The Surface Audio app has long been the place to manage Surface Earbuds or Surface Headphones, but it now looks as though Microsoft is quitting on it. Indeed, as first spotted by Windows Central, Microsoft is moving most of the controls over from the special Surface Audio app over to the standard Surface app.
We noticed the change today as after updating the Surface Audio app on Windows 11 to the latest version 3.36.600.0, we were greeted with a message about the app’s fate. It specifically says that a new version of the Surface app is now available, and Surface Audio is no longer supported by Microsoft.
Of course, it seems as though you can dismiss the message keep using the app if you want in the meantime, but the best experience for your accessories is over on the Surface app. We included some screen grabs of the Surface app for you below. It’s a lot more modern, with visuals for the Surface accessory you’re using. Otherwise speaking, though, the controls are the same as the Surface Audio app, with access to equalizers, and even the list of devices it is connected to. Note that opening the Surface app also prompts about the Surface Audio app no longer being supported, with the recommendation to uninstall the app.
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As for the Surface Audio app on iOS and Android, Windows Central reports that there’s no need to uninstall it. The app will apparently be updated through your respected App Store and replaced with the Microsoft Surface App. Windows 10 and Windows 11 users of the Surface Audio app, though, will have to uninstall the app and download the Surface app in the store instead.
It’s interesting to see Microsoft consolidate these Surface apps a bit, as it could mean that newer Surface accessories can be on the way, to be configured in the app. Time will have to tell, so let us know what you think by dropping us a comment below.
