How do I switch between different browser versions for testing?
Switch Browser Versions During Active Sessions
Testing across fragmented browser markets often requires maintaining a complex infrastructure of virtual machines and physical devices.
Developers and QA teams frequently struggle to replicate bugs reported on specific legacy versions or beta releases without undergoing time-consuming setup processes for each environment.
BrowserStack Live resolves this by providing on-demand access to a massive real device cloud of 30,000+ real devices and 3,500+ browsers combinations. You can seamlessly switch from one browser version to another within a single session or run multiple versions simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage without the operational overhead.
Here’s how you can switch between different browser versions for testing with BrowserStack Live:
Step 1: Access the Live Dashboard
Log in to your BrowserStack Live account. On the main dashboard, select your desired Operating System (Windows or Mac) and choose a specific Browser and Version number to launch the test session.
Step 2: Locate the Toolbar
Once the remote session begins, locate the vertical Toolbar on the left side of the screen (or the floating menu, depending on your view settings).
Step 3: Click ‘Switch Browser’
Click the Switch Browser icon within the toolbar. This will open the device and browser selection menu without disconnecting you from the platform.
Step 4: Select New Configuration
In the selection menu, choose a different Browser (e.g., Firefox instead of Chrome) or a different Version of the current browser. The session will refresh and load your application in the newly selected environment.
BrowserStack impacted two important business metrics for the team. First, quality in terms of device, location, and network coverage, and second, the time to market.
Expert Tips
- Enable Browser State Maintenance: When switching browsers, cookies are typically cleared. Enable Persist cookies in the Settings menu to maintain your login state and data across different browser sessions.
- Utilize Multi-Device Testing: Instead of switching sequentially, use the Add Device feature to run up to four different browser versions simultaneously in the same tab for side-by-side comparison.
- Mobile Browser Dependency: For iOS testing, Safari versions are tied to the iOS version (e.g., iOS 16 runs Safari 16). To test an older Safari version, you must select an older iOS device from the dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, BrowserStack Live provides access to legacy browsers, including various versions of Internet Explorer (IE 6–11) and older versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
New desktop browser versions (stable releases) are typically available on the platform within a week of their official launch, along with access to many beta versions.
Usage is calculated based on the duration of the active session; switching browsers continues the timer but does not incur an additional “per-switch” fee, though it counts toward your total concurrent usage limits.
