---
title: "Install a WordPress Beta Version"
description: "In This Tutorial: Install Beta Plugin Configure Beta Plugin Update WordPress If you would like to test and learn about upcoming WordPress version releases, you can update WordPress to a current Beta..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/wordpress/install-a-wordpress-beta-version/
date: 2017-11-29
modified: 2021-11-19
author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor"
categories: ["WordPress Hosting", "WordPress Tutorials"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Install a WordPress Beta Version

## In This Tutorial:

[Install Beta Plugin](#install-beta-plugin) [Configure Beta Plugin](#configure-beta-plugin) [Update WordPress](#update-wordpress)

If you would like to test and learn about upcoming WordPress version releases, you can **update WordPress** to a current **Beta Version**. WordPress Beta Versions are available by installing and configuring the WordPress Beta Tester Plugin. In this guide you will learn how to install and configure the WordPress Beta Tester Plugin, as well as update to the latest WordPress Beta Version.

**NOTE: **WordPress Beta Versions are not designed to support live websites. It is recommended that you use Beta Versions for testing purposes ONLY in a development environment. If testing with your live site, be sure to [make a backup of your database](/support/edu/cpanel/cpanel-backups/#database) before updating WordPress.

## Install Beta Plugin

Installing the Beta plugin is simple and similar to installing any other WordPress plugin. Follow the steps below to find, install and activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin.

1. [](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)[](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)[![WordPress username and password fields filled in and login button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png) [Log into your WordPress Administrative Dashboard](/support/edu/wordpress/logging-into-wordpress-dashboard/).
2. [![Plugins Add New menu option highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_plugins-add-new-menu-option.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_plugins-add-new-menu-option.png) Hover over *Plugins* and click to select the **Add New** menu option.
3. [![Keyword Search field highlighted with wordpress beta entered](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_add-plugin-keyword-search-wordpress-beta.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_add-plugin-keyword-search-wordpress-beta.png) In the *Keyword Search* field to the right, type “**wordpress beta**“.
4. [![WordPress Beta Tester plugin Install Now button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_add-plugin-install-now-button.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_add-plugin-install-now-button.png) Click on the **Install Now** button.
5. [![WordPress Beta Tester plugin Activate button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_add-plugin-activate-button.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_add-plugin-activate-button.png) Once the plugin is installed, click on the **Activate** button.

Congratulations! You have installed the WordPress Beta Tester plugin. Now follow the steps below to configure the new plugin.

## Configure Beta Plugin

Configuring the Beta plugin allows you to set which release of the beta version you would like to update to. Following the steps below you will learn how to select the option of your choice.

1. [](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)[](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)[![WordPress username and password fields filled in and login button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png) [Log into your WordPress Administrative Dashboard](/support/edu/wordpress/logging-into-wordpress-dashboard/).
2. [![Tools Beta Testing menu option highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_tools-beta-testing-menu-option.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_tools-beta-testing-menu-option.png) Hover over *Tools* and click to select the **Beta Testing** menu option.
3. [![Beta Testing options displayed](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_beta-testing-wordpress-release-options.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_beta-testing-wordpress-release-options.png) Click on the radio button next to the update stream you would like to use. **Point release nightlies** – Recommended for more stable updates **Bleeding edge nightlies** – Only recommended if you are a developer contributing to WordPress or a WordPress plugin/theme – Updates may become unstable at times
4. [![Beta Testing Save Changes button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_beta-testing-save-changes-button.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_beta-testing-save-changes-button.png) Click on the **Save Changes** button.

Now that you have selected the update stream to use, you can proceed to follow the steps in the next section to update WordPress to the Beta Version.

## Update WordPress

Follow the steps below to update WordPress to the Beta Version release you have configured.

1. [](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)[](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)[![WordPress username and password fields filled in and login button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-login-screen.png) [Log into your WordPress Administrative Dashboard](/support/edu/wordpress/logging-into-wordpress-dashboard/).
2. [![WordPress Dashboard Updates menu option highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_updates-menu-option.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_updates-menu-option.png) Click on **Updates** from the left-side menu.
3. [![WordPress Updates Update Now button highlighted](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-updates-update-now-button.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/wordpress_beta-tester_wordpress-updates-update-now-button.png) Click on the **Update Now** button.

Congratulations! You now know how to use the WordPress Beta Tester plugin to update WordPress to a beta release version.