This article outlines Surface Duo accessibility features. Surface Duo offers Android accessibility features—for more info, visit Android Accessibility Help.
Change your display
Display and font size
To make things like text messages, the time, and app icons bigger or smaller, adjust the display and font size on your Surface Duo. Learn more about changing the display or font size
Extra dim
Make your screen go beyond the minimum brightness level to make it easier on your eyes when reading. Learn more about changing the display or font size
Magnification
If you want to make items on your screen bigger temporarily, or you want the option to zoom in and out as you please, use magnification. Learn more about using magnification
Contrast and color options
You have several options for adjusting contrast and color on your Surface Duo, including high-contrast text, dark theme and color inversion, and color correction.
Use a screen reader
TalkBack
TalkBack is a screen reading program that describes visual events on your device verbally. It’s built into Surface Duo with Android, so there’s nothing to download or install. For example, TalkBack announces when you move an app from one screen to the other or maximize it across both screens. Learn more about TalkBack on Android
Select to Speak
With Select to Speak, you can have text read aloud whenever you’d like. To have something read or described, select text or items on your screen. Learn more about Select to Speak
Interaction controls
Voice Access
Voice Access lets you control your device with your voice using spoken commands. Use your voice to open apps, navigate, and edit text hands-free. Download Voice Access from the Play Store and Learn more about Voice Access
Accessibility Menu
The Accessibility Menu lets you use a large on-screen menu to control your Surface Duo. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen with two fingers to use large buttons to adjust the volume and screen brightness, open quick settings and recent apps, take a screenshot, and more.
Turn it on by going to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Menu > Accessibility Menu shortcut. Learn more about the Accessibility Menu
Switch Access
Switch Access lets you control your device using an external switch or keyboard instead of the touch screens. Learn more about Switch Access
Time to take action (Accessibility timeout)
Some notifications only appear for a certain amount of time. If you’d like more time to address notifications before they dismiss, you can change the Time to take action. Learn more about changing the time you have to take action on notifications
Audio & on-screen text
Captions
You can customize the look and language of captions by changing your caption preferences. Learn more about caption preferences
Audio balance
Adjust the audio balance so audio plays louder on the left side, right side, or at the same volume on both sides. Learn more about changing your Surface Duo audio and caption settings
Hearing aid support
Use a hearing aid with your Surface Duo. Learn more about connecting a hearing aid
Real-time text (RTT) during calls
Use text to communicate during a phone call with RTT. Learn more about real-time text
Mono audio
Use mono-audio if you’d like audio to come through one channel instead of two:
In most cases when you listen to music with headphones or through speakers, the audio will come from two channels, one directed for the left ear and one directed for the right. If you’d like to combine both channels into one, turn on mono audio by going to Settings > Accessibility > Audio adjustment > Mono audio.
Helpful apps from the Google Play Store
Because Surface Duo runs on Android, you can choose from thousands of Android apps and games in the Google Play Store. Live Caption, Live Transcribe, and Sound Amplifier are three accessibility apps you might find useful. Here’s how to get them: Tap Play Store on your Home screen. Then, in the Play Store, search for the app by name.
More resources
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The Disability Answer Desk is available to help with accessibility questions or concerns.
