All the Google apps that come preinstalled on Surface Duo

By Zac Bowden
last updated

Expect to see many Google apps preinstalled on Surface Duo.

Surface Duo Press Sitting Lifestyle
Surface Duo Press Sitting Lifestyle (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • There are 20 Google-made Android apps preinstalled on Surface Duo.
  • Many of them can be disabled or removed if wanted.
  • Microsot is also bundling many of its own Android apps.

The Surface Duo is Microsoft's first Android-based smartphone, and it has worked closely with Google to bundle the Play Store and its respective services on the device so that customers can access their favorite Android apps from the biggest Android app store out there. Google requires all phones that come preinstalled with the Play Store to also bundle its own suite of productivity apps and services.

This means that when you unbox your new Surface Duo, you'll find Google apps in-addition to Microsoft's own ones preinstalled. Many Microsoft die-hards will be upset at this news, but it's a requirement by Google for an OEM to have the Play Store included on the device. Here's all the Google apps that come preinstalled on Surface Duo:

  • Google Search
  • Google Assistant
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Drive
  • Google Duo
  • Google Photos
  • Google Play Movies & TV
  • Google Play Store
  • Google Maps
  • Chrome
  • Gmail
  • YouTube
  • YouTube Music
  • Contacts
  • Messages
  • Phone
  • Files
  • Clock
  • Calculator
  • Sound recorder

In addition to the Google apps, Microsoft is also bundling its own Android software. Microsoft Launcher, Edge and Outlook will be set at the default launcher, web browser, and email client on the device. Some Google apps are also set as default, including the Google Assistant, Google Messages, and Google Phone apps.

Google also requires that the Google Play Store app and Google Search bar are placed on the homescreen by default. This is why you won't see the Bing search bar by default on the home page, but the user can easily change this if they wish.

Users will be able to uninstall or disable many of Google's preinstalled apps if they don't want to use them, but many customers actually use Google apps every day, so having them preinstalled might be a good thing for many people.

For reference, here's a list of all the Microsoft apps that are also bundled on Surface Duo:

  • Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office Lens, PDF reader, and More
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft OneDrive
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft To Do
  • Microsoft News
  • Microsoft Authenticator
  • Microsoft Bing Search
  • Intune Company Portal
  • LinkedIn
  • Microsoft Solitaire Collection
  • Surface Audio
  • Microsoft SwiftKey

Microsoft Surface DuoPreorders today!

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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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Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.

23 Comments
  • You might want to add for play store certification the Google suite folder and search MUST be on shipped home screen You just know people are going to say why is it on there and not just on the device hidden
  • Of course Google Duo had to be on the Surface Duo! (j/k)
  • Google apps are bad so hears how I feel about them ........ 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
  • Is there a better ecosystem of everyday apps? Maybe Apple's?
  • Yes, considering Google apps aren't really an ecosystem in and of itself.
  • They aren't?? What is missing?
  • US only? In these times?!? Oh, no The prize isn't a good decision.
  • For Messaging, the could have bundled SMS organizer by Microsoft Garage.
  • Rather leave commentary than vote. Will I buy it? Well the reality is that the price is quite steep for me so I'm not sure whether that will ultimately happen. Would I like to? Yes. Do I think the prices is 'fair'. I guess it will depend on market competition but as a default position I would say it probably is.
  • Only one question matters - have they integrated Google Assistant and Microsoft To Do?
  • Where's Microsoft films and TV app? Would have been the perfect time to make and release it.
  • Well if your lucky you have participating titles for it to be exported to amzn, vudu, etc via movies anywhere
  • glad you can uninstall the google apps. later
    -1
  • Agreed. One of my biggest gripes about my Samsung S9 is that I can't delete Chrome and other unwanted Google and Samsung apps. Can only disable most of them and they seem to have a life of their own and keep re-enabling themselves.
  • Would be nice if you can let automatically uninstall these Google apps when a connection is made via Intune when they are business phones.
  • So no Bing Maps or Windows Maps? They've never released a dedicated mobile app outside of Microsoft's past mobile operating systems. What's the point of Bing/Windows Maps if it's not also available on a mobile device? There's a lot of reasons why their own mapping solution should be available for iOS and Android including accessing my saved collections, and most recent place searches including desktop searches. What's the point of even trying to get into the Microsoft ecosystem if they can't fully integrate themselves. Same for not having access to my Movies & TV purchased from the Microsoft Store. Make an appropriate mobile app for your own devices at least.
  • Why would you use Microsoft Maps in the first place? Even Microsoft doesn't expect you to do that!
  • I prefer Microsoft Maps because it has all my historical searches, collections I've maintained over the years, and I don't want big G to know my destinations and whatnot.
  • The map program on windows uses "Here" maps, so that'll be your equivalent to install. Assuming it's not preinstalled already. Warning: May contain British accents.
  • Understood, but one has to wonder the mixed messages Microsoft sends when they offer things to consumers that's missing obvious integrations with their other groups.
  • Lol yeah if only they released whatever rough under development app they have for films & tv or work to make mobile edge somehow a web player. Considering moviesanywhere support is inconsistent from ones bought from them anything's better than nothing
  • Welp, I've already said what my first step will be when this thing comes out. *insert meme of person getting kicked out of car here*
  • One thing id be curious about is how certain APIs like location are handled compared to Samsung oneui