Enable camera on Surface devices by switching to Development Channel

Last Update: 2024-03-13

The following guide or recipe requires shell access to your FydeOS installation, therefore developer mode is assumed to be enabled. If altering system file is required, you will also need to disable root file system verification.

Camera Support for Surface Devices: A Guide

Please Note:
The camera support feature for Surface devices on FydeOS is currently in the experimental phase. This means that the camera feed's quality may not match the standard you're accustomed to on Windows, and some Android apps may not detect the cameras. We are actively working on enhancing this feature, but for now, it is only available on the Development Channel.

Additionally, the smoothness of the touchscreen will also decrease.

Important: While we have conducted extensive tests on data retention when switching between Stable and Developer channels, we cannot guarantee complete data safety due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, we strongly advise performing a full system backup before changing channels.

Prerequisites

The experimental camera support is compatible with the following FydeOS for You Surface releases:

FydeOS for You - Surface Pro4, v16.0-SP1 and later
FydeOS for You - Surface Pro5, v16.0-SP1 and later
FydeOS for You - Surface Pro6, v16.0-SP1 and later

If your device or FydeOS version isn't listed above, please upgrade your FydeOS to the latest version before proceeding.

For the following FydeOS for You Surface releases, no additional steps are necessary to use the cameras:

FydeOS for You - Surface Go, v16.0-SP1 and later
FydeOS for You - Surface Go2, v16.0-SP1 and later
FydeOS for You - Surface Go3, v16.0-SP1 and later

Switching to the Developer Channel

To enable camera support, switch your current release channel to "Dev". This can be done via "FydeOS Settings" > "About FydeOS" > "Additional details" > "Change channel", then select "Developer - unstable".
After confirming the channel switch, your FydeOS will automatically download the OTA update and transition to the Developer Channel.

Reverting to the Stable Channel

To revert to the Stable Channel while retaining your data, you cannot use the GUI. Instead, enter the Bash shell and input the following commands:
```
update_engine_client --channel=stable-channel --update --nopowerwash
```
Once the command is issued, your FydeOS will automatically download the OTA update and revert to the Stable Channel. You can monitor the download and upgrade progress in "FydeOS Settings" > "About FydeOS".

Known Issues

The camera feed may appear greenish and perform poorly in low light conditions. We recommend using the camera in well-lit environments.
Some Android apps may not detect the cameras, but most web conferencing services should function correctly.
To enable the cameras, we have to use an experimental touchscreen driver compatible with the newer Linux kernel version. As a result, you may experience less smooth and slightly laggy touch interactions on your Surface when the system is busy.