How to Setup Samsung DeX on Mac – What Can You Do with that?

Samsung DeX was first announced with the launch of Samsung Galaxy S9 in 2018. At that initial stage of Samsung DeX, you are required to buy a DeX Pad which is a kind of dock that enables DeX on PC. But with the launch of Note 10, Samsung announced DeX inbuilt in Note 10. You don’t need to buy an extra accessory to use DeX on Mac or in Windows PC.

Samsung DeX on Mac Compatible Devices:

Right now Samsung DeX is available for all the lineups of Note 10, Note 9, Note 8, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8, Galaxy Tab 4, Galaxy Tab 5 & Galaxy Tab S6.

Read: How to get macOS cursor on Windows 10

If you own any of the above-mentioned devices, make sure your Samsung device is running on the latest Android version available for your device. Here I have Note 9 running on Android 10 and One UI 2.0.

To check if the latest Android is available for your Samsung device, go to Settings> Scroll all the way down and Tap on Software Update. Check if the new Android version is available. Make sure you update your device before setting up Samsung DeX on Mac.

How to Setup Samsung DeX on Mac

Samsung Dex is compatible with macOS 10.13 or above. So, if your macOS is running on the latest version of Catalina, you are good to go.

To set up Samsung DeX on Mac, simply follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Go to Samsung Website and download the Samsung DeX app on your Mac. You will find the Samsung DeX app for both Windows as well as for Mac. Once downloaded, install it.
2. Now, you need to download Android File Transfer for Mac. You can download it here from the official Android website. Once downloaded install it.
3. Now go to Mac settings, and go to Security & Privacy. In the Accessibility option, allow the Samsung DeX app. Tap on the lock, enter a password or use Touch ID. Allow the app, and tap the lock again to confirm.
4. Now connect your Samsung device to your Mac. On doing that, you will see a Samsung DeX notification on your Samsung device.
5. On your Samsung device, it will ask you if you want to ‘Cast on Samsung DeX’. Simply tap on ‘Start Now’.
6. Samsung DeX is now connected and working on your Mac.

On doing that, you will all the Samsung smartphone/tab apps, and notifications on your MacBook’s screen.

Along with that, you can also access images and videos in your Gallery. You can use WhatsApp to text and receive messages and whatnot.

Samsung DeX allows you to access the whole Samsung smartphone/tablet on your Mac.

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How to Use Samsung DeX on Macbook?

The Samsung DeX experience is really great on Mac. You will find all the options on the home screen itself. Before starting to access any app, make sure you turn on these 2 options that you get from the Samsung Lab button at the bottom.

At the bottom, you will see Notifications and the Connectivity option like Wifi, Bluetooth, etc. You can turn on Torch, Airplane Mode, Mobile Data, etc. from Samsung DeX on mac.

You can also access all your Notifications, and messages, from the Samsung DeX itself.

To access all the apps, simply tap on the Apps button at the Left-Bottom corner. Here you will see all the apps from your Samsung device on your Mac.

See Also: Best Screen Recording Apps for Mac

Multitasking on Samsung DeX is an absolute breeze. You can switch between the apps quickly and easily. Simply tap on the ‘Recent’ button to access running apps in the background.

How to Change Wallpaper, Keyboard in Samsung DeX?

Samsung DeX is basically a separate space that has its own wallpapers, Keyboard, and Pointers settings.

To change Wallpaper in Samsung DeX, simply go to Settings on Samsung DeX > Samsung DeX > Wallpapers. You can also use an image from the Gallery to use it as a Samsung DeX wallpaper.

By default, you will be able to use Macbook’s Keyboard to enter text but if you want Samsung’s Keyboard, make sure you tune your Samsung DeX keyboard settings.

To do that, turn on the On-Screen Keyboard to Monitor and turn on ‘Show Screen On Keyboard on Samsung DeX’ from Samsung DeX settings.

Can I use Voice Call/Video Call from Samsung DeX?

I tried to call Samsung DeX and it worked. You can definitely dial a number from Samsung DeX but you cannot use Macbook Mic & Speaker to talk on the phone. You need to use your Samsung device to speak and listen.

For video calls, I used WhatsApp and it worked great. You can definitely video call from Samsung DeX.

Can I watch YouTube & Other Video apps on Samsung DeX?

Definitely yes. While playing videos or music on Samsung DeX, you will hear audio from MacBook’s speakers. You can watch videos on YouTube. I also tried to play videos on Instagram, Netflix, YouTube. These 3 apps worked great. You can definitely watch videos on these apps.

But

You cannot watch LIVE TV on your Samsung DeX. Apps like Disney+ Hotstar, which provides you LIVE TV doesn’t work on Samsung DeX. Just like Disney+ Hotstar, you cannot watch content on SonyLIV which also provides you with live tv streaming. You can listen to audio but due to protected content policies, you cannot watch the video of these apps on Samsung DeX.

Due to some reasons, Amazon Prime Video simply refuses to even open the app on Samsung DeX. So, you cannot access any kind of content from Amazon Prime Video on Samsung DeX.

For listening to music, you can definitely access apps like Gaana, Spotify, Saavn. You can even watch videos on Spotify but just like Prime Video, Amazon Music also refuses to even open the app on Samsung DeX.

Read: How to Fix Frozen Touch Bar on Macbook Pro

Can I play Games on Samsung DeX?

I know this is coming. Here is the answer. Yes, you can run games on Samsung DeX. I tried to run PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, Asphalt 8, and Monument Valley on Samsung DeX.

Here is what happened. PUBG Mobile is running but you cannot play the game. As you need touch controls for that. The mouse doesn’t seem practical. You can use W, A, S, D keys to move the character but again, it is not possible to play the game. Some of the apps simply refuse to open because they are meant to play with touch controls only. All in all, it is not a pleasure to play games on Samsung DeX.

Samsung DeX for Office Work?

Apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Lightroom are completely compatible with Samsung DeX. Sending and receiving e-mails on Gmail is also a breeze. You can definitely use Samsung DeX as your office computer. Here are other apps you can use with Samsung DeX.

Samsung DeX Not Working?

Are you having trouble while using Samsung DeX on Mac? If Samsung DeX is not working for you, make sure you have the latest version of Android on your Samsung Device. The latest version is Android 10 and One UI 2.0. Also, make sure your device is compatible with your Samsung Device.

For Mac, you should have macOS Catalina 10.13. Although the macOS Catalina latest version is 10.15.2. If you can see any Software update on the Macbook, you should update it.

If you have all the latest gadgets but still Samsung DeX is not working, you can try installing Samsung SmartSwitch. Download it here. If Samsung DeX still not working, uninstall the Samsung DeX app and re-install it. Also, you need to tap the ‘Start Now’ button on your Samsung device after connecting it to your Mac. See step #5 again.

Use Samsung DeX on Mac – Final Words

Samsung DeX is pretty fun to use. You can definitely use all the apps on your Samsung DeX. Although, it is not meant for entertainment purposes. You can use it as your workstation. You can access the web from the Samsung DeX, you can add notes, calendars, and Calls.

If you own a compatible Samsung device for Samsung DeX, you can definitely give it a try.