The original Microsoft Surface Duo has seemingly reached the end of its life span after experiencing numerous issues. Its successor, the Surface Duo 2, however, is reportedly set to receive support for another year in the form of software and firmware updates. Despite this, the Surface Duo 2 is expected to stay on the existing Android 12L, without any prospective upgrades to Android 13 or the newly launched Android 14.
First Unofficial Android 14 ROM for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 Unveiled
In a turn of events, the owners of the first and second-generation Surface Duo now have the capacity to download an unofficial Android 14 ROM for their dual-screen devices. This version of Android 14, currently available for the Microsoft Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2, has been released by Thai Nguyen, a former Microsoft engineer. Nguyen had previously worked on porting Android 13 onto Microsoft's smartphones.
https://twitter.com/nqtspinner/status/1711282976812863821
The initial release of this unofficial ROM bases itself on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). However, it's worth noting that this debut Android 14 ROM for the Surface Duo lineup possesses several rough edges, with the developer had cautioning users about its numerous bugs. Furthermore, unlike the earlier porting of Android 13 for the devices, this current iteration of Android 14 does not include the Pixel Experience or any affiliated features and enhancements.
Where to Download and Precautions to Take
Interested individuals can download the Android 14 ROM for the Surface Duo models directly from GitHub, a platform hosting software development and version control. However, users have been advised to create a backup of all essential data prior to flashing the device due to the likelihood of bugs, instabilities, and other uncertainties characteristic of unofficial software.
For users who prefer not to risk flashing their Surface Duo 2 devices with third-party ROMs, the latest firmware update, released just weeks prior, is available for download. Although there are no new features included in this update aside from Android security patches.
