Samsung DeX is a revolutionary feature that turns your Samsung phone or tablet into a full computer experience. By connecting your device to a monitor or TV, you get a desktop interface with windows, a taskbar and the ability to use multiple apps at the same time. In this article you'll discover everything about Samsung DeX and how to get the most out of it.

What is Samsung DeX?

Samsung DeX, short for Desktop Experience, is a software platform that gives you a desktop-like interface when you connect your Samsung Galaxy device to an external screen. Instead of mirroring your phone screen, you get a full desktop environment with movable windows, a taskbar at the bottom and the ability to multitask like on a computer.

The name DeX refers to the idea that your phone can serve as your primary computer. With the power of modern smartphones and the DeX interface, you can work productively, edit documents, answer emails and even handle light creative tasks, all powered by your phone.

Which devices support Samsung DeX?

Samsung DeX is available on a wide range of Samsung Galaxy devices:

Phones

  • Samsung Galaxy S series from the S8 onward
  • Samsung Galaxy Note series from the Note 8 onward
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (limited support)
  • Various Galaxy A series models

Tablets

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S series from the Tab S4 onward
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab Active series

Ways to use Samsung DeX

There are several ways to activate DeX, depending on your equipment and preference.

With a cable to a monitor or TV

The most direct way is to connect your phone to a monitor or TV with a USB-C to HDMI cable or a USB-C hub. As soon as you make the connection, DeX starts automatically and the desktop interface appears on the external screen.

Wirelessly to a Smart TV

Newer Samsung phones support wireless DeX. If you have a Samsung Smart TV from 2019 or later, you can start DeX without cables. Open the quick settings on your phone, tap DeX and select your TV from the list of available devices.

DeX on your computer

With the Samsung DeX app for Windows and macOS, you can run DeX in a window on your computer. Connect your phone to your computer via USB and start the DeX app. You get a window with the DeX interface in which you can use Android apps alongside your regular computer programs.

DeX on your tablet

Samsung tablets with DeX support can activate DeX directly on the tablet screen, without an external display. This is handy in combination with a keyboard cover for a laptop-like experience.

Setting up DeX for the first time

Follow these steps to configure DeX for the first time:

Step 1: Connect your device

Connect your Samsung phone to a monitor with a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. Make sure the adapter supports video output. Not all USB-C cables support video transfer.

Step 2: Accept the DeX prompt

A notification appears on your phone saying that DeX is available. Tap 'Start Samsung DeX' or drag the notification down for more options. You can choose between DeX and screen mirroring.

Step 3: Complete the configuration

The first time you start DeX, you get a short introduction. You can adjust the screen resolution and choose whether to use your phone as a touchpad or connect an external mouse.

The DeX interface resembles a traditional desktop environment. These are the main parts:

Desktop

The desktop is your starting point. You can place shortcuts to apps here by dragging them from the apps menu. Right-clicking (or long-pressing with your finger) opens a context menu with options.

Taskbar

At the bottom of the screen you see the taskbar with pinned apps, running apps and system icons. Click an app to open it or switch between active windows.

Apps menu

Click the apps icon in the taskbar (or press the Windows key if you use a keyboard) to see all installed apps. From here you can launch any app.

Notification panel

Click the clock in the bottom right corner to open the notification panel. Here you see your notifications and quick settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and brightness.

Multitasking in DeX

One of the biggest advantages of DeX is the ability to multitask with multiple apps at once.

Opening and managing windows

Apps open as windows that you can move, enlarge, shrink and minimize. Drag the edges of a window to resize it. Drag the title bar to move the window.

Snapping windows

Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen to have it automatically fill half of the screen. This is perfect for working side by side with two apps.

Full screen

Double-click an app's title bar or click the maximize icon to make an app full screen. Some apps, especially games, work best in full screen.

Connecting peripherals

To get the most out of DeX, it helps to connect peripherals.

Mouse and keyboard

You can connect a USB mouse and keyboard through a USB hub, or pair Bluetooth versions wirelessly. A mouse lets you click and drag precisely, while a keyboard makes typing much faster.

Your phone as a touchpad

No mouse at hand? You can use your phone screen as a touchpad. Swipe across the screen to move the cursor, tap to click and use two fingers to scroll and right-click.

External storage

Through a USB hub you can connect USB flash drives and external hard drives. They appear in the My Files app and you can copy files between your phone and external storage.

Using apps in DeX

Almost all Android apps work in DeX, but some are better optimized than others.

Optimized apps

Apps such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Lightroom and many Google apps are specifically optimized for DeX. These apps adapt to the larger screen size and fully support keyboard and mouse input.

Non-optimized apps

Apps that are not optimized run in a fixed-size window or in phone portrait mode. You can often adjust the size through the DeX Labs settings.

DeX Labs

DeX Labs offers experimental features. Go to Settings > Samsung DeX > DeX Labs to find options such as forcing window resizing for all apps and automatically opening the last app.

Working productively with DeX

Here are some tips to be productive with Samsung DeX:

Editing Office documents

Install Microsoft Office or Google Docs to edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations. With a keyboard connected, the experience is comparable to working on a laptop.

Email and calendar

Open your email and calendar side by side to plan your day and reply to messages. The extra screen space makes this much clearer than on your phone.

Video conferencing

Use apps such as Zoom, Teams or Google Meet for video calls. You can use your phone's camera or connect an external webcam for better quality.

Conclusion

Samsung DeX transforms your phone into a versatile workstation. Whether you are on the go and find a monitor, want to use your TV as a big screen at home, or need a second computer for light tasks, DeX offers the flexibility you need. With support for a mouse, keyboard, external storage and optimized apps, you can work productively wherever you are.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need special accessories for Samsung DeX?

At a minimum you need a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter to connect your phone to a monitor. For the best experience a mouse and keyboard are also recommended. Newer phones also support wireless DeX to Samsung Smart TVs.

Can I still use my phone while DeX is active?

Yes, when DeX is running on an external screen, you can still use your phone normally. You can also choose to use your phone screen as a touchpad for DeX.

Do all apps work with Samsung DeX?

Almost all Android apps work with DeX, but not all apps are optimized for the larger screen size. Optimized apps such as Microsoft Office adapt fully, while other apps may run in a smaller window.

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