Your Samsung Phone Has a Secret Desktop Interface
If you have a Samsung phone, you have an alternative, lightweight option for working on a computer on the go: Galaxy phones come with a built-in desktop interface called DeX, and depending on what you need to do, you can use this mode instead of a laptop when traveling.
Basically, you connect your Samsung phone to a TV or monitor, and Android becomes more like Windows or macOS. You still use the same software and the same apps, but you get floating windows and easier multitasking.
While many apps will stick to their mobile look, you can use apps like Google Docs or Google Chrome to work while you’re away from home (or just in another room). And of course, you’ll also have access to all your movie and music streaming apps on a larger screen.
How to Set Up Samsung DeX
You have a few different connection options when it comes to Samsung DeX. It actually works wirelessly, as long as you have a TV or monitor with Miracast technology built in — or a Miracast-enabled streaming box or adapter. That includes most Samsung TVs released in the last few years, for example, so if you’re heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, you’re already ahead of the game.
To launch Samsung DeX wirelessly, open Settings on your Galaxy phone, then go to Connected devices > Samsung DeX . Or, open the Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen), then tap the DeX button — if you don’t see it, swipe down on the tile bar to see the full selection. Your phone will scan your Wi-Fi network for compatible hardware, and you can tap a device to connect.
If you can set up Samsung DeX with a wired connection, that’s usually easier and more reliable. The cable you need will depend on the external monitor or TV you’re connecting to: you might need a USB-C to USB-C cable, for example, or a USB-C to HDMI cable. Most cables should work with the right connectors, but I’d recommend looking for ones that specifically mention DeX in the description.
You can also use USB-C hubs and docks, which is handy if you want to connect a mouse and keyboard. Again, most models should work, but not all necessarily – a little research online should point you to products that people are already using with DeX. This $12 Ugreen hub is the one I used for Samsung DeX, so you can see that you don’t have to spend a lot of money here.
You don’t necessarily need a keyboard and mouse with DeX, because you can use your phone’s keyboard and turn it into a makeshift trackpad (you can even use the S Pen to control DeX). However, if you need to do any serious work, from writing essays to sending emails, you’ll probably want to hook up a mouse and keyboard. Here’s what I did: Galaxy phone, HDMI cable, keyboard, and mouse all plugged into the hub.
Launching DeX in a wired configuration is similar to launching it wirelessly, although if you’re using cables and hubs, you should see a prompt to connect once you connect an external monitor to your Galaxy device. Future connections can be launched automatically (to control this, open Settings on your phone, then go to Connected devices > Samsung DeX ).
How to Use Samsung DeX
Once DeX is launched, you should see the desktop interface on the external screen. It’s a bit like having a second monitor for your phone, because you can continue to use the apps on your Galaxy device just like you normally would. You’ll find a few app shortcuts on the DeX desktop that you can double-click to launch, as well as a taskbar that shows your open apps at the bottom.
In the bottom left corner, you have the standard Android buttons: a recent apps button, a home button, and a back button. To the left of these is a search button and an all apps button, which opens shortcuts to all the apps installed on your phone. To the right of the taskbar, you have a series of buttons, including buttons for checking notifications, taking screenshots, and checking battery and signal strength.
To further customize DeX, double-click the Settings shortcut on your desktop, then select Samsung DeX. Here you have a variety of options, covering font size, wallpaper, shortcuts available on the taskbar, how the keyboard and mouse work, and whether to play audio through your phone or through speakers connected to the larger screen.
Using DeX is pretty simple. Apps appear as Windows does with quick-access buttons in the upper-right corner. These (from left to right) dock the app window (keep it on top of other apps), minimize the app window, make the app window fill the entire screen, or close the app. You can resize windows using their edges and move them using their title bars, just like in Windows or macOS.
There are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use that make navigating the interface a little easier: Ctrl+Enter (Windows keyboard) or Cmd+Enter (Mac keyboard) will take you to the Home screen desktop. To see all the keyboard shortcuts you can use, press Ctrl+/ (Windows) or Cmd+/ (Mac).
It all works smoothly and quickly, and while Samsung DeX isn’t something I use often, it does come in handy at times, especially when commuting between home and the office when I only have my Galaxy phone in my pocket. It’s such a good idea, in fact, that Google is expected to include its own version of DeX in Android 16 .