Update (May 26, 2020): CS194, CS196 and CS198 were incorrectly classified as non-preview sandbox instances. These are preview instances and sandboxes on these instances will receive the Summer ’20 Sandbox Preview on May 29 and May 30, 2020.
The Sandbox Preview window for Summer ’20 begins on May 29, 2020. Get early access and take advantage of exciting new features, functionality, and customizations. If you are a sandbox customer, you can get early access if you have an active preview instance before that date.
Please read carefully and follow the instructions in the next section for specific information on how to handle each of your sandboxes. In most cases, you will not need to do anything because your sandbox is already on a preview instance. But you may need to take action before May 29, 2020, in order for your sandbox to take part in the Summer ’20 Preview.
General information about the sandbox service
Sandbox instances are split up into two groups — preview and non-preview. Preview instances will be upgraded to the newer version of Salesforce before production instances (e.g. NA2, EU1, AP0) and non-preview instances are upgraded towards the end of a major release along with the majority of production instances.
For the Summer ’20 Release, the preview instances will be upgraded to Summer ’20 on May 29 and May 30, 2020, and non-preview instances will be upgraded to Summer ’20 on July 17 and July 18, 2020.
Between now and May 29, 2020, all sandbox requests will be routed to preview instances. Sandboxes complete in time for the major release on May 29, 2020, will be upgraded to the newest version of Salesforce.
On May 29, 2020, all incomplete sandbox requests will be reset on a non-preview instance and, pending and new sandbox requests, will be routed to non-preview instances until your production instance is upgraded to Summer ’20. We need to do this because sandboxes are created on the same major release version of Salesforce as the production org.
You have from now until May 29, 2020, to decide if you would like your sandbox to take part in the Summer ’20 Preview. Follow the steps below for each sandbox org you have.
Note: If you have a full sandbox, be mindful of the 29-day refresh policy and plan accordingly.
I need to create a new sandbox — what are my options?
I have an existing sandbox — what are my options?
1. Determine your sandbox instance
To determine which instance your sandbox is on, log into your production org and navigate to your Sandbox List page (Search “Sandbox” in the Quick Find bar on the Setup Home Page). Determine your sandbox instance by using the Location column.
2. Should I refresh? Not refresh? Or do nothing?
Once you have located the instance your sandbox is on, use the chart below to determine if, when, and what action you should take on your sandbox.
AppExchange preview instructions
If you plan to upload and/or install one or more AppExchange packages using your sandboxes during the Sandbox Preview window, you should use the chart below to determine your course of action.
If you have additional questions about your sandbox options in conjunction with the Summer ‘20 release, please contact Salesforce Support.
Important — plan ahead!
Due to the popularity of the Sandbox Preview program, there are often backlogs in sandbox create and refresh requests. Since all incomplete sandboxes will be reset to a non-preview instance prior to the deadline on May 29, 2020, it is recommended practice to request your sandbox a week in advance of the deadline to improve the chances of obtaining a completed sandbox on a preview instance. While we strive to process each request in a timely manner, we cannot guarantee the completion of your sandbox before the deadline.
Note about sandbox cloning
Prior to 12:00 p.m. PT May 29, 2020 (19:00 UTC May 29, 2020), sandbox clone requests will be processed on a preview instance.
From 1:00 p.m. PT, May 29, 2020 (19:00 UTC May 29, 2020) through July 18, 2020, sandbox clone requests will be processed on the same release version of Salesforce as the sandbox being cloned.
The video below offers a complete overview of how the sandbox preview works.
