What Is Samsung DeX Mode And How To Use It

If you are a Samsung phone user then you should learn how to connect it to your Windows computer and convert the screen into a full-fledged Android PC. Samsung DeX is software that lets you connect your Samsung device to the computer, wired or wirelessly, and use it as if it were a standalone operating system.

With Samsung DeX, your mobile can become a powerful computer and you can run all your Android apps and programs from the phone onto the computer screen. In this post, I will show you how to download and set up Samsung DeX so you can get rid of the limited Phone Link and the Intel Unison apps and use Samsung proprietary software to connect your phone to the PC and use it as a powerhouse.

What is Samsung Dex?

Samsung DeX is a smart casting feature, supported on select Samsung devices, that allows you to project the Android operating system on your phone onto a Miracast-supported screen. DeX will convert the Android operating system and project it as if it were a standalone operating system running on your PC.

Samsung DeX can be connected both using a USB cable and wirelessly, provided that the display supports it. If going for a wireless connection, both the screen and the phone should be connected to the same network. Otherwise, for a more stable connection with minimum latency, a wired connection between the phone and the computer is recommended.

What devices support Samsung Dex?

Not all Samsung devices support DeX. However, most flagship phones have supported it since 2018. Here is a list of Samsung smartphones that support Samsung Dex at the time of writing this post:

• DeX Pad and DeX Station:
  • S8 series
  • S9 series
  • S10 series
  • S20 series
  • S21 series
  • S22 series
  • S23 series
  • Note8
  • Note9
  • Note 10 series
  • Note 20 series
• DeX cable or HDMI cable:
  • S8 series
  • S9 series
  • S10 series
  • S20 series
  • S21 series
  • S22 series
  • S23 series
  • Note 8
  • Note 9
  • Note 10 series
  • Note 20 series
  • Fold
  • Z Fold 2
  • Z Fold 3
  • Z Fold 4
  • Z Fold 5
  • A90 5G
  • Tab S4
  • Tab S5e
  • Tab Active Pro
  • Tab S6
  • Tab S7 series
  • Tab S8 series
  • Tab S9 series (excluding Tab S9 FE)
  • Tab Active 3
• Wireless DeX with a TV/Monitor:
  • S9 series
  • S10 series
  • S20 series
  • S21 series
  • S22 series
  • S23 series
  • Note 9
  • Note 10 series
  • Note 20 series
  • Fold
  • Z Fold 2
  • Z Fold 3
  • Z Fold 4
  • A90 5G
  • Tab S5e
  • Tab S6
  • Tab S7 series
  • Tab S8 series
  • Tab S9 series (excluding Tab S9 FE)
  • Tab Active 3
• DeX on PC:
  • S9 series
  • S10 series
  • S20 series
  • S21 series
  • S22 series
  • S23 series
  • Note 9
  • Note 10 series
  • Note 20 series
  • Fold
  • Z Fold 2
  • Z Fold 3
  • Z Fold 4
  • A90 5G

To get the latest list of supported Samsung hardware, refer to the official Samsung website.

Support for Samsung DeX is not only dependent on the hardware – the PC’s operating system also matters. Previously Windows 7 also supported Samsung DeX. However, the version for that has been discontinued. Now, Samsung DeX can only be installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Set up Samsung DeX

1. Start by downloading Samsung DeX from Samsung’s website.

   

2. Once downloaded, run the executable file. The installation wizard will launch.

3. Agree to the licensing terms and click Next.

   

4. Now click Install.

   

   Samsung DeX will now begin installing.

5. Once installed, close the installer.

6. Connect your Samsung device with the DeX wire. If planning on connecting wirelessly, make sure that both devices are on the same network.

7. On your Samsung device, drop down the quick panel and click the “DeX” button.

   

8. (In case of wireless connectivity) Select the device to make the connection.

   

9. Now click “Start now.”

   

10. Now, on the PC screen, select the permissions and click Allow.

    

11. Back on the Samsung device, click Start.

    

After performing the steps above, the mobile’s screen will be extended onto the computer screen, like in the image below:

From here, you can get the complete PC experience while using your mobile screen as a touchpad to navigate the mouse. Now, you can launch all apps, and programs, and perform the same functions on the bigger screen as you could on the phone.

When connected via Samsung DeX to a PC or a screen, you can use the mobile’s screen as a touchpad. To engage the touchpad, click the tiny window appearing in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

This will turn your phone’s screen almost blank and only show a few buttons and a grid, making it easier for you to hover the mouse on the screen using your phone as a touchpad.

In case you want to use your phone as a regular phone without terminating the DeX connection, double-tap the “X” button on the screen. In case you want to end the DeX connection, simply toggle the “DeX” button in the quick navigation bar.

What can Samsung DeX be used for?

Technically, Samsung DeX can be used for each and everything you can do on your phone that requires a screen. Of course, it is not ideal for making phone calls, but making video calls with a DeX connection expands the tiny phone onto the bigger PC screen. That being said, it is not wise to keep your phone connected to the PC using DeX at all times. If so, you should rather invest in a laptop instead. So what should DeX be used for?

Samsung Dex is an excellent tool for people who normally work from their phones. Creating presentations, editing Excel sheets, and sorting PDF files can all be done better in DeX Mode, rather than directly on the phone.

To sum up, DeX Mode is ideal for situations to enhance productivity without having to carry a laptop with you everywhere. Additionally, all work can be saved directly on the phone, and be shared via emails, Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi Direct, and Nearby Sharing. DeX will give you the full PC experience, without the bulkiness.

However, to get the most out of your phone during DeX Mode, you might need some additional assistance from certain phone accessories.

Recommended accessories for Samsung DeX

If you want to maximize your productivity while using Samsung DeX mode, you should attach a keyboard and your mouse to your phone. But how can you connect a mouse and a keyboard to your Samsung Phone when it only has a Type-C USB adapter?

This can be achieved with the “DeX pad” and the “DeX Station.” Both of these devices are Samsung products designed to make your lives easier. These are centralized hubs that have a Type-C port on which your phone sits, and have other ports, like USB A ports, for additional peripheral connectivity.

When using either of these devices, you can connect the dongle or a mouse/keyboard’s wire directly to the DeX pad or the station, all the while it is connected to the DeX for PC. This will make navigating the mouse and inputting characters much more convenient than using the phone’s screen for guided navigation.

Note that the market is filled with similar products which can also be used for the same purposes. However, we recommend that you use Samsung devices that are optimized and designed for serving the DeX Mode.

Takeaway

Most Samsung devices that support DeX are flagships, and thus, pack a powerful punch with both a strong CPU and fast and ample memory. The best way to get your money’s worth from these devices is to use them in DeX Mode and replace (at least partially) your laptops for everyday tasks.