Google has released a Beta Chrome for iOS, as expected, and is not available as usual from the App Store. It’s available from Apple’s TestFlight app, and here we take a closer look at what is offered with the Chrome Beta on iPhone and Android and how you can get it today.
Google Chrome, as we know, is the number one browser in both the iOS app store and the Google Play store. But for those of you who want more features, you can test Chrome Beta Engine and get new updates first.
Whether you use an iPhone or Android device, the Chrome Beta join process is different. It’s actually quite easy on Android, though, so you have to pick and choose the right beta for what you want to get pre-everyone features. For iPhone users, it’s more difficult and requires patience.
Installing Chrome Beta browser on Android
Believe it or not, there are actually three “beta release channels” for Google Chrome on Android: Beta, Developer, and Canary. It will offer all of these features that a regular Chrome user will not be able to access, such as Material Design 2. Which version you choose, however, depends on your willingness to go to the new features.
Beta releases are released almost once a week, but major updates come once every six weeks. For slightly faster updates, the Developer channel is right for you, but it’s generally less stable than Beta. The least stable channel is “Canary”, the perfect place for the latest features – but the browser is really unstable. The chances of a collision are very high.
Installing a Chrome Beta browser on iPhone
With privacy in mind than ever before, Apple is completely bound by third parties that allow audiences to “test” beta versions of their apps without controlling the entire process. Consequently, you will not find Chrome Beta listed on the App Store. Instead, you should install it via TestFlight.
If you don’t know already, TestFlight is a specialized app that handles all matters related to the app’s experience (invitations, installations, updates, comments, etc.).
Besides, getting Chrome Beta also has a huge downside. Install it, and it will replace the stable build on your iPhone or iPad. If you plan to use the stable and beta versions side by side, you will not be able to. If not all of these problems, then it is time to start.
Install TestFlight
As mentioned above, TestFlight must be installed to start. It is easy to install. Head to the App Store and search for TestFlight, then click Install to install it. After that, you are ready to go.
Alternatively, use the download button above if you want to bypass the search hassles in the app.
Get an invitation
Installing an app beta via TestFlight requires an invitation from the app’s developer. However, you don’t have to do anything crazy to get the Chrome Beta invitation because Google is so generous when it comes to handing it over.
All you have to do is go to the official Google Chrome Beta page using any web browser on the iPhone or iPad and then click the Download Chrome Beta button. The Chrome Beta Invitation must be triggered automatically within the TestFlight app.
Accept Beta Chrome
The Chrome Beta invitation must be accepted before you can proceed. This will allow Google to access any crash records and usage information related to Chrome Beta. This helps Google improve the stable version later.
Install Chrome Beta on iPhone
After accepting the Chrome Beta invitation, a popup window will appear with the install button. Click on it to start installing Chrome Beta.
If you have a stable browser version installed, you will be asked for a warning about overwriting your data. However, as long as you are signed in to your Google Account and sync your bookmarks, passwords, settings, etc., you don’t have to worry about losing it.
But if you haven’t already synchronized your data, do so now before clicking the install button. Otherwise, your data will be lost.
Use Chrome Beta
Chrome Beta should look exactly the same as the stable version. Since the trial version is usually just one release cycle before the stable build, don’t expect any radical aesthetics. But you should see additional new features and other slight visual changes when new Chrome Beta updates arrive on your iPhone or iPad.
Note: You can launch Chrome Beta using the TestFlight app or by clicking the Chrome icon on the home screen. If you are signed in to the stable version, you will be automatically signed in to Chrome Beta while all your data remains intact. Syncing data to your Google Account will work just as before.
Updating Beta Chrome on iPhone
To update Chrome Beta, you must use the TestFlight app. If you turn on notifications for TestFlight, you’ll receive an alert when a new update is available.
But if the notifications are turned off, just run the TestFlight app, then click Install next to Chrome if you see an available update. An alternative way to check for updates faster is to make a Haptic Touch gesture on the TestFlight app icon and then continue by clicking Update All.
Send feedback
TestFlight will automatically collect different data regarding the use of Chrome Beta – crash logs, for example. Alternatively, you can send feedback to Chrome developers. Open the TestFlight app, then click Send Feedback to send a report with or without any accompanying screenshots.
Remove Beta Chrome
If you want to downgrade to the stable version of Chrome for iOS, just search for it in the App Store and click Install. This will replace the trial version automatically. You can also choose to delete the app completely.
However, it is much better to pre-unsubscribe from the beta, which will then turn off any Chrome Beta notifications on your iPhone or iPad. To do this, open the TestFlight app, select Google Chrome, and click Stop Test.