This extension will not only let you know if there’s a testing program available for a specific application, but also offer links to AppBrain listings, Android Police coverage of the app, and APK downloads from APKMirror. The good news is that there’s an excellent solution by way of a Chrome extension called Toolbox for Google Play Store. Still, that’s a lot of work just to see if an app even has a testing program. Tap “Join in,” then confirm in the following popup. While the company technically calls these early builds “alpha” builds, the point is still the same: they’re using Google Play’s testing program to provide access.
In turn, of course, these users are effectively testing the app for Facebook, helping the company find bugs before the build moves into the stable channel.
Facebook leverages beta channel access to allow curious users to get a glimpse of what the company is working on behind the scenes if they so choose. For the most part, however, beta channels in the Play Store work exactly as Google intended them.įor example, let’s take a look at the official Facebook app. There are some exceptions here-like Chrome, Chrome Beta, Chrome Dev, and Chrome Canary, all of which have their own Play Store listings. Instead of these beta builds running alongside their stable counterparts, however, when you enroll in a beta through the Play Store, you’re effectively opting to use the beta instead of the stable version.
RELATED: How to Get Early Access to New Android Apps and Games in the Play Store But now, Google has “beta channels” in the Play Store, making it a lot easier to give beta apps a shot. Now, it seems the foldables have taken that slot.įor now, it looks like this program applies only to Korea, but it’s very possible the program could launch in the US as well.Back in the earlier days of Android, if you wanted to beta test an application, you generally had to sideload it alongside the current stable version of the app. Previously, Samsung would launch the beta for its Galaxy S flagships first with the Note series to follow. This announcement for the One UI 4.0 beta on these devices, though, is notable because it falls in line with the Note series in years past. The One UI beta program for Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 will start soon, so please be patient. The program is simply marked as “Coming Soon” on both teasers, and Samsung’s forum post adds no additional detail, only saying (translated): Spotted by the folks over at SammyFans, Samsung has announced a One UI 4 beta program for both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 that would deliver Android 12 to both phones, but there’s no specific date at the moment.
So far, there’s no sign of the update being available in the US. The update is in line with the third beta that was released to testers on Galaxy S21 earlier this week, complete with Android 12’s wallpaper-based colors, privacy features, and the finalized AOSP code. Update 10/29: Samsung has officially opened up the One UI 4 beta program to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, starting in South Korea and India (via XDA).
Now, Samsung is preparing to add its foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3, to the Android 12 beta program. Work on Android 12 for Samsung Galaxy smartphones is moving at a shockingly quick pace, with the company this week releasing a third beta update with bug fixes and more.