Honkai: Nexus Anima Next Beta Test: Is There a Third?
No third test has been announced for Honkai: Nexus Anima. Every beta so far, what the gaps suggest, and how to be first in line when recruitment opens.
No third Honkai: Nexus Anima beta test has been announced. As of September 27, 2026, HoYoverse has run two public closed betas, the Nexus Bond Test in September 2025 and the Evolution Test in July 2026, plus a small confidential program called the Aspect Exploration Project. There is no recruitment open for a new public test, no open beta, and no release date.
This page is the one to bookmark if you missed the Evolution Test and want in next time. We cover every test so far, what the spacing between them suggests, and the exact steps that put you in position the day recruitment opens. We will update it the moment anything official lands.
Closed beta caveat. Nexus Anima is unreleased and still in development. Dates below come from HoYoverse announcements and our own coverage of each test, facts checked 2026-09-27. Anything about future tests is our reading of precedent, not an announcement, and we label it that way.
Key takeaways
- No third test announced. No recruitment survey, no dates, no name. “CBT3” is a fan label, not an official one.
- Two public closed betas so far: the Nexus Bond Test (September 17 to 23, 2025, PC and iOS) and the Evolution Test (July 9 to 27, 2026, PC, iOS and Android).
- The Aspect Exploration Project opened recruitment on April 20, 2026 as a small, NDA-bound, 18+ test with no fixed end date. We cannot confirm it is still taking testers.
- No open beta has been announced, and HoYoverse’s recent launches went from closed tests straight to launch.
- Nothing carried over. Every test so far wiped or discarded its data.
- Pre-registration is not beta access. Tests have used separate recruitment surveys, so you need to watch for the survey itself.
- Never buy beta accounts or codes. HoYoverse revokes traded access and only sends invites from its official address.
Is there a third Honkai: Nexus Anima beta test?
The short answer is no, not yet. HoYoverse has not announced a third public test, and nothing about Nexus Anima appeared in its Tokyo Game Show 2026 coverage (the show ran September 17 to 21). The gamescom 2026 demo in August was a public hands-on build, not a test with sign-ups, and it came with no news about future tests either.
The one open question is the Aspect Exploration Project. When recruitment opened on April 20, 2026, HoYoverse said it would keep the survey open and email selected testers in batches, with no fixed end date. That makes it the only test that was ever described as ongoing.
We cannot confirm whether that survey is still accepting applicants in late September. If you want to try, check the official site at hna.hoyoverse.com for an active recruitment banner. If you do not see one, assume it has closed.
Why people are searching “Nexus Anima CBT3”
The Nexus Bond Test is widely called CBT1, and the Evolution Test is the second closed beta. Fans reasonably call the next one CBT3. HoYoverse did not use CBT numbering for either test, though, and each one got its own name. Expect the next test to arrive with a new name too.
For a broader view of timing, including launch windows and store listings, see our release date hub.
Every Honkai: Nexus Anima test so far
Here is every test HoYoverse has run for Nexus Anima, in one place. Recruitment and test times are UTC+8, which is how HoYoverse publishes them.
| Test | Recruitment | Test dates | Platforms | Scale | What carried over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexus Bond Test | Aug 29 to Sep 12, 2025 | Sep 17 to 23, 2025 | PC, iOS | Closed, by selection | Nothing |
| Aspect Exploration Project | Opened Apr 20, 2026, survey kept open | No fixed end date, batch invites | PC, Android, iOS | Small, confidential, NDA, 18+ | Nothing, data not kept |
| Evolution Test | Jun 22 to Jul 3, 2026 | Jul 9 to 27, 2026 | PC, iOS, Android | Closed, by selection | Nothing, full wipe |
HoYoverse has not published tester counts for any of these, so “scale” above only describes how each test was framed.
Nexus Bond Test (September 2025)
The Nexus Bond Test was the first closed beta. Recruitment opened on August 29, 2025, the same day HoYoverse officially announced the game, and closed on September 12 at 23:59. The test itself ran September 17 to 23, 2025.
It was PC and iOS only, with no Android build. Pre-registration on the official site opened on September 13, the day after recruitment closed. That order matters: pre-registration and test recruitment were separate from the start.
Aspect Exploration Project (April 2026)
HoYoverse teased this one in February 2026 and opened recruitment on April 20, 2026. It was very different from the other two. It was small-scale, confidential under an NDA, and limited to players aged 18 and over.
It covered PC, Android and iOS, and HoYoverse said selected testers would be emailed in batches with no fixed end date. Test data was not kept. Because of the NDA, there is little public detail on what testers played, which is also why this site has no gameplay coverage from it.
The Aspect Exploration Project was a small, confidential test. Its recruitment survey was the only one HoYoverse described as staying open.
Evolution Test (July 2026)
The Evolution Test was the second closed beta and the biggest public look at the game so far. Recruitment ran June 22 at 12:00 to July 3 at 23:59, access emails went out from July 8 at 10:00, and the test ran July 9 at 10:00 to July 27 at 18:00 (all UTC+8).
It was the first test on PC, iOS and Android together, with progress synced across platforms on one HoYoverse account. There were no payments, and everything was wiped at the end. The Evolution Test FAQ and the sign-up guide are our archive of how that round worked.
In local time, the Evolution Test window looked like this:
| Time zone | Test start | Test end |
|---|---|---|
| UTC+8 (official) | Jul 9, 10:00 | Jul 27, 18:00 |
| US Eastern (ET) | Jul 8, 22:00 | Jul 27, 06:00 |
| US Pacific (PT) | Jul 8, 19:00 | Jul 27, 03:00 |
| UK (BST) | Jul 9, 03:00 | Jul 27, 11:00 |
| Japan (JST) | Jul 9, 11:00 | Jul 27, 19:00 |
The takeaway for the next test: if HoYoverse keeps a 10:00 UTC+8 start, players in the Americas get access the evening before the listed date.
The Evolution Test ran July 9 to 27, 2026 on PC, iOS and Android, and ended in a full data wipe.
What the gaps between tests suggest
This section is our reasoning from precedent. HoYoverse has not said anything about how many tests Nexus Anima will have.
The gap from the Nexus Bond Test start (September 17, 2025) to the Evolution Test start (July 9, 2026) was 295 days, a little under ten months. As of today, the Evolution Test started 80 days ago and ended 62 days ago.
Compare that with the spacing between HoYoverse’s earlier tests:
| Game | Gap between tests | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Honkai: Star Rail | CBT1 (Oct 27, 2021) to CBT2 (May 25, 2022) | 210 |
| Honkai: Star Rail | CBT2 to final CBT (Feb 10, 2023) | 261 |
| Zenless Zone Zero | Equalizing Test (Nov 24, 2023) to Amplifying Test (Apr 18, 2024) | 146 |
| Honkai: Nexus Anima | Nexus Bond Test to Evolution Test | 295 |
On that spacing, a third public test landing in late 2026 or early 2027 would fit the pattern. It would not be unusual for HoYoverse to go quiet for several months between tests, and 62 days of silence is not a warning sign on its own.
The “final test” pattern
The more useful comparison is how HoYoverse’s last three games handled the test right before launch:
| Game | Final test start | Labeled final? | Launch | Days to launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact | CBT3, Jul 2, 2020 | Yes | Sep 28, 2020 | 88 |
| Honkai: Star Rail | Final CBT, Feb 10, 2023 | Yes | Apr 26, 2023 | 75 |
| Zenless Zone Zero | Amplifying Test, Apr 18, 2024 | Yes | Jul 4, 2024 | 77 |
All three ran a test that was presented as the final one, then launched roughly 75 to 90 days after it started. ZZZ even announced its launch date on May 28, 2024, the day the Amplifying Test ended.
The Evolution Test was never labeled final. Eighty days after it started, there are no store pages, no pre-download and no date. If Nexus Anima follows the same shape, that points to at least one more test, and a launch in 2027 rather than late 2026.
Again, this is our inference from how HoYoverse ran its last three launches. It is not an announcement, and HoYoverse is free to change its approach. Our release date hub tracks the official signals as they appear.
Will there be an open beta?
No open beta has been announced for Honkai: Nexus Anima, and we would not plan around one. HoYoverse’s recent launches went from closed tests straight to launch. Genshin Impact, Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero each ran invite-only closed tests, with the last one presented as final, and then released.
Every Nexus Anima test so far has followed that model. You applied through a recruitment survey, HoYoverse selected testers, and access was tied to your account and device.
Closed beta vs open beta, in practice
| Closed beta (what Nexus Anima has used) | Open beta | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Selected from a recruitment survey | Anyone who downloads |
| Invite | Email from the official sender, or “Check Test Access” on the site | None needed |
| Device | Tied to the first device per platform | Usually unrestricted |
| Sharing | Account sharing or trading revokes access | Not applicable |
| Progress | Wiped at the end | Varies by game |
If you see a site promising an “open beta download” for Nexus Anima, treat it as a scam until the official site says otherwise. The only real builds so far have come through official recruitment or HoYoverse’s own event demos, like the one at gamescom 2026.
How to be first in line for the next test
You cannot apply for a test that does not exist yet, but you can remove every delay between the announcement and your submission. Past recruitment windows ran about two weeks, and the Evolution Test gave players 12 days. Being ready means you apply on day one with accurate details.
- Create or check your HoYoverse account. Every test so far has tied access to one account. Make sure you can log in and that the email on it is one you check.
- Pre-register on the official site. Pre-registration has been open on hna.hoyoverse.com since September 13, 2025. It does not get you into a test by itself, but the Evolution Test recruitment flow started from it. Our pre-registration guide walks through it.
- Follow the official channels. That means @HonkaiNA on X and the Nexus Anima page on HoYoLAB. Official test news has run on both.
- Whitelist the official sender. Evolution Test invites came from
notifications@official.hoyoverse.com. Add it to your contacts and make a filter so it never lands in Spam or Promotions. Our notification schedule post covers what those emails looked like. - Check your device now. Recruitment surveys ask which platform you will test on, and access has been locked to the first device you log in with. Compare your hardware against our system requirements guide before you pick.
- Answer the survey accurately. The Evolution Test questionnaire could not be edited after submission, and mismatched details disqualified testers.
Recruitment and access news for every Nexus Anima test has come through official announcement posts like this one.
Which platform to choose
Platform choice has mattered more than people expect. The Nexus Bond Test left out Android entirely, while the Evolution Test covered all three. HoYoverse has not said which platforms a future test would include. Our platforms guide tracks what is confirmed for launch: PC, iOS and Android, with no console announced.
Does beta progress carry over?
No. Nothing from any Honkai: Nexus Anima test has carried over, and you should assume the same for the next one.
- Nexus Bond Test: closed beta, no carry-over.
- Aspect Exploration Project: HoYoverse stated test data would not be kept.
- Evolution Test: no payments and a full wipe on July 27, 2026.
The practical upshot is that there is no reason to rush or grind during a test. Use it to learn the systems: how Anima Aspects and Traits interact, which Eidos you like, and how formations behave. Our tier list and team builder are built on beta data for exactly that kind of scouting.
Also expect things to change between tests. The Evolution Test added Android compared with the Nexus Bond Test, and the Bond and Evolve preview showed how much of the loop was new that round.
Signals that a new test is coming
HoYoverse has not given advance warning for past tests, so the announcement itself is the signal. Here is what to watch, from most to least reliable.
Official signals (confirmed patterns)
- A recruitment survey post on the official site, HoYoLAB, or @HonkaiNA. Both public tests were announced this way, with recruitment opening about two and a half weeks before the test started.
- A new recruitment banner on hna.hoyoverse.com. The Evolution Test survey was reached from the official site.
- A developer preview of new systems. The Bond and Evolve preview went out days before the Evolution Test.
Events worth watching (speculation)
These are guesses based on when HoYoverse tends to make news, not anything announced for Nexus Anima:
- The Game Awards in December is a common stage for trailers and dates across the industry.
- HoYoverse’s own livestreams and year-end events are where its other games often reveal what is next.
- Store listings on Steam, the App Store or Google Play. None exist yet. One appearing would suggest launch is getting close, and possibly a final test first.
Nothing on this list has been confirmed for Nexus Anima. Treat any “leaked” test date as rumour until it appears on an official channel.
Don’t buy beta access
Every test season brings sellers offering Nexus Anima beta accounts, access codes or “test installation packages.” Do not buy them.
HoYoverse has said that accounts found trading, renting or sharing test access lose it immediately. Access is also tied to the first device used on each platform, so a bought account may simply not work on your hardware. Real invites come by email from notifications@official.hoyoverse.com, and the result shown by “Check Test Access” on the official site is the authoritative one.
HoYoverse will never ask for your password or payment details by email. If a message about a Nexus Anima test asks for either, it is phishing.
Bottom line
There is no third Honkai: Nexus Anima beta right now, and no open beta. Based on how HoYoverse ran Genshin, Star Rail and ZZZ, and on the fact that the Evolution Test was never called final, we think another test before launch is likely. That is our reading, not a promise.
The best thing you can do today takes ten minutes: confirm your HoYoverse account, pre-register, follow @HonkaiNA and HoYoLAB, whitelist the official sender, and check your device against the system requirements. Then you are ready to apply on day one.
While you wait, browse the Anima dex, the Eidos database and the tier list, or plan teams in the team builder. We will update this page as soon as HoYoverse announces anything, and the release date hub has the bigger timing picture.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a Honkai: Nexus Anima beta right now?
- No. The last public closed beta, the Evolution Test, ended on July 27, 2026 at 18:00 (UTC+8). As of September 27, 2026 HoYoverse has not announced a third test. The Aspect Exploration Project, a small confidential test, opened recruitment in April 2026 with no fixed end date, but we cannot confirm it is still accepting testers.
- When is the next Honkai: Nexus Anima beta test?
- There is no date. HoYoverse has not announced another test, a recruitment window, or a launch date. The previous two public tests opened a recruitment survey about two and a half weeks before the test began, so the first sign of a new one will be a recruitment post on the official site, @HonkaiNA on X, or HoYoLAB.
- Will Honkai: Nexus Anima have an open beta?
- None has been announced. HoYoverse ran Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero through invite-only closed tests and then went to launch, so we would not plan around an open beta. Every Nexus Anima test so far has required selection through a recruitment survey.
- Does Evolution Test progress carry over?
- No. The Evolution Test had no payments and ended with a full data wipe. The Aspect Exploration Project also stated that test data would not be kept. Nothing from any Nexus Anima test so far carries over to launch.
- How do I sign up for the next Honkai: Nexus Anima beta?
- You cannot yet, because no recruitment is open. To be ready, create a HoYoverse account, pre-register on hna.hoyoverse.com, follow @HonkaiNA and the HoYoLAB page, and whitelist the official sender notifications@official.hoyoverse.com. Pre-registration alone does not get you into a test; past tests used a separate recruitment survey.
- Is Honkai: Nexus Anima CBT3 confirmed?
- No. Fans use CBT3 as shorthand for a third closed beta, but HoYoverse has not announced one or used that name. The Nexus Bond Test was the first closed beta and the Evolution Test the second. The Aspect Exploration Project ran alongside them as a small confidential test, which is why counting tests gets confusing.