Are you the kind who likes using cutting edge technology?
Beta testing is a term used by developers for the final testing of a software product. Usually, selected people get the chance to use a program before the general public.
Although, in the case of Chrome, you can be the beta tester anytime you want. Yes, Chrome provides the browser in 4 categories, i.e., Stable, Beta, Dev, and Canary.
The stable version is what the general public use. For the geeky ones, there are remaining three. The Beta version consists of all the new features that would make an appearance in the stable version.
Google lets you test the features for any unstable behavior before launching it on a full scale.
Let us dig into it and find out what else the Beta version carries for us.
Table of Contents
How to Install Chrome Beta Version
On Desktop
To use the beta version on your desktop, you have to go to the Chrome Beta homepage.
The website can detect your OS version and will suggest the best option automatically. The latest Chrome Beta version is available for Mac OS X 10.10 or later, Windows 7 & above for 32 and 64-bit versions, and Linux.
Install the setup after downloading by agreeing to the terms and conditions. The Chrome beta version operates differently from the stable version so that you can have both of them active at the same time.
On iOS:
To test apps on iOS, you have to install Testflight first. Testflight is a dedicated portal for developers to test iOS apps before launching them to the general public. You can report bugs and give your valuable feedback to the developers.
Once you install the Testflight application, Go to the Chrome Beta homepage and install the Chrome Beta app.
On Android:
Android makes it quite simple for the users to be the beta tester program. Go to the play store and download Chrome Beta on your Android device quickly.
On Chromebook:
Chromebook operates slightly different from the regular laptop and mobile devices. You need to switch the whole channel if you want to use Chrome Beta on your Chromebook.
You need to be the owner of the account to make any changes. Therefore, it won’t be possible to switch accounts if your school or organization controls the admin account.
Once you have the owner account logged in. Follow the steps to change to the Beta channel.
- Firstly, select the time at the bottom-right corner and click on “Settings.”
- Then, select “About Chrome OS” from the bottom-left corner.
- Go to Additional details.
- Here, you will find an option to change the channel in front of “Channels.”
- Select the Beta channel and hit “Change Channel.”
Then, Chromebook will download the installation file and ask you to restart the system. You have to choose the option of “Change channel and Powerwash” to switch to the Beta version. Then, select “Relaunch and Powerwash” after the update is installed.
Remember, switching channels in Chromebook demands you to reset your device. Therefore, you will lose anything stored locally, like photos, documents, settings, and more. Once you have installed the new channel, you would require to log in again into the Chromebook.
Why Use Chrome Beta?
Chrome Beta is an advanced version of Chrome for the users. It can be unstable at times, given that the code isn’t perfect.
Chrome Beta consists of the second last version of code before the update is available to the public. It is not the exact representation of how the stable version will look, but it is the closest you can get. The experimental features that get the green flag in the Beta version appear in the Stable version.
Some of you might benefit from your work with the extra functionality of Chrome Beta. Others might like to experience the coming world beforehand. Here are a few use cases to give you more ideas about how you can benefit from Chrome Beta.
IT Departments
If you are working in an IT giant company, you might know how much trouble a single day of setback can cause. Therefore, IT guys have to continually check if the new version of Chrome will interrupt their process. They verify if their tools are compatible or causing any glitches in the working. Chromedriver usually automates the process.
Developers
Web developers can benefit a lot from Chrome Beta. Since Chrome often releases impressive frontend and backend updates, you can try and see how your website or web app works with them. So, you have the upper hand in terms of compatibility than your competitors. It can also help you eliminate any occasional bugs that might appear on your website because of the update. Thus, you can take care of it in advance.
Personal Users
If you are using Chrome for your personal use only, you can still use the Beta version. Apart from providing developers an edge by providing updates in the dev tools, Chrome also tests visual features in the Beta version. It is the best opportunity for you to try new features before it becomes mainstream.
How Chrome Beta is Different from Chrome Canary
The significant difference between Chrome Beta and Canary is its proximity to the Stable release. You can expect a few bugs and instability in the Beta version, but it is often stable. However, Canary is meant to be unstable and full of bugs.
Canary is the first place where you can look for the latest developments in Chrome. It is updated every night, and there is no stable update available for Canary.
On the other hand, Beta is the last step before the codes make it to the stable version. Chrome updates the Beta version every week, and a major update comes every six weeks.
If you are a developer or a techie, you can use the Beta version as your default browser. However, you can not make Canary your default browser. It contains a lot of bugs and also security issues.
Although, you get to know about the latest features before anyone else in Canary. Many of them do not make it to the stable version. In contrast, almost features from the Beta version end up in the Stable version unless a major issue arises.
TLDR; Chrome Beta
Chrome is available for general users in four versions ,i.e., Stable, Beta, Dev, and Canary. For those who like to use the latest features before anyone else, you would love Chrome Beta. It contains all the new features which haven’t made an appearance in the Stable version of Chrome. You can try them out and check for any bugs by being the beta tester.
Developers can use it to make their websites and web apps compatible with the new release before the general public starts using it. In a nutshell, Chrome Beta keeps you ahead of regular users by letting you use the latest features.
We have mentioned how you can use Chrome Beta on various devices in this article. Try it out and share your experience in the comment below.
