Microsoft Surface Duo picks up February Android security update

By Daniel Rubino
published

Microsoft is pushing out a February OS patch likely tied to the international release of Surface Duo.

Surface Duo Adobe Acrobat
Surface Duo Adobe Acrobat (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • The Surface Duo is now getting a February Android security update
  • The update is only 66 MB in size, suggesting it is just security and maybe minor fixes.
  • Surface Duo is expected to go on sale today in four new markets.

Microsoft appears to be trying to catch up on Surface Duo updates after its missed December and late-delivered January ones (released January 27th).

Unlocked Surface Duos should now be getting the February 5th Android security update bumping Duo's system build from 2020.1211.85 to 2021.115.52.

For those with AT&T-branded Surface Duos, that update likely won't go out for another week when the carrier certifies it.

Surface Duo Feb Update

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

The update is only 66 MB in size. You'll see a different version number depending on if you're in North America (2021.115.52) or Europe (2021.115.52), but the changes listed by Microsoft (opens in new tab) are the same:

  • Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - February 2020.
  • Improves Surface Duo UI stability.
  • Improves single tap touch experience.

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 looking for news on Android 11, a recent report (corroborated by our sources) points to a mid-year or summer release for the more extensive OS update. However, Microsoft has yet to confirm the details publicly.

Surface Duo is also going on sale today (February 18th) in four new markets, including the UK, Germany, France, and Canada, which is likely tied to the timing of this update.

Thanks for the tip, Ryan T.!

Surface Duo Reco NewDouble the Android

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Microsoft Surface Duo

Two screens are better than one.

Microsoft delves into the future of foldables with an ambitious dual-screen device, featuring two ultra-thin 5.6-inch AMOLED displays bound by a 360-degree hinge. This pocketable inking-enabled Android smartphone marks the latest in the Surface lineup, geared for mobile productivity.

Microsoft Surface Duo

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Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, 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 for some reason, watches. 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.

9 Comments
  • Good that Microsoft is back on track to a mid month update schedule. Not that it was an catastrophy that the missed the December update and the January was late but a bit better communication around it would be preferable. It had probably been wiser to say that the Duo comes with 10 yearly updates and hinted that midwinter and midsummer will not have updates or something like that. No one would have complained but when they start to say monthly and do not deliver on that, it do not look good even if there is reasons for it. Communication is alpha and omega as always.
  • So now we can by the Duo in Europe. 1549€ (that is about 1870$) at Microsoft in Germany while in US the same piece of hardware goes for 999$. The German price is of course with tax and the US price is with a February rebate but the message from Microsoft with this is not good. It is easy for an European to look up the US price and the at lest I feel an message from Microsoft that is more of an slap on the face than a welcome to a new device.
  • I gotta say, for me, this is the first update that actually feels like they fixed/improved some things. For example, I can now swip away in one stroke an expanded app, also I can quickly access apps when displays are folded back on each other without delay.
  • Lol bruh. The issues weren't with the device then 🤣😂
  • Yeah, the gestures definitely seem to be much more stable and consistent with this update.
  • Sill waiting for features available in the single-screen version of the MS launcher. Looking forward to Double-Tap to wake, gesture options, A glance screen, and icon customization.
  • an android duo and a tesla. Business is good at WC
  • Just got my update on my AT&T version yesterday.
  • @DanielRubino Now that it's getting closer to the end of the month, any word on what features we can expect in the February update for the Duo 2 or will it be general fixes and security?