Your Samsung Galaxy The phone does not work just as a phone: thanks to a function called Samsung DeXwhich has been around since 2017, allows you to connect your phone to a monitor or computer and use it in a similar way to a desktop PC. DeX is short for “desktop experience” and that’s what the feature promises.
There are some caveats here. You need a fairly recent, top-of-the-line Samsung phone or tablet to use DeX – there’s a full list herebut any Galaxy S, Galaxy Fold, or Galaxy Flip phone released since DeX debuted in 2017 will do.
You’ll also need a cable to connect your phone (or tablet) to a monitor, and a spare mouse and keyboard if you want a proper desktop experience. (You can use DeX on your phone’s screen, but you won’t get all of its benefits.)
While you’ll still be using the same mobile apps you have on your phone, the extra screen real estate gives you a lot more room to operate, whether you’re browsing the web or working on a spreadsheet. DeX can be very useful for getting some work done on the go, but it’s also perfect for watching movies or browsing social media.
Connect
There are a few ways to get Samsung DeX up and running, but the two main methods are to connect the device to a monitor via HDMI or to a Windows PC via USB. (Sadly, it’s no longer supported on macOS.) While the hardware configuration varies slightly, the software experience on the monitor will be the same.
If you do everything on your phone without a PC, you’ll need a cable (or cable and adapter) that will convert the USB-C output on your Samsung phone to the HDMI input on your monitor. Any listing for USB-C to HDMI cables should tell you whether or not they’re suitable for the task. For the full experience, you’ll also need a monitor with additional USB ports to connect your keyboard and mouse.
