Beta & Dev Channels

WHAT ARE CHANNELS

Chrome OS can provide you with access to multiple development and testing channels if you are curious about upcoming features still being developed.

These are called the Beta Channel and Developer Channel and while this may sound a bit unsafe, you can rest assured that it really isn’t.

In fact, because of the way Chrome OS is built from the ground up, switching channels is not only simple, it is completely harmless.

The worst thing that can happen is the need to roll back to the Stable Channel and risk losing locally stored files in your local Downloads folder, but you can take steps to counter this - see Downloads page.

Please also be aware that if you try to use the Chrome help forums, when outside the Stable Channel, you won’t get help until you return to the Stable Channel and the same problem / situation still applies there.

HOW TO CHANGE CHANNELS

Simply open your Settings and click About Chrome OS > Detailed build information > Change channel > select your channel > Change channel and then head back to your About Chrome OS screen.

Here you will see your new update download and install. When it’s done, click the button to restart and you’ll be in your new channel in a few seconds.

Just remember, heading back a channel will always clear your local storage, so be prepared and enjoy!

Click here to see a support page at Google that explains what the different levels are and how to move between them.

Click here to see a ChromeUnboxed article from Sept 2021 called "How to switch to Chrome OS Canary" that explains what you need to do and how to switch back.

Click here to see a 9to5google article from June 2019 called "How to switch to Chrome OS Canary" that explains what you need to do and how to switch back.