What is Samsung DeX? How to turn your phone into a desktop with Samsung Dex

Looking for a phone or tablet that's a little different than the norm? Samsung's 2018 flagship lineup has DeX, a hidden mode. DeX is capable of bringing a traditional desktop experience to people right on their phones.

Key content about Samsung Dex

What is Samsung DeX?

Samsung DeX is the desktop mode on Samsung flagship phones. You can enable it manually or set it to automatically turn on when connecting to certain devices.

You can connect the device to a dock and use it as a PC via a host, keyboard and mouse.

If you don't have a keyboard and mouse to access the DeX desktop environment, you can use your phone as an input device.

How DeX Improves Work Productivity

If your phone suddenly turns into a computer, your work efficiency will increase significantly.

All your apps and games will be there, but you'll only have access to the ones that are relevant to your work. With your mouse and keyboard connected, you can instantly reply to client emails, edit documents, use Excel, or whatever productivity tool you want.

What is Samsung DeX? How to turn your phone into a desktop with Samsung Dex
DeX for a Windows PC-like experience

If you use these features through your TV, using your phone as a compact PC, you will see how magical DeX is.

DeX offers a Windows desktop experience, with open programs on the bottom left and notifications in the Windows System Tray on the right. Open the app menu by clicking the grid-shaped button.

DeX allows multiple apps to be displayed, either in windowed or full-screen mode. It gives you the feeling of using a real computer, not just a phone mode.

Which phones support Samsung DeX?

DeX is currently only available on Samsung devices released in 2018 or later, and unfortunately not all. Samsung DeX is available on the Galaxy S8/S8+, Note 8+, Tab S4 and later tablets.

Samsung DeX app drawer

To use DeX on your phone, you need to connect the USB-C port on your device to an HDMI display. You can use Samsung's dedicated DeX cable, a docking station, which has USB and HDMI ports to connect other devices; third-party docks are also available.

Meanwhile, if you're using a compatible Samsung Galaxy Tab Sx device, a connected display isn't necessary (though it's still an option). After all, a 10-inch display is more than enough.

How to open Samsung Dex on your phone

To open Dex mode on a supported Samsung phone, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings tray and swipe across to find the Samsung Dex button, click to turn on Samsung Dex, switching the phone to computer mode.

What is Samsung DeX? How to turn your phone into a desktop with Samsung Dex

You can also enable Samsung Dex from Settings > Advanced features . In this setting, in addition to enabling/disabling Samsung Dex, you also have the option to automatically launch Samsung Dex when connecting to the Samsung Cover Keyboard, connecting the HDMI cable to the USB-C port.

If you want, you can change your desktop wallpaper, change mouse and keyboard settings in Dex mode, and change the sound when connecting to an HDMI device.

Configure Samsung DeX settings

DeX settings allow you to define the behavior of the app.

For example, you can turn DeX on and off. There are also toggles for Auto start when Book Cover Keyboard is connected and Auto start when HDMI is connected .

Both options are useful when used individually and in combination with each other, especially when connecting a Samsung device to a USB hub or docking station.

You can also specify Screen timeout for connected display (10 minutes delay by default) and while DeX is enabled, select and set Wallpapers for Samsung DeX , adjust Display resolution , and tweak Keyboard, Mouse/trackpad , and S Pen input mode settings . Samsung DeX settings also let you toggle whether the environment can play sound on connected displays ( Play sound on connected displays ) and can access new features via the Samsung DeX Labs sub-menu.

What is Samsung DeX? How to turn your phone into a desktop with Samsung Dex
Configure Samsung DeX settings

Samsung DeX's weaknesses

While DeX provides a pretty smooth experience, it still doesn’t make you forget you’re using Android. One major drawback is that DeX doesn’t recognize many Android gestures when using apps, and the interface is also designed more for keyboard and mouse use.

While some apps run fine on Dex, some are stuck in portrait mode, and some won't even open.

However, DeX is still a good desktop experience for those urgent, unexpected times when you need to use your computer.

See also:

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

The Best Diets for Heart Health

The Best Diets for Heart Health

In addition to regular exercise and not smoking, diet is one of the best ways to protect your heart. Here are the best diets for heart health.

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

The third trimester is often the most difficult time to sleep during pregnancy. Here are some ways to treat insomnia in the third trimester.

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

There are many ways to lose weight without changing anything in your diet. Here are some scientifically proven automatic weight loss or calorie-burning methods that anyone can use.

All about iOS 26

All about iOS 26

Apple has introduced iOS 26 – a major update with a brand new frosted glass design, smarter experiences, and improvements to familiar apps.

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga can provide many health benefits, including better sleep. Because yoga can be relaxing and restorative, its a great way to beat insomnia after a busy day.

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

The flower of the other shore is a unique flower, carrying many unique meanings. So what is the flower of the other shore, is the flower of the other shore real, what is the meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore?

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Craving for snacks but afraid of gaining weight? Dont worry, lets explore together many types of weight loss snacks that are high in fiber, low in calories without making you try to starve yourself.

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and evening routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. Heres what you need to know to stop tossing and turning at night.

How to add a printer to Windows 10

How to add a printer to Windows 10

Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

Diet is important to our health. Yet most of our meals are lacking in these six important nutrients.

How to get beautiful nails quickly

How to get beautiful nails quickly

You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.

The best laptops for students in 2025

The best laptops for students in 2025

Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. It should not only be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but also compact and light enough to carry around all day.

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Birth defects are something no one wants. Although they cannot be completely prevented, you can take the following steps to reduce the risk of birth defects in your baby.

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

As you know, RAM is a very important hardware part in a computer, acting as memory to process data and is the factor that determines the speed of a laptop or PC. In the article below, WebTech360 will introduce you to some ways to check for RAM errors using software on Windows.

Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers

Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers

The automatic home coffee maker is a modern and professional product, bringing you and your family delicious cups of coffee with just a few quick steps.