Samsung DeX turns your Galaxy phone or tablet into a desktop-style computer on a bigger screen, by connecting it to a TV, a monitor or a PC. You start it from the DeX icon in Quick settings, choose DeX on TV or monitor or DeX on PC, and the DeX screen appears on the device you picked.
Here's the catch. Wireless DeX to a TV only works with Smart TVs that support Miracast, and the TV has to support screen mirroring. Samsung recommends a Samsung Smart TV made after 2019. If your TV or monitor can't do that, you're on the cable route, and that needs a DeX Station, a DeX Pad or an HDMI adapter.
Four ways to connect DeX, and what each needs
| Connection | What you need, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| TV or monitor, by cable | A DeX Station, DeX Pad or HDMI adapter |
| TV, wirelessly | A Smart TV that supports Miracast and screen mirroring |
| PC, by cable | A USB Type-C cable between your phone and the PC |
| PC, wirelessly | The DeX for PC program installed, with the PC and phone on the same Wi-Fi access point |
| Galaxy tablet on its own | Nothing extra: DeX runs on the tablet's own touchscreen |
Samsung's support pages, as of October 2026, describe DeX as an application that connects your phone or tablet to a TV, a monitor or a PC, and sum it up as having a PC in your pocket. Once you're connected, you can reach most of your apps from the big screen.
The accessories Samsung lists for wired DeX
For a wired connection, Samsung names these as the accessories that officially support DeX: the DeX Station (EE-MG950), the DeX Pad (EE-M5100) and HDMI adapters EE-HG950, EE-P5000, EE-I3100, EE-P3200 and EE-P5400. Two things are worth knowing before you buy anything. The officially supported accessories for phones are different from those for tablets and foldables, and model names can vary by country. Samsung also says adapters that aren't on its supported list may not be compatible, depending on their characteristics.
How to set up wireless DeX on a TV
- On your phone, open the Quick panel by swiping down, then tap DeX.
- Select your TV from the list of detected devices.
- Tap Start now on the Samsung DeX pop-up.
- Accept the connection request on the TV.
- Once they're connected, the Samsung DeX screen appears on the TV.
Wireless DeX arrived with the Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra, which is when Samsung dropped the need for a DeX Pad or cable to reach a Smart TV. Up to 5 apps can run at once on the TV in DeX mode. With a Samsung 4K TV released after 2017 on a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, DeX can show QHD at 2560 x 1440, sharper than FHD. For comparison, Smart View screen mirroring tops out at FHD, 1920x1080.
How to connect DeX to a Windows PC
The PC route needs one thing first: the DeX for PC program, which you download from the Samsung DeX website and install on your laptop or desktop.
- Swipe down to open the notifications panel on your phone and press DeX to turn it on.
- Select DeX on PC. If you see DeX on TV or monitor instead, select More options at the top right, then Switch to PC.
- Select your PC from the list of available devices and press Start now.
- Accept the connection request on the PC.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. When it's done, the DeX screen appears on the PC.
If it won't connect, Samsung's checklist is short. Make sure the Samsung DeX icon is in the system tray on the PC taskbar, and if it isn't, run the Samsung DeX program. Check that the PC and phone share the same Wi-Fi access point, ideally at 5 GHz for a smooth connection. And don't try the Connection feature built into Windows, because Samsung says that wireless route isn't supported.
Using DeX on a Galaxy tablet
Tablets get an option phones don't. You can run DeX straight on the tablet's touchscreen with no external display: swipe down to open the Notifications panel and select the DeX icon in Quick settings. You can also connect a monitor or TV by cable, or long press the same DeX icon to search for displays and connect one wirelessly.
What you can do once DeX is running
- Use your phone as a touchpad for the big screen, or use a keyboard to control everything.
- Share photos and presentations from your phone without downloading them to the PC first.
- Keep sending texts and answering calls while the phone is connected.
- Work with the major Microsoft apps, OneDrive and other cloud apps.
- Run separate apps on the TV and the phone at once in Dual mode, such as YouTube on the TV while you browse on the phone, or Samsung Notes on the phone while an online lecture plays on the TV.
To switch the touchpad on after you've connected, swipe down the Quick Panel and select Run with Touch Pad. From the Galaxy Note20 onwards, three-finger gestures make it feel more like a laptop trackpad.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
| Three-finger gesture | What it does |
|---|---|
| Swipe up | Back to the Recents page |
| Swipe down | Go to Home |
| Swipe left or right | Switch apps |
Samsung notes that screens and menus may vary depending on your device model and software version, so if a label looks slightly different on your Galaxy, look for the closest match in Quick settings.
My verdict on Samsung DeX
If your TV supports Miracast, start with wireless DeX, because there's nothing to buy and it's five steps. For a monitor that can't mirror, get an adapter from Samsung's supported list instead of a random one. For a PC, install DeX for PC before you touch the phone, and put both on the same Wi-Fi. If you're still choosing a phone and DeX matters to you, my Samsung and iPhone comparison covers the wider picture, and if the big screen makes your app layout feel messy, here's how to organise apps on Android.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a cable to use Samsung DeX?
Not always. Wireless DeX works with Smart TVs that support Miracast, and with a PC that has DeX for PC installed on the same Wi-Fi. A wired connection to a TV or monitor needs a DeX Station, DeX Pad or HDMI adapter.
Why won't wireless DeX find my TV?
Wireless DeX only works with Smart TVs that support Miracast, and the TV must support screen mirroring. Samsung recommends a Samsung Smart TV made after 2019.
How many apps can DeX run on a TV?
Up to 5 apps can be operated at once on the TV via DeX mode.
Can I use the Windows Connection feature for DeX?
No. Samsung says wireless connection using the Connection feature in Windows isn't supported. Use the DeX for PC program instead.
Can I use DeX on a tablet without a monitor?
Yes. On a Galaxy tablet you can run DeX directly on the touchscreen by selecting the DeX icon in Quick settings.
