Microsoft releases Surface Duo 1 Feb update with Your Phone 'Apps', improved system performance

Surface Duo Pen Headphones
Surface Duo Pen Headphones (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The original Surface Duo is getting a big update for February.
  • The update brings Your Phone "Apps" to Surface Duo, just like Surface Duo 2.
  • The update is 565MB and bumps the system to version 2022.111.64 and improves device and UI stability and system performance.

Microsoft hasn't forgotten about the original Surface Duo following its long-overdue Android 11 update back in January. Like Surface Duo 2, which received a sizable update today, Surface Duo 1 is also getting in on the action.

The 565MB update brings more than just the February Android Security bulletin, thankfully. While Android 11 has generally been well-received on Surface Duo, there are always improvements that can be made, and Microsoft seems to be addressing those with this update.

Moreover, there is also a new feature: Your Phone "Apps" support. Like Surface Duo 2 (and Samsung Android phones), Surface Duo can now run Android apps via Your Phone directly instead of the screen mirroring feature.

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

Here's what's new with update version 2022.111.64:

  • With the Your Phone app, you can use Android apps on your PC. For more information on using Surface Duo with your PC see Link Surface Duo to your PC.
  • Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – February 2022.
  • Improves device and UI stability.
  • Improves system performance.
  • Improves reliability in the Android Auto experience.

While we haven't tried the update ourselves, this looks like a worthy update for Surface Duo owners. The Apps feature for Your Phone brings Surface Duo more parity with Surface Duo 2, something we expect to continue with future updates.

To grab the update on Surface Duo, follow these instructions:

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

Microsoft does note, however, that AT&T users will have to still wait a bit longer for this update as it is still "testing this release, and it is pending final validation." Typically, AT&T Surface Duos get the update a week or two later.

Let us know in the comments how the update has gone for you.

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 watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.