What if the only device you needed for your workday was already in your pocket? With Samsung DeX, your Samsung Galaxy smartphone can transform into a desktop-style workspace as soon as you connect it to a monitor.
For you, that could mean one less device to carry, charge, and keep track of. For your business, it could mean a more flexible and secure way to equip teams for work. Whether you’re connecting to DeX for the first time or planning a company-wide rollout, this guide walks you through what you need to know in 2026.
Table of contents:
What is Samsung DeX?
DeX is a software platform that turns your Galaxy smartphone or tablet into a desktop-style computing environment. Connect to a monitor and you get resizable windows, drag-and-drop functionality, keyboard shortcuts, and more—all powered by your Galaxy device.
Think of it this way: You’re not buying another computer. You’re unlocking the desktop potential already built into the device in your pocket.
Setup and what you need
Turning your Galaxy device into a desktop workspace is easier than you might think. DeX is available on select Galaxy smartphones and tablets. To check whether your specific device and software support DeX, visit this page.
Connecting your Galaxy device to a standard monitor only requires a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a compatible docking accessory.1 From there:
- Connect your adapter to your monitor's HDMI port.
- Plug your Galaxy device into the adapter via USB-C.
- The DeX interface will launch automatically on your monitor.
- Connect a keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth or USB, depending on your adapter.
Which adapter is best?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer—it really comes down to where and how you plan to use DeX. Here’s a quick look at the three main options and where each one fits best.
DeX HDMI adapter: Conveniently light and portable option. It’s small enough to slip into a pocket and connects your phone to any standard HDMI cable on your monitor. With no extra USB ports, you’ll need a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. For longer sessions, wireless charging can help keep your battery topped up.
- Best for: on-the-go users who travel light.
DeX cable: A USB-C to HDMI cable that plugs directly into your monitor. It’s ideal if you plan to use Samsung DeX primarily in one location and want a cable-ready workstation. Like the HDMI adapter, it requires Bluetooth peripherals.
- Best for: fixed desks and hot-desking deployments.
DeX multiport adapter: The most versatile of the three. Along with HDMI output, it includes a USB 3.0 port for a wired keyboard or mouse, Gigabit Ethernet for a stable wired connection, and a USB-C passthrough port to keep your device charged.
- Best for: power users and IT teams that need more connectivity options.
The quick rule: Choose the HDMI adapter if you travel light, the DeX cable if you mostly work from one desk, and the multiport adapter if you want more connectivity options.
Using Samsung DeX with your PC
Still want to use your computer? You absolutely can. DeX isn’t limited to external monitors. With DeX for PC, you can connect your Galaxy device directly to a computer using your standard USB-C charging cable.
Once the DeX for PC app is installed and your phone is connected, DeX launches automatically. You can run it full screen or as a floating window alongside your existing applications. Notifications, messages, and calls are accessible from your laptop screen, and you can move files between devices with drag and drop.
Two devices, one screen, and less switching back and forth.
Navigating the Samsung DeX interface
DeX is designed to feel familiar from the start, but a few shortcuts can help you find your footing even faster (and save a few clicks)!
- Apps tray: The grid icon at the bottom left opens all your phone's apps, arranged exactly as they appear on your device. Use the search bar to find what you need quickly.
- Phone as touchpad: No mouse? You can use your phone's screen as a trackpad from the notification panel—handy for presentations or temporary setups. S Pen users can also navigate DeX with the stylus.
- Quick settings: Your familiar swipe-down menu is accessible in DeX mode. Battery life, Wi-Fi, and cellular signal are all available, along with a virtual keyboard, volume controls, screen capture, and your calendar.
- Screen mirroring vs. DeX mode: When you connect to a monitor, you can choose between screen mirroring and DeX. Mirroring duplicates your phone display, while DeX gives you a desktop-optimized workspace built for productivity.
- DeX Labs: For power users, DeX Labs unlocks experimental features, including forced app resizing for apps not yet optimized for DeX. Turn it on to virtually expand any app to full screen.
Can Samsung DeX replace your PC?
For many everyday work tasks—including email, documents, spreadsheets, video calls, and web research—DeX is a capable replacement.2 You can run multiple apps simultaneously on a full-size display, with the familiar feel of a desktop environment.
For individuals, the appeal is simple: one less device to carry and maintain. Connect your phone to a monitor at home and get straight to work. Take a portable adapter on the road and your workspace travels with you.
For businesses and IT teams, DeX can also support flexible workspace scenarios. Instead of assigning a dedicated PC to every employee, organizations can set up hot-desking stations with a monitor, cable, and keyboard. Employees can connect their device and pick up where they left off, while IT can centrally manage apps, devices, and security policies.
Enterprise-grade security with Samsung Knox
Every Galaxy device running DeX is protected by Samsung Knox, a defense-grade security platform built into the hardware from the chip up. Active from the moment a device powers on, Samsung Knox helps secure corporate data whether employees are at a desk or working remotely.
Samsung Knox capabilities for Samsung DeX deployments
- Knox Platform for Enterprise gives IT admins government-grade controls, including containerization, app allowlisting and blocklisting, and granular policy enforcement.
- Knox Manage extends that control remotely across your Galaxy fleet, including DeX-connected workstations.
- Knox Mobile Enrollment helps IT teams enroll devices in bulk with less manual setup.
- Biometric authentication helps ensure that only authorized users can access corporate resources, which is especially important in shared hot-desking environments.
- Secure Folder keeps personal and professional data cleanly separated on the same device, with independent encryption protecting each side.
Already using a unified endpoint management (UEM) or mobile device management (MDM) solution? Samsung Knox integrates directly with leading platforms, adding Samsung-specific controls without requiring you to replace your existing infrastructure.
Business benefits of Samsung DeX
Using a single managed device per employee can create meaningful benefits across your organization.
- Reduced hardware costs: fewer dedicated PCs and laptops to configure, secure, and update.
- Simplified IT management: one device per employee means fewer endpoints to configure, secure, and update.
- Improved productivity: move between locations without losing context—drop in, connect, get to work.
- Stronger security posture: centralized control across the fleet, with real-time visibility and remote management tools.
- Business continuity: work doesn’t have to stop when employees step away from a fixed desk; a compatible monitor can become a workstation.
Get started with Samsung DeX
Your Galaxy device already does a lot. With DeX, it can do even more—on a bigger screen, with more room to work.
DISCLAIMERS
1. Monitor connection requires a display with DisplayPort support.
2. Certain apps may not run or may require a separate license (for purchase) on Samsung DeX.
