Test Chrome browser channels

Applies for managed Chrome browsers (Windows and Mac).

As an administrator, you might need to let some of your users test web pages and apps on upcoming versions of Chrome browser. Or, you might want to let developers test the Canary channel. By testing Chrome browser channels, you can check browser compatibility with existing systems and evaluate new features. For example, test policy changes or do regression testing.

You can run the Stable, Beta, Dev, and Canary channels of Chrome browser at the same time on Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac computers. The Beta channel gives you a 4–6 week preview of features coming to the Stable version of Chrome browser. The Dev channel gives you a 9–12 week preview. Canary is an early-release, experimental version of Chrome browser that's recommended only for advanced testing. Channels don’t share installation locations or user profiles with each other.

Step 1: Install multiple channels

Windows

1. For the Stable channel, download the Chrome bundle for Windows to get all the essential files for deployment. 
   For information about what’s in the bundle, see Download Chrome Enterprise Bundle.
2. For the channels you want to test, download the files you need to install Chrome browser:
   • Beta—Chrome Beta MSI
   • Dev—Chrome Dev online installer
   • Canary—Chrome Canary online installer
3. Download and install the ADMX or ADM template for Windows Group Policy Editor:
   • Beta–Chrome Beta Policy Template
   • Dev or Canary–Chrome Dev Policy Template
     Note: To test more than one channel at a time, you only need the Dev policy template.
4. In Group Policy, set policies for Chrome browser to align with your organization and users.
5. Deploy the Chrome browser channels on Windows computers in the test group.

Mac

1. For the Stable channel, download Chrome browser for Mac.
2. For the channels you want to test, download the files you need to install Chrome browser:
   • Beta
     Note: Beta.pkg will be released in the future.
   • Dev
   • Canary

Note: The policies that you set for the Stable channel also apply to other channels that you install on the computer at the same time.

Step 2: Test your installation

For every Chrome browser channel that you want to test:

1. On each computer in the test group, go to chrome://policy.
2. Verify that the correct policies are in effect. 
   For details, see View a device’s current Chrome policies.
3. (Windows only) If you don’t see the correct policies or settings, force a refresh of the computer's Group Policy settings:
   1. Open a command line. 
   2. Enter gpupdate /force.

Related topics 

• Chrome browser release channels
• Chrome browser quick start (Mac)
• Chrome browser quick start (Windows)
• Chrome browser Deployment Guide

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