How to reattach your Surface Duo bumper for just $8 (Updated)

Surface Duo 2020 Opn
Surface Duo 2020 Opn (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

Update: The original 3M tape used here was too thick and has now been replaced by a new double-sided thin acrylic version, which is identical to what Microsoft uses with the bumper from the factory.

To bumper or not to bumper, that is the question. If you own a Surface Duo, the $40 white bumper in the box is a quick way to add some grip and confidence to the $1,400 dual-screen device. While it is only modest protection, most agree it is better than nothing.

The issue with the bumper for Surface Duo is the tape that holds it in place makes it difficult to remove and reuse. True, if you take it off for just a few minutes to add a decorative vinyl skin, you won't have any problems (so long as you don't pull up the tape), but if you take it off for weeks, or multiple times it is likely to lose its tackiness.

Solving this problem is technically easy: retape it. Luckily, I found five yards of double-sided acrylic tape at 3mm wide and 25 meters in length that seems perfect for the job. The total cost is $7.99 (plus free Prime shipping) and about five minutes of your time.

The process is straightforward: remove the old tape from the inner bumper (or your phone). Wipe down with alcohol and reapply to the bumper. Using the old tape as a guide for placement helps, but this isn't rocket science either.

The good news is there is enough left over so you could probably do this action ten more times if you need too. Plus, at eight bucks, this is hardly an investment.

Sopiguard Surface Duo Leather Main

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

The tape used here is very thin and is made for mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and LCDs for repairs and adjustments. I advise putting the tape on Surface Duo where the bumper makes contact as the tape is too thin to work into the bumper's wedge area. The secondary tape (which is red for visibility) peels back with ease, and as far as I can tell, this is the same type of tape Microsoft uses with the bumper making it a 1:1 replacement.

At the very least, if you already removed your bumper and are having second thoughts try this $5 trick first before going all-in for $40 on a new one. Unless, of course, you want one of those three new bumper colors.

Microsoft Surface Duo

Main

CATEGORIES
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and wearable tech. He has reviewed laptops for over 10 years and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, Arm64 processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, performed polysomnographs in NYC, and was a motion-picture operator for 17 years.

Latest in Windows Phone
Windows Phones
Windows 10 Mobile’s app store bites the dust, half a decade after support ended
Lumia 950 XL
The director for one of 2025's best games was a Windows Phone fan, says Microsoft was "shocked" that he was voluntarily using it — I experienced similar
Lumia 1020 case with an iPhone SE (Gen 3) inside
Windows Phone revived: Tech Enthusiast "upgrades" Lumia 1020 with full-fledged iOS
Launcher 10 being used to make a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra look like a Windows Phone.
Here's how to turn your Android Phone into a 'Windows Phone' in 2024
POCO X3 Pro closeup shot featuring the back of the device.
Windows Phone in 2024?! Not exactly, but this is close.
iPhone home screen
Apple adding this feature to iOS 18 in 2024 is so basic it hurts my brain, and it makes me miss Windows Phone
Latest in How-to
Atomfall
Can I play Atomfall on Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and other gaming handhelds?
The First Berserker: Khazan
Is The First Berserker: Khazan on Xbox Game Pass?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Xbox Game Pass?
A close-up of Hazel in South of Midnight
Is South of Midnight on Xbox Game Pass?
Atomfall screenshot
Atomfall: How to grab the best melee weapon and melee perk right away
Atomfall District B
Atomfall: How to open District B, get inside the Robot Facility, and grab the Signal Redirector