ChromeOS: How to switch between Stable, Beta, and Dev channels
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Chromebooks are capable and easy-to-use devices that run Linux-based ChromeOS on the software front.The best Chromebooksoffer premium builds and receive operating system (OS) updates for many years. Chromebook updates are mainly released in Stable, Beta, and Developer channels. you’re able to switch between these channels to access the newest features while they’re being finalized. However, each channel offers a different mix of new features and stability. This guide details the ChromeOS channels available to you and how you can try them out.
What ChromeOS channels are there?
ChromeOS offers three channels: Stable, Beta, and Dev. The Stable channel is the typical ChromeOS channel that most people use. The ChromeOS team at Google tested all the features on this channel to make sure they work properly. It’s also the best channel to minimize issues and bugs on your device. Major updates come to this channel approximately every four weeks, and minor enhancements come every two to three weeks.
The Beta channel is the next step toward bleeding edge features. This channel has new features before the ChromeOS team vets them thoroughly. If you want to try features before the public but don’t want them to be totally untested, the Beta channel is for you. The Beta channel gets major updates every four weeks. Updates come more than a month before the features go to the Stable channel.
The final and least stable channel is the Dev channel. The Dev channel is the best way to try out the newest ChromeOS features as soon as possible. This channel is aimed at developers, so it has a lot of bugs but gets the latest features the quickest. Updates come out once or twice a week to add new features and fix bugs. Now that we’ve looked at the available channels, let’s look at how to see which channel you’re on.
How to check what ChromeOS channel you’re on
If you’ve been switching channels and are trying to pick the right experience, it might help to see the channel you’re currently on.
Now that you know what channel you’re on, let’s look at how to change your channel.
How to change your ChromeOS channel
Changing channels is easy whether you want to try new features or switch to a more stable experience.
If you’re currently on the Stable channel and are changing your channel, your Chromebook downloads an update and then restarts to install it.
The process is a little more complicated if you are currently on the Beta or Dev channel. Make sure you back up all your data before initiating a channel change. To switch to a more stable channel, yourChromebook must undergo a Powerwash, which erases all the data on the device. When this Powerwash is finished, your device restarts with the update installed.
How long will my Chromebook get updates?
The length of the support period varies for every Chromebook. Certain ChromeOS laptops launched after 2020 aresupported for eight years. Google also announced that starting next year, Chromebooks released in 2021 and beyond will receivea decade of automatic updates. If you own an older Chromebook, you could opt in for the new update policy after receiving your last automatic update.
Google lets you check until what date your device will get automatic updates on itsauto update policy resource. You can also head to your Chromebook’s settings to check its update schedule.
It’s time to change the (ChromeOS) channel
Chromebook channels let you have the experience you want, whether that’s the most stable, bleeding edge, or somewhere in between. But switching between release channels is only one way of customizing your experience. Explore thesetips and tricks on your Chromebookto know what else it has up its sleeve.
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