PUBG Mobile 4.2 Update: Full Release Schedule and Times

PUBG Mobile’s 4.2 update is officially rolling out tomorrow on January 7, 2026, bringing Primewood Genesis-themed vehicles, an AI assistant, fresh loot, and an all-new portal mechanic.

If you’re planning to jump in, you can grab the update directly from the Google Play Store or App Store once it goes live. Some regions, like Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, are getting the patch a day earlier, on January 6.

Get ready for PUBG Mobile's 4.2 Primewood Genesis update launching January 7 | Image: Krafton

PUBG Mobile 4.2 Update Release Timing

Google Play (Android)

• Vietnam:

  • 30% rollout – Jan 6, 12:30

  • 70% rollout – Jan 6, 14:30

  • 100% rollout – Jan 6, 16:30

• Korea, Japan: 100% – Jan 6, 07:30

• Taiwan: 100% – Jan 7, 08:30

• Global:

  • 30% rollout – Jan 7, 07:00

  • 50% rollout – Jan 7, 09:30

  • 100% rollout – Jan 7, 15:30

App Store (iOS)

• Vietnam: 100% – Jan 6, 16:30

• Korea, Japan: 100% – Jan 6, 07:30

• Taiwan: 100% – Jan 7, 08:30

• Global: 100% – Jan 7, 15:30

Samsung Galaxy Store

• Korea, Japan: 100% – Jan 6, 08:00

• Global: 100% – Jan 7, 09:30

Huawei AppGallery

• Global: 100% – Jan 7, 09:30

Official Website & Third‑Party Stores

• Global: 100% – Jan 7, 15:30

For Indian players, this patch will arrive in Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) on January 13, 2026, in the morning. That means you’ll have to wait a few extra days, but the full Primewood Genesis-themed experience will be there.

Why Different Release Times?

A phased rollout might seem slow for eager players, but it’s there for good reasons. It helps developers keep server loads steady, catch early bugs, and maintain quality control before releasing the update to everyone. This ensures a smoother experience once the update is fully rolled out.

What’s New in PUBG Mobile 4.2? 

The Primewood Genesis theme transforms the battlefield with corrupted flora and ominous vegetation, creating a visually distinct atmosphere that runs until March 10.

Five locations across Erangel now feature hot drops—Pochinki, Yasnaya Polyana, Military Base, Georgopol, and Mylta. While this change makes initial gameplay somewhat safer, it might disappoint fans who thrive on immediate combat chaos.

One of the more intriguing additions is Barkle, a smart companion that players can recruit on Erangel and Livik. This AI ally assists with both offensive and defensive maneuvers during matches.

Players can also plant Buds that mature into contestable fruits in the following games, offering valuable loot and supplies to whoever claims them.

The Scorpion Horn summons the Bramblewood Scorpion, a two-seater vehicle capable of burrowing underground for temporary invulnerability while maintaining offensive capabilities. Then there is Cherry Blossom Deer — a rideable spirit-like two-seater creature for quick map traversal. It leaves a flower trail, offers high-speed mobility, and may include supportive/healing effects.

The Targeting Vines ability creates protective barriers before launching controllable vines that can restrain both enemies and vehicles, opening up tactical possibilities during engagements. Florawings offers low-altitude flight, diagonal dashes, dive attacks (AoE damage), flash teleports, and a harass mode that releases pollen to blind enemies.

Perhaps the most interesting new feature is the Prime Eye Portal, which appears at hot drop locations roughly four minutes into each match. Emerging from a massive blue gate, this portal offers a bird's-eye view of the entire map and serves as a powerful teleportation device. Players can mark their desired landing spot from above and drop in.

Metro Royale isn't being left behind, with Chapter 30 launching on January 8 and introducing the Glacix Arbiter, a new Fabled melee weapon. This weapon persists across seasons and can be gifted between friends. The mode also receives weapon balance changes, with assault rifles like the AKM and M762 getting damage buffs, while shotguns see slight reductions. Enhanced FAMAS magazine compatibility and new Vine Crates round out the Metro Royale improvements.

Season 28 arrives on January 11 with a revamped ranked system focused on rewarding consistent high-level performance rather than sporadic achievements. Players can earn customizable Season Series Medals by completing Continuous Challenges and Trial Challenges, with progress tracked through upgraded Glory Badges. The system includes tier-specific rewards from Platinum to Ace Dominator, though reaching Ace and beyond becomes more demanding, requiring multiple consecutive high-ranking performances in TPP Squad matches.

The A17 Royale Pass also launches on January 11, featuring two mythic sets: the male Feral Witch Doctor set unlocked at level 40, and the female Fragrant Motion legendary set available at level 1. Level 50 rewards players with the upgradable DP-28 "Rebel Rogue Fox" featuring elimination broadcast effects, while level 100 offers the color-changing mythic female Rebel RGF Fox outfit.

World of Wonder receives enhanced creation tools with a more flexible AI assistant, new enemies, items, and improved templates for sharing and translation. Home mode welcomes the elegant Rose Mansion style alongside a Parking Lot gameplay season. Players can participate in Home Competitions, designing and voting on creations to earn points, rewards, and potentially cash prizes.

KRAFTON has teased upcoming events, including the return of Anniversary and April Fool's items, Crazy Chicken Day celebrations, and the Skyhigh Spectacle mode.

The developer has also hinted at an upcoming collaboration on January 8, with what they're calling "an iconic series," though specific details remain under wraps for now.

What do you think about this update? Are you gonna play it tomorrow? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow Gaming Amigos on X, Bluesky, and Google News.