Using X-Plane 11 Betas
The X-Plane beta updates are for users who want to help test the newest refinements to the X-Plane software. The advantage to doing so is that these users get access to the latest enhancements to the software (flight model refinements, new features, etc.). The downside is that there is a greater risk of encountering problems with third-party models or other general bugs.
We recommend that most users stick to the stable version releases, as these are the ones known to “just work.”
- Public betas are not finished builds. They have bugs! They may not work right. They may crash. Working on your airplane with a public beta may destroy your airplane.
- Do not opt into the beta program if you want to enjoy X-Plane. Do not use the public beta and then complain that the sim crashes, is unstable, is slow, or looks ugly. Do not use the public beta unless you need to test the beta.
- If you don’t know what a beta is or don’t know how the beta program works, your best bet is to wait, ignore the beta, and keep using your current version. Everyone gets the new patch once it is finalized and out of beta.
How to Get a Public Beta
Laminar Research Customers
When a public beta is available, run the X-Plane installer/updater and pick “update”; then check the “Check for new Betas” check box.
If you already have the beta, X-Plane will prompt you when new betas become available. If you have a released non-beta build, you will not be notified until the new patch is finalized and out of testing.
We recommend you keep a copy of the current shipping version as well as the beta. Rolling back to the non-beta version may require you to acknowledge dozens of file overwrites. It is usually easier to keep two copies than to go back and forth between the beta and the current shipping version.
If you only have one copy and you decide you do not want to use the beta, simply:
- Run the installer/updater.
- Pick “update”
- Uncheck “get betas”
- When prompted to keep or overwrite modified files, pick “overwrite”. (WARNING: if you have your own modifications, do not pick overwrite for your own mods. This is only an issue if you have add-ons that modify x-Plane system files.)
Steam Users
Steam users have access to all of the X-Plane 11 betas. They are available immediately, or with a short delay once Laminar Research confirms they are fully functioning.
To opt into X-Plane betas in Steam:
- Launch Steam
- Right click on X-Plane 11 in the Library
- Select “Properties”
- Click on the “Betas” tab and change the drop down to “unstable_public_beta – Unstable Pre-Release” to get the very newest betas as soon as they’re released.
Or:
- Click on the “betas” tab and change the drop down to “public_beta – Public Beta” to get betas on a 24-48 hour delay, after they’re confirmed to be fully functioning.
If you decide you no longer want to use the beta, simply follow the same steps above and change the Betas tab drop down to “NONE” to opt out of betas and return to the stable shipping version.
Where To Report Bugs
Please do not report bugs by email. Please use our bug report form to report bugs. We do not read the various X-Plane community forums; if you write up a bug on a forum and do not file a bug, we will not know about it and it will not be fixed. Please use the bug report form!
Please review these guidelines for how to file a helpful bug report. Then use the bug report form to report bugs.
Release Notes
See the Release Notes page for more information on what changed with each beta release.
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