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Updating ChromeOS

ChromeOS will automatically check for updates in the background when connected to a WiFi or Ethernet connection. If an update has been found, it will automatically download the update in the background and install the update. Much of this happens without the user needing to do anything except to reboot their machine when the update has been installed. You will know if an update has been installed as there will be a notification in the ChromeOS notification center to advise you that the update has been installed, and it will have an option to reboot. When an update has been installed, it is best to save all open work and perform the reboot as soon as possible.

If you are connected to a mobile hotspot or a 3G/LTE/5G connection, automatic updates will be paused to prevent the consumption of a large amount of mobile data. You can choose to manually check for updates if you understand the implications and accept any charges from your mobile phone provider.

Unlike other operating systems, ChromeOS performs the installation of the update in the background before prompting you to reboot. This removes the need for lengthy "Installing Update" screens that are common on Windows and MacOS devices. Rebooting a ChromeOS device after an update is just as fast as if you were rebooting it on a normal day.

If you have Android support enabled on your device, a ChromeOS update will also update the Android image if an update is available at the time of the ChromeOS update. These updates are also installed in the background; however, you may notice a brief "Installing Update" screen once you are at the ChromeOS desktop.

Some ChromeOS update may also update the firmware of some of the hardware components of your device, such as the embedded controller of your keyboard or touchpad. If the ChromeOS update does include a firmware update for hardware, it may take slightly longer to install after the reboot and may require a second reboot to apply the update. This process is completely automated.

The developers of ChromeOS have put significant effort to ensure that updates just happen in the background; users rarely need to give any thought into installing updates.

Manually Checking for Updates

ChromeOS automates the update process, however, there are cases in which ChromeOS will pause updates. This is most commonly done when you are on a metered or mobile data connection. You can force an update to run by following the steps below:

  1. Open the ChromeOS Settings Application.
  2. Select "About ChromeOS".
  3. Select "Check for Updates", your device will begin the process of checking for updates and will install the update if needed.

If you are on a metered or mobile data connection, you will get a dialog asking to confirm the use of mobile data to download the update. The dialog will advise you that you may incur additional charges by your mobile phone provider if you are charged extra for data.

Update Channels

ChromeOS has four update channels available, with three being user selectable and a fourth channel that is hidden and only selectable while in developer mode by using a command line tool. Your device will always be shipped using the "Stable" channel, and it is highly advised to remain on the stable channel unless you have a specific need to change to a different release.

WARNING : Changing the channel may result in unstable builds of ChromeOS being installed to your device, Once you have changed your channel, you cannot go back to stable without performing a power wash of your device using a factory image. It is strongly advised to create a Factory Recovery Image before you change the channel to anything aside from stable.

You can change the update channel by

  1. Open the ChromeOS Settings Application.
  2. Select "About ChromeOS".
  3. Select "Additional Details"
  4. Select "Change Channel"
  5. Choose the channel you wish you move to.
  6. Once your channel has been changed, your device will automatically begin the process of downloading and installing the ChromeOS update image for the channel you selected. Once you change the channel, you cannot go back to stable without a factory image.

Update Channels can only increase and not decrease once set without a factory reset. You can move from Stable -> Beta -> Developer; however, you cannot move from Developer -> Beta or Developer to Stable without a powerwash. Any time you try to go from Canary to any lower build will require a factory installation image.

You can find more information on the possible update in the ChromeOS Guide Developer Documentation