Microsoft finally releases January update for Surface Duo [Update: AT&T too]

News
By Sean Endicott
published

Surface Duo owners don't have to wait any longer for the January update.

Surface Duo January Update
Surface Duo January Update (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Surface Duo has a new update that improves the device in several areas.
  • The update improves the Surface Duo's stability, audio quality, and touch stability.
  • The update brings software version 202.1211.85

Update Feb 9, 2021: The same January update for AT&T Surface Duos is now live as well after undergoing AT&T testing. That update is only for Surface Duos sold through AT&T, not unlocked Surface Duos with an AT&T SIM installed.

Microsoft's Surface Duo has a fresh update that includes several improvements. The update improves the stability, audio quality, and touch stability of the Surface Duo. It also addresses important security scenarios and adds the ability to add a caller to a conference call in certain situations.

The update brings software version 202.1211.85 and is 576 MB. The Surface Duo update history page outlines all of the changes:

  • Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - December 2020 and January 2021.
  • Improves Surface Duo UI stability.
  • Adds the ability to add a caller to conference calls in certain conditions.
  • Improves audio quality when using speaker mode.
  • Improves touch stability.

Surface Duo owners have waited some time to receive an update. Microsoft didn't ship an update for the device in December and it's almost the end of January. The most recent update for the Surface Duo before this one rolled out on November 16, 2020.

To check for the update, use the following steps:

  1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
  2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo's home screen.
  3. Select System.
  4. Select System Update.
  5. Select Check for update.
  6. Select Restart now.\

For those with an AT&T version of Surface Duo (not unlocked and on AT&T), we expect that update to ship likely next week as it gets approved.

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Microsoft Surface Duo

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Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.