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Chrome Release Channels

Chrome supports a number of different release channels. We use these channels to slowly roll out updates to users, starting with our close to daily Canary channel builds, all the way up to our Stable channel releases that happen every 6 weeks roughly.

Channels

Windows

All channels may be run in parallel -- they install into distinct directories and use dedicated User Data directories.

Mac

Linux

Stable channel 32-bit Ubuntu/Debian

32-bit Fedora/OpenSUSE

64-bit Ubuntu/Debian

64-bit Fedora/Red Hat/OpenSUSE

How do I choose which channel to use?

The release channels for chrome range from the most stable and tested (Stable channel) to completely untested and likely least stable (Canary channel). Note, you can run the Canary channel builds alongside any other channel, as they do not share profiles with other channels. This allows you to play with our latest code, while still keeping a tested version of Chrome around.

Note: Early access releases (Canary builds and Dev and Beta channels) will be only partly translated into languages other than English. Text related to new features may not get translated into all languages until the feature is released in the Stable channel.

What should I do before I change my channel?

Back up your data!

Before you switch, you should make a backup of your profile (bookmarks, most visited pages, history, cookies, etc). If you ever want to switch back to a more stable channel, your updated profile data might not be compatible with the older version. Make a copy of the User Data\Default directory (for example, copy it to 'Default Backup' in the same location). The location depends on your operating system:

Windows XP:

  • Stable, beta, and dev channels: \Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
  • Canary builds: \Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome SxS\User Data\Default

Windows Vista, 7, 8 or 10:

  • Stable channel: \Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
  • Beta channel: \Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome Beta\User Data\Default
  • Dev channel: \Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome Dev\User Data\Default
  • Canary builds: \Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome SxS\User Data\Default

Mac OS X:

  • Stable, beta, and dev channels: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default
  • Canary builds: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome Canary/Default

Linux:

  • ~/.config/google-chrome/Default

Note:If you're using Explorer to find the folder, you might need to set Show hidden files and folders in Tools > Folder Options... > View.

Enable anonymous usage statistics

Please configure Google Chrome to send anonymous usage stats to Google. The statistics we gather have no personally identifiable information. The aggregate of all the stats for all users in a release channel really help us understand how stable the release is and how people are using any new features.

Choose [Wrench menu] > Options (Windows and Linux) or Chrome > Preferences… (Mac), go to the Under the Hood tab, and check Help make Google Chrome better by automatically sending usage statistics and crash reports to Google.

Reporting Dev channel and Canary build problems

Remember, Dev channel browsers and Canary builds may still crash frequently. Before reporting bugs, consult the following pages:

If after reading the above, you think you have a real bug, file it at http://crbug.com/new

Going back to a more stable channel