# Beta

> A test version of the next release, published a week before it, so people can find problems before everyone updates.

Source: https://contributors.home-assistant.io/glossary/beta/

- In code: `2026.11.0b0`
- Also: betas, beta release, beta channel

The first beta of a release ends in `b0`, like `2026.11.0b0`. Fixes for problems found during the beta week come in new betas: `b1`, `b2`, and so on. From the first beta on, the release is feature complete.

Anyone can join the beta channel, under **Settings** > **System** > **Updates**. The beta release notes are on [rc.home-assistant.io](https://rc.home-assistant.io/latest-release-notes/). See [How releases work](https://contributors.home-assistant.io/releases/how-it-works/), or [test the beta](https://contributors.home-assistant.io/releases/first-contribution/) as your first contribution.

## Related terms

- [Release](https://contributors.home-assistant.io/glossary/release/): A new version of Home Assistant. One comes out on the first Wednesday of every month, with patch releases in between.
- [Patch release](https://contributors.home-assistant.io/glossary/patch-release/): A smaller release with fixes, that comes out between the monthly releases, like 2026.10.1.
- [Release notes](https://contributors.home-assistant.io/glossary/release-notes/): The blog post on home-assistant.io that tells what is new in a release, what changed, and what users need to do about it.