WordPress 7.0 Release Candidate 2 (RC2) Now Available for Testing
The second Release Candidate (RC2) for WordPress 7.0 is now available for download and testing.
This version is still under development and should not be used on live or mission-critical websites. Instead, it is recommended to test RC2 on a staging or local environment.
Reaching the Release Candidate stage is a significant milestone. Although RC versions are considered stable, continued testing is essential to ensure a smooth and reliable final release.
How to Test WordPress 7.0 RC2
You can try RC2 using the following methods:
- Beta Tester Plugin
Install and activate the WordPress Beta Tester plugin.
Select: “Bleeding Edge” → “Beta/RC Only” - Direct Download
Download the RC2 ZIP file and install it manually. - WP-CLI Command wp core update –version=7.0-RC2
- WordPress Playground
Instantly test in your browser — no setup required.
Release Timeline
The final release of WordPress 7.0 is scheduled for April 9, 2026.
What’s New in WordPress 7.0?
For full details and feature highlights, refer to:
- Beta 1 Announcement
- 7.0 Developer Notes
Recent updates since RC1 include:
- GitHub commits (after March 24, 2026)
- Closed Trac tickets
How You Can Contribute
WordPress is an open-source platform built by a global community. You can contribute in several ways:
1. Test the Release
Testing helps identify bugs and improve stability. Focus on:
- Upgrade process
- New features
Key areas to test:
- Real-time collaboration
- Pattern editing
- Content-only interactivity
Report issues via:
- Alpha/Beta support forums
- WordPress Trac
2. Test on Hosting Platforms
Hosting providers can:
- Ensure compatibility
- Optimize performance
- Prevent update issues
3. Update Themes & Plugins
Developers should:
- Test compatibility with 7.0
- Update the “Tested up to” version in readme files
- Report any issues
4. Help Translate WordPress
Support WordPress by contributing translations in over 100 languages.
RC2 marks the string freeze milestone, making it the ideal time to finalize translations.
RC2 Haiku
Once just a vision,
RC2 flows like a stream,
Seven shines supreme.