Surface Duo not working on Verizon? Here's the fix.

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

What you need to know

  • The Surface Duo is having issues with SMS messaging on Verizon.
  • Several people have experienced issues with SMS messaging, even though voice and data work well.
  • The solution is to ask Verizon to turn on CDMA-less for your account.

To switch your account to CDMA-less, you need to contact Verizon support. According to people in the thread, you can do this by either calling Verizon or using the company's online chat tool. Once switched, the fix works immediately. Multiple people within the thread said that they were up and running within minutes.

Verizon has a handy page with three ways to contact the company. You can chat with someone online, call Verizon, or schedule a callback from the company.

It's unfortunate that people on Verizon need to do anything extra to get the Surface Duo to work with their carrier, but at least there's a simple fix for the issue.

As the Surface Duo moves further from its launch day, more accessories for it become available. Make sure to check out the best Surface Duo cases to keep your device protected.

Microsoft Surface Duo

Main

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

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.