What are RC / Beta versions? Which version am I using?

 

What's a Beta / RC version?

A Beta version contains new features and fixes that haven't been released to all Waze users yet. We share Beta versions with our trusted Beta community members so that they can provide feedback while detecting and reporting bugs. 

After the time dedicated for Beta testing is over, we create a version called an RC - Release Candidate.

An RC version usually includes fixes for the bugs found during the Beta phase. RC's are generally more stable than Beta versions. During this phase, we mostly ask our Beta community members for feedback regarding stability and to verify fixes for bugs that were previously reported.

After the RC phase is over, we prepare the Store version which is generally the same as the RC, while it often includes several more fixes which were added during the RC phase.

 The Release cycle

Before releasing a version to all Waze users around the world, we go through all the phases below:

Which version number am I using?

To find which version number you have installed, go to Settings > About > You will see the version number next to the word Release.

Am I using an RC / Beta / Store release version?

To check what type of version you're using, please see your version number in the app (as explained in the section above) and refer to the Releases section in Waze Discuss. Our release pages hold all recent releases, details about RC /  Beta, respective release notes and download links.

What do version numbers mean?

A version number indicates at which phase of the version cycle a version was released. 

To understand what the number means let's look at these 2 version numbers that were released in January 2021:

Beta - v.4.69.90.903

RC -    v.4.70.0.1

Pre-Beta group - 4.70.4.900
 

The version number includes the following sections:

	Top level	Version #	Timing	Build #
Beta	4	69	90	903
RC	4	70	0	1
Pre-Beta	4	70	4	900

 

Timing and Build indicators revolve around the version number:

In this example,  the Version # for Beta is 69, while it's 70 for the RC.

Timing for the Beta is 90 - since it's moving up and closing in on the next version # - 70.

Timing for RC is 0, since it's the beginning of a new Version #.