Surface Duo 2 emulator with Android 11 now available for developers

Surface Duo 2 Camera Editor Inking (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)

What you need to know

Microsoft released the Surface Duo 2 emulator to help developers optimize apps for the new foldable device.
The emulator runs Android 11 and supports Jetpack Windows Manager APIs, which adapt to UI layouts.
Developers can download the emulator on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Microsoft announced the Surface Duo 2 this week. The foldable device has significantly improved specs over its predecessor and a refined design. Microsoft invested time and effort to make a large generational leap between its foldable devices, and now it's asking developers to help on the app side of things. The Surface Duo 2 emulator is now available, allowing developers to optimize apps for the Surface Duo 2 and other foldable devices. Microsoft outlines all of its updates in a blog post.

The Surface Duo has larger screens than the original Surface Duo, so Microsoft's Design Kit has been updated. Screen resolution changes are also reflected in resource qualifiers for the Surface Duo.

You can download the latest version of the Surface Duo Android emulator from Microsoft's website. Microsoft highlights that the emulator "provides a complete dual-screen experience" for developers:

[Runs] Android 11.
Simulates the hinge with a 3D modes view.
Supports Jetpack Window Manager APIs for adaptive UI layouts.
When used on a touch-screen host device like Microsoft Surface PCs, supports multi-touch and pen sensitivity.
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Works with Android Studio, Visual Studio, VSCode, and other IDEs used for Android app development.

Microsoft's developer tools don't just benefit the Surface Duo 2 and original Surface Duo. The company's Jetpack Window Manager helps apps work with folding devices and large screen devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Jetpack Window Manager provides APIs that can identify if a device has a continuous flat screen or if it has a hinge that disrupts a display. This allows developers to optimize apps for different foldable devices.

Surface Duo 2 emulator

This emulator helps developers optimize apps for foldable devices like the Surface Duo 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.