 3 Season 28's PTR phase, alongside how you can join in on the action right away and copy one of your live characters over, so let's get started.

Update on 9 May 2023: We've updated this article with the latest Diablo 3 Season 28 PTR information. The new PTR for Season 28 has ended and the Rites of Sanctuary has been released. 
Learn more about Diablo 3 Season 28 with our dedicated guides!

Diablo 3 Season 28 PTR Release Date Confirmed

Diablo 3 new latest season PTR release date launch public test realm how to join content copy character over
Find out when the new PTR for Diablo 3 Season 28 content is expected to begin. (Picture: Blizzard)

The exact release date for the Diablo 3 Season 28 PTR to begin is 31 January 2023!

How To Join New Diablo 3 Season 28 PTR

Diablo 3 new latest season PTR release date launch public test realm how to join content copy character over
Deckard Cain knows all too well how to join the latest Diablo 3 PTR, and with this guide, so can you! (Picture: Blizzard)

First and foremost, you will have to have a Diablo III game license attached to your Battle.net account. This account needs to be in good standing. 

With that information in mind, follow the steps below to join the Diablo 3 PTR for Season 28 once it launches.

  • Step 1: Restart the Battle.net desktop app.
  • Step 2: Navigate to the Diablo III tab on the left-hand menu.
  • Step 3: On the Diablo III screen, there is a drop-down menu right above the "Play" button (note that this may say "Install" if you do not have Diablo III currently installed). Select "PTR: Diablo III" from this drop-down menu before proceeding.
  • Step 4: Click Install to begin the installation process.

Your PTR account will be created automatically if you do not already have one. PTR testing for the new Diablo 3 season is only available on PC.

How To Copy Diablo 3 Characters to the Latest PTR?

Diablo 3 new latest season PTR release date launch public test realm how to join content copy character over
Copying a live character over to the Diablo 3 PTR for the latest season doesn't have to be a headache. (Picture: Blizzard)

You can also only copy a Diablo 3 character to the PTR every 24 hours. Follow the official steps below to copy a Diablo 3 character to the Season 28 PTR.

  • Step 1: Log into the live game and then log out.
  • Step 2: Log into PTR client and create a level 1 character. After you're done, return to the main character screen.
  • Step 3: Click on the "PTR Copy" button located in the upper right-hand corner. (The PTR Copy button will not appear in-game until you have created a new level 1 character.)
  • Step 4: Select your region.
  • Step 5: Click "Copy." This will copy all characters on your account from the selected region.
  • Step 6: You will be disconnected from the PTR client.
  • Step 7: Log back in. Your copied characters will be available for play.

Remember, if you copy characters from a different region, previous PTR characters will be lost. Take this into account if you plan on copying a live character over to the PTR for Diablo 3 Season 28. 

We will endeavor to update this article once more information about Diablo 3 Season 28's PTR becomes available, so you can test out the new content by joining in after copying your character over. Stay tuned, Nephalem!