Chrome Story

How to Update Your Chromebook

Chromebooks receive a new version of Chrome OS once every six weeks. To update a Chromebook all you have to do is to keep it connected to WiFi, let the update download and install and then restart the Chromebook to apply the changes. This article explains this process in detail.

Downloading Chromebook Update

Chrome OS, the operating system that powers your Chromebook gets a new version once every six weeks. If you keep your Chromebook connected to WiFi, this will be downloaded automatically in the background.

To trigger the download or to check if there is a download waiting for you:

Time needed: 3 minutes

Check Chromebook download.

  1. Open the Settings app

    Open the Chrome OS Settings app.

  2. Click About Chrome OS

    Click About Chrome OS from the left pane.

  3. Click “Check for updates”

    If a new version of Chrome OS is available it will start downloading automatically. Click Check for updates to check again.

  4. Restart Chromebook.

    When the download is complete, click “Restart” to reboot the Chromebook and apply the changes. You might also see this notification in your notification area.

What is the Latest Version of Chrome OS?

To find out the latest Chrome OS version, check “cros – Stable” here.

Stable Version of Chrome OS

Common Issues with Chromebook Update

If your Chromebook is not updating to the latest version, here are a few things that you can try:

  • Ensure that your Chromebook isn’t End of Life.
  • Make sure that you are connected to WiFi. If you are using a mobile LTE connection, Chrome OS may not download the update.
  • Restart your Chromebook and check for the update again.
  • Check the official community forum for any known issues with your Chromebook model.
  • Reset (Powerwash) your Chromebook.

How Often Do You Get Chrome OS Updates?

Google updates Chrome OS very regularly. You will get a new version every six weeks. This is for the Stable channel.

Stable Channel – Every Six Weeks

Stable Channel, as the name suggests is the stable version of Chrome OS that is intended for regular use. Your Chromebook will a new version of Chrome OS every six weeks.

According to the official Google documentation, the Stable channel is updated every 2–3 weeks for minor changes, and every 6 weeks for major changes.

Beta Channel – Every Two Weeks

The beta version of Chrome OS is called the Beta channel. You can switch to the Beta channel from the Settings app. This version updates roughly every two weeks.

You will get new and upcoming features one month ahead of the Stable channel.

Dev Channel – Once or Twice Weekly

The Dev channel is less stable compared to the Beta channel. This version is not recommended for daily use or on your primary device.

The Dev channel updates once or twice weekly. This version is intended for developers to test their extensions and applications against the upcoming versions and features of Chrome OS.

Canary Channel – Daily

This is the most bleeding edge version of Chrome OS. This is highly unstable and might even break your Chromebook. This is where we at Chrome Story spend most of our time because new features show up on the Canary channel first.

If you are a Chromebook fan or enjoy experimenting with the latest versions of software, this is worth exploring. However, do not use your primary device for testing.

Chromebooks in the Canary channel receive updates almost every day.

Hope you find this guide useful. Share your questions in the comments section.

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