Unlocking the Bootloader on Surface Duo
January 1, 2026 · View on GitHub
Table of Contents:
Files/Tools Needed
- A Windows PC
Disclaimers
Warning
- If you see a warning and/or error during the process, it is not normal. Contact us on telegram if you see anything odd, but do not continue or proceed on your own, you will break things further.
Important
THIS WILL WIPE ALL YOUR ANDROID™ DATA
We don't take any responsibility for any damage done to your phone. By following this guide, you agree to take full responsibility of your actions. We have done some testing,
but this is STILL IN PREVIEW and things can go wrong.
PLEASE READ AND BE SURE TO UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRE GUIDE BEFORE STARTING
Steps
Install WOA Device Manager
| Steps | Illustration |
|---|---|
| Visit WOA Device Manager in the Microsoft Store |  |
| Tap the View in Store button | |
| Tap Install | |
| Wait til the installation is completed | |
| And click open | |
| WOA Device Manager should now open on your screen. |
Congratulations, you successfully installed WOA Device Manager.
Unlocking the bootloader
Important
Backup all your data. You will lose everything you have on Android™ and will start from scratch.
| Steps | Illustration |
|---|---|
| Assuming your Surface Duo is booted to Android™, plugged to your PC, Using the Microsoft Launcher, find the settings app | |
| Open the Android™ Settings app | |
| Scroll down to the about section, and open it | |
| Scroll all the way down til you see the Build Number field | |
| Press the Build number field 7 times consecutively, you should first start to see a popup after 3 taps | |
| Once done tapping 7 times, you should be seeing this popup instead | |
| Now go to the System section, you should see a new Developer options section like shown below | |
| Go to the Developer options section | |
| Scroll all the way down til you see the "USB debugging" option | |
| And turn on the "USB debugging" option |
Tip
If you see no device listed, check for updates in Windows Update, you likely have a Driver Update pending so the phone is recognized, when you're good to go, you should see the following image below this notice. It is possible certain computers see no update offered (like Windows ARM64 Computers or other older machines with no functional Windows Update). If this is your case, we also provide Drivers for you to download at the following location, you will have to install them using Device Manager on your PC. Download USB Drivers
| Steps | Illustration |
|---|---|
| WOA Device Manager should now stop showing the previous error banner after you allowed the connection | |
| In WOA Device Manager, go to Unlock Bootloader | |
| And click Unlock Bootloader | |
| Confirm the dialog asking you if you are really sure to do this | |
| Confirm that you want to unlock the bootloader using your device side buttons, your device will erase itself and restart into the Android™ Out of box Experience Again. |
Congratulations, you successfully unlocked your bootloader.
You should now be seeing the Android™ Out of Box Experience (OOBE).
| Steps | Illustration |
|---|---|
| Setup your phone to confirm it works correctly. | |
| Assuming your Surface Duo is booted to Android™, plugged to your PC, Using the Microsoft Launcher, find the settings app | |
| Open the Android™ Settings app | |
| Scroll down to the about section, and open it | |
| Scroll all the way down til you see the Build Number field | |
| Press the Build number field 7 times consecutively, you should first start to see a popup after 3 taps | |
| Once done tapping 7 times, you should be seeing this popup instead | |
| Now go to the System section, you should see a new Developer options section like shown below | |
| Go to the Developer options section | |
| Scroll all the way down til you see the "USB debugging" option | |
| And turn on the "USB debugging" option |
The End
And we're done, please continue with the previous guide that made you land here :)
© 2020-2026 The Duo WOA Authors
Snapdragon is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Microsoft, the Microsoft Corporate Logo, Windows, Surface, Surface Duo, Windows Hello, Continuum, Hyper-V, and DirectX are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States. Android is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Miracast is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Other binaries may be copyright Qualcomm Incorporated and Microsoft Surface.
Limited emergency calling
Running Windows on your Surface Duo is not a replacement for a proper phone operating system and does not have emergency calling capabilities.
Hello from Seattle (US), France, Italy.