Sandbox Preview Instructions for the Salesforce Spring '19 Release

Take advantage of the exciting new features and functionality in the Sandbox Preview for the Spring '19 Release. Sandbox customers have the opportunity to get early access to Spring ‘19 in their Sandbox to test new customizations and features before your production organization is upgraded. The Sandbox Preview window for Spring ‘19 is scheduled to begin January 4, 2019 for those on an active Preview Instance.

Rohit Mehta

December 7, 2018 4 min read

Note: The blog includes special considerations for users of Sandbox Cloning.

The Salesforce Spring ‘19 release is quickly approaching and soon you’ll be able to take advantage of exciting new features and functionality! If you are a Sandbox customer, you have the opportunity to get early access to Spring ‘19 in your Sandbox and test new customizations and features before your production organization is upgraded.

The Sandbox Preview window for Spring ‘19 is scheduled to begin January 4, 2019. If you would like your Sandbox organization to take part in the Spring ‘19 Preview, your Sandbox must be active on a Preview Instance before January 4, 2019 to take part in an overall instance upgrade.

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 January 4, 2019 in order for your Sandbox to take part in the Spring ‘19 Preview.

General Information about the Sandbox Service

Sandbox Instances are split up in two groups – Preview and Non-Preview. Preview Instances are instances which get 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 Spring ‘19 Release, the Preview Instances will be upgraded to Spring ‘19 on January 4 and January 5, 2019 and Non-Preview Instances will be upgraded to Spring ‘19 on February 8 and February 9, 2019.

Between now and January 4, 2019 all sandbox requests will be routed to Preview Instances. Sandboxes that complete in time for the major release on January 4, 2019 will be upgraded to the newer version of Salesforce.

On January 4, 2019, 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 Spring ‘19.

You have from now until January 4, 2019 to decide if you would like your Sandbox to take part in the Spring ‘19 Preview. Follow the steps below for each Sandbox org that 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 above.

2. Refresh? Or Don’t Refresh? Or Do Nothing?

Once you have located the instance that your Sandbox is on, use the chart below to determine if, when, and what action you should take on your Sandbox.

Notes:

If you decide to stay on the current Winter ‘19 release, your Sandbox will not be upgraded to Spring ‘19 until February 9, 2019.

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 Spring ‘19 release, please contact Salesforce Customer 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 January 4, 2019, it is a recommended practice to request your sandbox a week in advance of the deadline to improve your chances of obtaining a completed Sandbox on a Preview Instance. While we strive to process each request in a timely manner, we cannot guarantee completion of the Sandbox before the deadline.

Sandbox Cloning

You can only clone Sandboxes that are on the same major Salesforce version as the production org. Sandboxes that are upgraded as part of the preview on January 4, 2019 will not be available for cloning until the production org is upgraded to the new release.