android_webview/docs/prerelease.md - chromium/src - Git at Google

 # Try out WebView Beta, Dev, or Canary

 Using a pre-release channel of WebView allows you to test new, upcoming features
 and enhancements to WebView. This is especially useful for Android app
 developers who use WebView in their apps.

 [TOC]

 ## Which channel do I want?

 Like [Chrome](https://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel), WebView
 has four release channels:

 - Stable channel
   - Installed and updated by default on every Android device with WebView
   - Fully tested; least likely to crash or have other major bugs
   - Updated every 2-3 weeks with minor releases, and every 6 weeks with major
     releases
 - Beta channel
   - Available on Android 5 (Lollipop) and later
   - Tested before release, but not as extensively as stable
   - One major update ahead of stable, minor updates every week
 - Dev channel
   - Publicly available on Android 7 (Nougat) and later
   - Two major updates ahead of stable, representing what is actively being
     developed
   - Updated once per week
   - Minimally tested
 - Canary build
   - Available on Android 7 (Nougat) and later
   - Released daily
   - Includes the latest code changes from the previous day
   - Has not been tested or used

 If you're looking for a specific of version of chromium, the latest versions
 released to each channel can be found on [Chromium
 Dash](https://chromiumdash.appspot.com/releases?platform=Android). WebView and
 Chrome for Android always release together on all OS levels.

 On Android 7 (Nougat) and later, you can install multiple channels at the same
 time. This allows you to play with our latest code, while still keeping a tested
 version of WebView around.

 ## How do I try a pre-release channel?

 Steps depend on your version of Android:

 ### Android 10 (Q)

 Pre-release channels must be downloaded and installed as separate apps, but only
 one must be chosen to provide the system's WebView implementation at any given
 time.

 *** note
 WebView pre-release channels are independent of Chrome in Android 10 and later.
 Chrome can no longer be used as a WebView implementation in Android 10.
 ***

 1. Download a pre-release channel of WebView from the play store, available here:
    - [WebView Beta](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview.beta)
    - [WebView Dev](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview.dev)
    - [WebView Canary](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview.canary)
 2. Follow the [steps to enable Android's developer options
    menu](https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/dev-options)
 3. Choose Developer Options > WebView implementation (see figure)

    ![The "WebView implementation" menu](/android_webview/docs/images/webview_implementations_menu_10.png)

 4. Choose the channel that you would like to use for WebView

 #### Returning to stable WebView

 1. To return to WebView stable, select "Android System WebView" again in the
    WebView implementation menu

 ### Android 7 through 9 (Nougat/Oreo/Pie)

 Pre-release channels must be downloaded and installed as separate apps, but only
 one must be chosen to provide the system's WebView implementation at any given
 time.

 1. Download a pre-release channel of Chrome from the play store, available here:
    - [Chrome Beta](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrome.beta)
    - [Chrome Dev](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrome.dev)
    - [Chrome Canary](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrome.canary)
 2. Follow the [steps to enable Android's developer options
    menu](https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/dev-options)
 3. Choose Developer Options > WebView implementation (see figure)

    ![The "WebView implementation" menu](/android_webview/docs/images/webview_implementations_menu.png)

 4. Choose the Chrome channel that you would like to use for WebView

 #### Returning to stable WebView

 1. To return to WebView stable, select Chrome again in the WebView
    implementation menu

 ### Android 5 or 6 (Lollipop/Marshmallow) and Android TV

 Only one installation of WebView is allowed, but users can opt to receive the
 latest beta updates from the Play Store.

 1. [Join the beta tester program on Google
    Play](https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.google.android.webview)
 2. On your device, update Android System Webview [in the Play
    Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview)
 3. When the Play Store finishes updating, you will be using WebView beta!

 #### Returning to stable WebView

 1. [Leave the tester
    program](https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.google.android.webview)
 2. Uninstall all updates by visiting Settings > Apps > Android System WebView >
    Three dots menu in the top right > Uninstall updates
 3. [Visit the Play Store
    page](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview)
    one more time to install the latest updates to WebView stable, which will
    include important security fixes.

 ### Android 4.4 (KitKat) or earlier

 WebView does not receive updates on these versions of Android, so the
 pre-release channels of WebView are not available.

 ## Reporting problems with pre-release WebView

 Any WebView-related bugs can be filed
 [here](https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/entry?template=Webview+Bugs).

 To best enable us to resolve the issue, please ensure you provide all of the
 information requested in the bug report template.

 ## Command line tools

 Choosing your WebView implementation on Android 7 (Nougat) or later can also
 be done using adb, instead of the Settings UI:

 ```shell
 adb shell cmd webviewupdate set-webview-implementation <packagename>
 ```

 Package names are as follows:

 |App name                    |Package name                            |
 |---------------------------:|----------------------------------------|
 |Chrome (stable, 7/8/9 only) |com.android.chrome                      |
 |Chrome Beta (7/8/9 only)    |com.chrome.beta                         |
 |Chrome Dev (7/8/9 only)     |com.chrome.dev                          |
 |Chrome Canary (7/8/9 only)  |com.chrome.canary                       |
 |WebView (stable)            |com.google.android.webview              |
 |WebView Beta (10+ only)     |com.google.android.webview.beta         |
 |WebView Dev (10+ only)      |com.google.android.webview.dev          |
 |WebView Canary (10+ only)   |com.google.android.webview.canary       |

 ## See also
 - [WebView channels in detail](/android_webview/docs/channels.md)
 - [Chrome Release
   Channels](https://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel)
 - [WebView Release History](https://chromiumdash.appspot.com/releases?platform=Android)
	# Try out WebView Beta, Dev, or Canary

	Using a pre-release channel of WebView allows you to test new, upcoming features
	and enhancements to WebView. This is especially useful for Android app
	developers who use WebView in their apps.

	[TOC]

	## Which channel do I want?

	Like [Chrome](https://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel), WebView
	has four release channels:

	- Stable channel
	- Installed and updated by default on every Android device with WebView
	- Fully tested; least likely to crash or have other major bugs
	- Updated every 2-3 weeks with minor releases, and every 6 weeks with major
	releases
	- Beta channel
	- Available on Android 5 (Lollipop) and later
	- Tested before release, but not as extensively as stable
	- One major update ahead of stable, minor updates every week
	- Dev channel
	- Publicly available on Android 7 (Nougat) and later
	- Two major updates ahead of stable, representing what is actively being
	developed
	- Updated once per week
	- Minimally tested
	- Canary build
	- Available on Android 7 (Nougat) and later
	- Released daily
	- Includes the latest code changes from the previous day
	- Has not been tested or used

	If you're looking for a specific of version of chromium, the latest versions
	released to each channel can be found on [Chromium
	Dash](https://chromiumdash.appspot.com/releases?platform=Android). WebView and
	Chrome for Android always release together on all OS levels.

	On Android 7 (Nougat) and later, you can install multiple channels at the same
	time. This allows you to play with our latest code, while still keeping a tested
	version of WebView around.

	## How do I try a pre-release channel?

	Steps depend on your version of Android:

	### Android 10 (Q)

	Pre-release channels must be downloaded and installed as separate apps, but only
	one must be chosen to provide the system's WebView implementation at any given
	time.

	*** note
	WebView pre-release channels are independent of Chrome in Android 10 and later.
	Chrome can no longer be used as a WebView implementation in Android 10.
	***

	1. Download a pre-release channel of WebView from the play store, available here:
	- [WebView Beta](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview.beta)
	- [WebView Dev](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview.dev)
	- [WebView Canary](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview.canary)
	2. Follow the [steps to enable Android's developer options
	menu](https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/dev-options)
	3. Choose Developer Options > WebView implementation (see figure)

	![The "WebView implementation" menu](/android_webview/docs/images/webview_implementations_menu_10.png)

	4. Choose the channel that you would like to use for WebView

	#### Returning to stable WebView

	1. To return to WebView stable, select "Android System WebView" again in the
	WebView implementation menu

	### Android 7 through 9 (Nougat/Oreo/Pie)

	Pre-release channels must be downloaded and installed as separate apps, but only
	one must be chosen to provide the system's WebView implementation at any given
	time.

	1. Download a pre-release channel of Chrome from the play store, available here:
	- [Chrome Beta](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrome.beta)
	- [Chrome Dev](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrome.dev)
	- [Chrome Canary](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chrome.canary)
	2. Follow the [steps to enable Android's developer options
	menu](https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/dev-options)
	3. Choose Developer Options > WebView implementation (see figure)

	![The "WebView implementation" menu](/android_webview/docs/images/webview_implementations_menu.png)

	4. Choose the Chrome channel that you would like to use for WebView

	#### Returning to stable WebView

	1. To return to WebView stable, select Chrome again in the WebView
	implementation menu

	### Android 5 or 6 (Lollipop/Marshmallow) and Android TV

	Only one installation of WebView is allowed, but users can opt to receive the
	latest beta updates from the Play Store.

	1. [Join the beta tester program on Google
	Play](https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.google.android.webview)
	2. On your device, update Android System Webview [in the Play
	Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview)
	3. When the Play Store finishes updating, you will be using WebView beta!

	#### Returning to stable WebView

	1. [Leave the tester
	program](https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.google.android.webview)
	2. Uninstall all updates by visiting Settings > Apps > Android System WebView >
	Three dots menu in the top right > Uninstall updates
	3. [Visit the Play Store
	page](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview)
	one more time to install the latest updates to WebView stable, which will
	include important security fixes.

	### Android 4.4 (KitKat) or earlier

	WebView does not receive updates on these versions of Android, so the
	pre-release channels of WebView are not available.

	## Reporting problems with pre-release WebView

	Any WebView-related bugs can be filed
	[here](https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/entry?template=Webview+Bugs).

	To best enable us to resolve the issue, please ensure you provide all of the
	information requested in the bug report template.

	## Command line tools

	Choosing your WebView implementation on Android 7 (Nougat) or later can also
	be done using adb, instead of the Settings UI:

	```shell
	adb shell cmd webviewupdate set-webview-implementation <packagename>
	```

	Package names are as follows:

	\|App name \|Package name \|
	\|---------------------------:\|----------------------------------------\|
	\|Chrome (stable, 7/8/9 only) \|com.android.chrome \|
	\|Chrome Beta (7/8/9 only) \|com.chrome.beta \|
	\|Chrome Dev (7/8/9 only) \|com.chrome.dev \|
	\|Chrome Canary (7/8/9 only) \|com.chrome.canary \|
	\|WebView (stable) \|com.google.android.webview \|
	\|WebView Beta (10+ only) \|com.google.android.webview.beta \|
	\|WebView Dev (10+ only) \|com.google.android.webview.dev \|
	\|WebView Canary (10+ only) \|com.google.android.webview.canary \|

	## See also
	- [WebView channels in detail](/android_webview/docs/channels.md)
	- [Chrome Release
	Channels](https://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel)
	- [WebView Release History](https://chromiumdash.appspot.com/releases?platform=Android)