It’s always important to keep your Chromebook updated with the latest version of ChromeOS. Updating ensures you get the newest features, UI changes, security updates, bug fixes, and more. Plus, when you update your ChromeOS, it automatically updates the Chrome browser too. Here’s a simple guide to help you update your Chromebook and make sure you’re always running the latest software.
You can also double-check if you’re running the latest version of ChromeOS using the ChromeOS update log. If you’re not on the newest version, just follow the guide.
How to Update Your Chromebook
By default, your Chromebook automatically checks for updates and lets you know when it’s time to apply them. These updates usually include new features, security patches, and bug fixes that help keep your Chromebook running smoothly. However, sometimes it might fail to do so. This could be due to a poor internet connection, a metered connection on your Chromebook, or issues with the update server. Luckily, there’s a way to manually check for updates. This gives you the flexibility to decide when to update your Chromebook.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to update your Chromebook across all channels, including the stable, dev, and beta versions of ChromeOS. No matter which version you’re using, you’ll be able to follow these steps to manually update your Chromebook to the latest ChromeOS version.
1. Update ChromeOS
If you’re using the stable build of ChromeOS, you can easily update it from the Chromebook settings. Just check for updates, and it’ll automatically install them. Once it’s done, simply restart your device to apply the changes.
Here are the steps to manually update ChromeOS:
1. Click on the App Launcher icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen. This will open the app drawer.
2. In the app drawer, find and click on the Settings app.
3. Once you’re in the Settings window, scroll down and look for the About ChromeOS section. Click on it to see your ChromeOS details.
4. Click Check for Updates, and your Chromebook will automatically check for any available updates.
5. If an update is available, your Chromebook will start downloading it. You’ll see the download progress in the settings window.
6. Once the update is downloaded, you’ll see a Restart button. Just click it to restart your device and apply the update.
2. Update ChromeOS to Beta or Developer Channel
The ChromeOS Beta and Dev channels include experimental features and settings that haven’t made it to the stable version yet. These channels are for users who want to try out the latest features and provide feedback before they’re fully released. That said, since these versions can be less stable, it’s important to be cautious when using them.
If you’re on the Beta or Developer channel, you can manually check for updates as well. But first, make sure you’ve selected the right channel. Once you’ve confirmed you’re on the correct one, you can follow the steps below to update your ChromeOS to the latest version.
1. Open Settings.
2. Click on the About ChromeOS tab and select the Additional details option.
3. Click on the Change Channel option and choose the channel you want to use.
4. After that, you’ll get an option to restart your Chromebook. Just restart your device to apply the changes.
5. Once that’s done, your Chromebook will start updating to the latest build on that channel. Alternatively, you can manually check for updates by going to Settings > About ChromeOS and clicking on Check for updates.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be on the latest version of the Beta or Developer channel on ChromeOS.
Install ChromeOS Update from the Notifications
If the update has been downloaded automatically to your Chromebook, it won’t install until you take action. When the update is ready, you’ll get a notification in the Chromebook shelf prompting you to restart your device and apply the update.
Here’s how you can install the ChromeOS update from the notifications panel:
1. Open the notification panel by clicking on the Update icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
2. Click Restart to Update.
This will restart your Chromebook and apply the update. However, before proceeding, make sure you have enough battery or simply plug in the charger during the update. It’s important to keep your device powered on throughout the process to avoid any interruptions that could cause problems. The update can take some time, so having your device plugged in ensures everything goes smoothly without any interruptions.
